Some UF professors have qualms with the university's handling of a new state law intended to give students time to find the best deals on textbooks.
Members of UF's Academic Policy Council met Wednesday and discussed the textbook affordability law, which was passed July 1 by the Florida Legislature and requires professors to post their course textbook information with ISBNs on the colleges' Web sites 30 days before classes start.
John Leavey, UF English professor, said the new law requires extra time of the faculty, which he added is stretched following layoffs.
Danaya Wright, council chairwoman and UF law professor, said the Faculty Senate should hold an informational session to educate professors about the law.
Wright said it was important for faculty to maintain a relationship with local bookstores by listing them in the textbook information as suggested vendors.
Some council members had issues with the fine policy UF implemented for courses that did not list textbooks online.
Joe Glover, UF provost, said at least 90 percent of departments' entire curriculums must have textbook information posted or there would be a $10 fine for every missing adoption.
Glover said the fine policy was added at UF, even though it was not part of the bill, to prove to the state that UF will be enforcing the new law. He said any money collected would be reallocated in the school.
"I'm looking to collect zero dollars," he said.
