Bookstore FAQs for Faculty

Textbook Adoption Due Dates:

Fall Semester
March 1
Spring Semester
October 1
Summer Semester
March 1

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Why do I have to turn in my textbook orders so early?

The bookstore requires textbook orders early for a number of reasons.

It gives the bookstore enough time to investigate books which are out of print, old editions or need to be imported. While those books are often available, they can be difficult to locate. When they are unavailable, it gives you enough time to select an alternative title if you wish. This is especially important for books being required for the Spring and Summer terms. The time between terms is much less.

In an effort to obtain the most used copies of a book for your students, the bookstore searches multiple avenues. All bookstores are searching for books at the same time, and if your order is turned in late, the quantity of used books that students would like will not be available.

A timely textbook order saves students money. At the end of term, students can sell their books back to the bookstore for 50% of the retail value of the book. However, if the bookstore does not know about the orders for the coming term before that, the book cannot be bought. Any book purchased from a student is then sold for 25% off the new book price in the coming term. So, a late book order could end up costing students more money in the long run, if your order is turned in late.

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How do I order a textbook?

Whenever your order you books, please have the following information ready:

  1. Department, e.g. English
  2. Course, e.g. 321
  3. CRN, e.g. 1128
  4. Start Date
  5. Estimated enrollment
  6. Book information, e.g. author, title, edition, ISBN

There are three ways to turn in your orders.

  1. Through the website.
    • Log in or create a user name. You should only have to do this once.
    • Click the "Faculty" tab at the top of the page.
    • Choose the link under "Submitting Textbook Requests Online."
    • Go through Steps 1-5.
      1. Fill in your contact information
      2. Select your class using the drop down menus. You may only select one at a time. Otherwise the books you select after changing classes will be submitted for the wrong class. After that, the sections will be listed. You can select all sections or just one at a time. From here, you can edit the professor, the estimated enrollment and the section number. Only select all sections if the book for each section is the same. If it is not the same, you can select one at a time. Either select "Done" or "No Course Material Required". If "No Course Material Required" is selected, you can skip to Step 5 and "Continue." Otherwise, move to Step 3.
      3. Enter the ISBN or the Author and Title for the text you would like to select and click "Search." This will bring you to a new window. Verify that the information you are viewing is correct. If it is, check the box labeled "Yes. Add this title to my course's book list." If it is not correct, click "Back to Search." Do this for as many books as you need for your class.
      4. If there is anything special required for your class, such as calculators or lab goggles, change the "No" to "Yes." Then, input as much information as you can about the items you wish to include as class materials. Then click "Add Materials."
      5. Include any additional information about the class that might be helpful such as the start date, if the books are included as part of the tuition, or if the class is a continuation class from the previous semester.
    • Select the "Continue" button at the bottom of the page.
    • Double check this page to make sure that the information entered here is correct for your class.
      • If YES, select "Print and Send to Bookstore." This will bring you back to the page where you can select new classes and course materials. The only information you should have to reenter is the contact email and phone number. The reason it is set up this way is so that administrative assistants are able to input books for faculty members and have the confirmation information be received by the faculty member.
      • If NO, select "Make Changes." This takes you back to the page where you originally input the class and course material information. The information you originally input for the class is still in there. You can change the class from here or the course materials.
  2. Fax over your order to 503.287.0350.
  3. Email the bookstore.
  4. Come by the store.

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What resources are available if I cannot decide which text to use?

The best resource to use is the Faculty Center Network. This site allows you to view excerpts from books in print, read feedback from other professors who have used a particular title and order desk copies. Registration takes 24 hours.

Another resource is the bookstore website. This allows you to view books you have used in previous semesters.

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What if I turn in my order late?

Any late orders run the risk of not being on the shelf at the beginning of class or of not having very many used books available for purchase.

All late orders requiring expedited shipping will have the shipping charges billed to the respective department.

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