SPG-3202/AA: Course Materials

Both RG-3202/A and SPG-3202/AA address the adoption of course materials.

Here is PCCEA's Statement on SPG-3202/AA:

PCCEA Memo

To: Chancellor Flores
From: Ana Jiménez, PCCEA Vice-President
Date: February 1, 2009
RE: Draft SPG-3202/AA: Course Materials

Thank you for inviting public comment about Pima's policies, regulations, and practice guides. Our comments today concern the proposed BOG Standard Practice Guide SPG-3202/AA: Course Materials. PCCEA appreciates the College's diligence in ensuring that College Policies adhere to state law and we recognize the value of implementing standard practices for all College employees. However, we have some areas of concern with regard to how this SPG delineates the interpretation and implementation of ARS 13-1891.

Concerns
· Section B. Faculty members are directed to request in writing information about the class materials from the publishers. The burden of requesting this information most often will fall on the shoulders of the Department Chairs and Lead Faculty, who typically already are overburdened with the tasks of scheduling, staffing and securing course materials. It is not clear in the language used if this information must be requested every semester for every class material item or if this language only refers to changes in class materials (e.g., adopting a new edition or a new text book in the Spring that is different from what was adopted in the preceding Fall semester). Obviously, the latter interpretation places a much more reasonable burden on the faculty. PCCEA requests that Item B specifically state that the information requested be limited to semesters in which a new material is selected.
· Section C. Regarding ownership of free review copies, the Guide states, "Such materials provided by the publisher at no charge are presumed to be the property of the faculty member or employee." Are we to assume, then, that as owners of such materials, faculty may dispose of those materials however they see fit? PCCEA requests an addendum that states faculty are permitted to dispose of their property as they deem appropriate.

Of less importance are various grammatical errors that also need to be addressed. We are happy to assist with those corrections if a Word file is provided to facilitate the modification process.

The Standard Practice Guide (SPG) is based on the Arizona statute (ARS 15-1891) that was passed last year and reflects that language almost verbatim. Below is a link to an Arizona Board of Regents summary. It briefly states the law and reviews its impact.
http://www.abor.asu.edu/1_the_regents/meetings/board_book/2008-09-Sep/Item-09-2008-09.pdf

Some important topics in the SPG include:

• the duties delineated in ARS 15-1891 that are the responsibility of Department Chairs/Lead Faculty.
• the definition of Free Review Copies as property of Faculty.
• the prohibition of book buyers to solicit Faculty for the purchase of Free Review Copies.

To view the College's Draft SPG, click here.

To add your own comment or view other comments, click the "comments" link below.

Be sure to formally submit your comments to the College by visiting the official Draft Policy Website: http://www.pima.edu/policies/drafts.shtml