Questions and Answers

For Faculty

Who pays for the Instructional Resource Rental system?

• A designated portion of undergraduate tuition called student segregated fees is the sole funding source for the Instructional Resource Rental program.

How do I get a desk copy of the text I plan to use?

• You or your program assistant must request a complimentary desk copy directly from the publisher, at the same time you place your order with the bookstore.
• For desk copies on short notice, the Instructional Resource Rental Department offers a Deposit Agreement. Deposits can be made with a personal credit card, check, cash or department procurement card. You will be asked to put the full retail price of the text, plus tax, on deposit at the IRR Department. If the book is returned, with receipt, to the IRR Department within 60 days, the full deposit will be refunded.

How many titles may I order?

• All classes are guaranteed one text - so please identify one title as your primary resource. Secondary titles may also be requested, and will be stocked if there is money in the Instructional Resource Rental Department budget after changes in primary texts have been processed. The final decision to add materials to the IRR inventory is made by the IRR Committee, based on the available budget. These guidelines apply:
  • The text must have a retail selling price of more than $30. If that price is $30 or less, the material must be purchased by the student. Call 836.2172 for information about ordering these course books.
  • Priority will be given if you do not have a primary resource currently in use and the total cost of the resources you request does not exceed $150.
  • Requests received after the order deadline for each term will have the lowest priority and may be denied.
  • If your publisher representative has suggested a package for your course, the IRR Department and IRR Committee will review your request on a case-by-case basis.

How long do I have to use a text before I can change it?

• You may request a different text every semester, if you really feel the need - but priorities will be set according to the following guidelines:
  • A Discard Authorization Form for the current text must accompany the request for a new title. The discard process is the same as outlined above.
  • Hardcover books that have been in use for at least six semesters (or three years), and paperback books that have been in use for at least four semesters (or two years), will have top priority for change.
  • Hardcover books used fewer than six semesters, or paperbacks used fewer than four semesters, will be ranked in descending order - with a book being used only one semester having lowest priority for available dollars.
  • Spiral-bound textbooks are evaluated by the same guidelines established for paperback texts.
  • Requests received after the order deadline for each term will have the lowest priority and may be denied.

What if my text goes out of print?

• The Instructional Resource Rental Department will notify you if your text goes out of print, and will retain the text for one semester. You will have that one semester to select another text. Once you have determined what your new text will be, complete a Discard Authorization Form for the current title and submit it with your new order. Requests for new titles must be accompanied by a Discard Authorization Form for the current text; the discard process is the same as outlined above.

Who decides which titles are ordered?

• If the Instructional Resource Rental Department determines that the budget is becoming depleted before all requests are processed, a subcommittee of the IRR Committee will rank requests in order of priority. Requests will be approved as funding is available, and a waiting list will be maintained for future processing. The final decision to add materials to the IRR inventory is made by the IRR Committee, based on the available budget.

Who decides what rental course materials are thrown away?

• You do. If you are choosing a new text and wish to discontinue using your current text, complete a Discard Authorization Form and return it to the Instructional Resource Rental Department with your new order. Requests for new titles must be accompanied by the Discard Authorization Form.
• The IRR Department will remove from its inventory any textbook that has not been used in a course for more than two years. The instructor will be informed of the pending removal; the discard process is the same as outlined above.
• If you decide to discard an IRR resource, be aware that a title is removed from the IRR Department when the replacement has been received.

Do my students need to return Instructional Resource Rental Department materials that are going to be discarded?

• Students must return all of their rental materials by the last day of final exams or they will be fined, and they can be billed for the replacement cast of the texts if they are not returned. Students have been confused when instructors have told them that the rental resource they are using will be discarded. The students assume - incorrectly - that they do not need to return that text to the Instructional Resource Rental Department.

Can my students purchase their texts?

• Yes. Encourage them to stock their professional libraries by buying their textbooks. Students may buy any of the resources in the Instructional Resource Rental Department - even those used in courses they may not be taking at the time. A purchase period is set every semester, when students may buy rental materials for 25% off the replacement price. They may buy their materials any time during the discount period. IRR Department materials can't be purchased at any other time, since the staff needs to take stock of inventory for the following term.

When do students have to return their textbooks?

• The last day students may return Instructional Resource Rental Department materials without a fine is the last day of final exams... But books may be returned at any time before then, and may be brought back one at a time. It is recommended that students retain all receipts for verification of materials both rented and returned to the IRR Department.

I teach a 700-level graduate course. Can my students get rental materials through the IRR Department?

• No. All books and instructional resource materials for "graduate only" courses (numbered in the 700's) must be purchased by the student. Call 836.2172 for these course book orders.

Who manages the rental program budget?

• On a day-to-day basis, the University Bookstore manager oversees the rental program budget. The budget is developed by University Centers, approved by the University Senate, and reviewed by the Instructional Resource Rental Committee. The IRR Committee is advisory to the Vice Chancellor for Business and Student Services. The final decision to add materials to the IRR inventory is made by the IRR Committee, based on the available budget.

Who makes up the IRR committee?

• Formed in 1990, the Instructional Resource Rental Committee is comprised of five University of W-Eau Claire instructional faculty/staff (appointed for three-year terms); five students (appointed annually); and four ex-officio and non-voting members.
• Instructional faculty/staff members who are interested in appointment to the IRR Committee may contact the Vice Chancellor for Business and Student Services, 836.3279. Students may contact the UW-Eau Claire Student Senate Office, 836.4646.

What does the IRR committee do?

• These are the functions of the Instructional Resource Rental Committee:
  • Recommend policies concerning instructional resource rental materials and services that support the curriculum and academic programs of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
  • Monitor the practices and procedures of the Instructional Resource Rental Department and the requests of the instructional staff.
  • Review the Instructional Resource Rental Department budget.
  • Make final decisions to add materials to the IRR inventory based on the available budget.