APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT April 10, 1992
 
  A.        Policy
 
                 It is a basic principle of good education that an
                 instructor should prescribe the best instructional
                 materials available.  When such materials include
                 books, manuals, or other aids authored by the
                 instructor of the course or by a colleague, great care
                 must be taken to avoid even the appearance of the
                 instructor's improperly profiting by the choice of
                 materials.
 
  B.        Procedures
 
                 1.   All orders of instructional materials that entail
                      financial gain for the faculty member teaching the
                      course must be approved by the chair of the
                      department offering the course.
 
                 2.   There is less potential for allegations of
                      conflict when the text is published commercially
                      and in general use academically (in which case its
                      value and use is supported by outside professional
                      judgement), than when it is published privately
                      and not in common use elsewhere.  When the text is
                      not in general use, special measures are in order.
                      For example, choice of self-authored materials may
                      be confirmed, or made, by a committee.
                      Alternative texts may be authorized.  Royalties
                      may be assigned to third-party educational
                      organizations, including the University of
                      Maryland.
 
  C.        Responsibility
 
                 The instructor and the department are responsible for
                 avoiding abuse of the practice of requiring students to
                 buy course materials authored by the instructor.