PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 478-165 WAC, Cost savings in course materials.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28B.10.590 and 28B.20.130.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes to RCW 28B.10.590, by the 2009 legislature (chapter 241, Laws of 2009), require the University of Washington to amend chapter 478-165 WAC, Cost savings in course materials.
The statute now requires bookstores affiliated with the university to disclose information to students on required course materials including but not limited to title, authors, edition, price, and international standard book number (ISBN) at least four weeks before the start of the class for which the materials are required. The statute also authorizes the chief academic officer to waive the disclosure requirements on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to encouraging faculty and staff to assign the least costly acceptable course materials, the statute now encourages adopting free or open on-line textbooks and working with librarians to create free on-line web or library resources.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Written comments or inquiries may be directed to Rebecca Goodwin Deardorff, director of rules coordination by one of the following routes: Mail: University of Washington, Rules Coordination Office, Box 351210, Seattle, WA 98195–1210; e-mail rules@uw.edu; or fax (206) 685–3825.
February 8, 2010
Rebecca Goodwin Deardorff
Director of Rules Coordination