<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/about/board-policy/500/522.01.html" dsn="policies"><number>522.01</number><heading>Sauk Ready: Textbook Program Opt-Out</heading><revised>07-28-2025</revised><reviewed>06-30-2026</reviewed><content><p>In accordance with 34 C.F.R. § 668.164(c)(2), Sauk Valley Community College students may be automatically billed for required course materials under the College’s inclusive access textbook model, known as the <em>Sauk Ready: Textbook Program</em>. Students retain the right to opt out of the program under the following conditions:</p>
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<li><strong>Notification and Transparency</strong><br/>Students receive timely notice each academic term regarding their inclusion in the program, the associated per-credit-hour charge, and the procedure for opting out.  Notice includes the deadline by which students must opt out.</li>
<li><strong>Reasonable and Equivalent Access</strong><br/>Students who choose to opt out are provided with the option to purchase course materials of equal quality and content at a comparable cost through alternative means, such as directly from the bookstore or third-party vendors.</li>
<li><strong>Opt-Out Process</strong><br/>The College maintains an accessible opt-out process that allows students to decline participation via electronic form or equivalent method.  Students who opt out are not charged the program fee for that term.</li>
<li><strong>Compliance Assurance</strong><br/>The College ensures that all aspects of the Sauk Ready: Textbook Program comply with applicable federal regulations and U.S. Department of Education guidance, including student consumer protections and refund policies.</li>
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<p><strong>Administrative Oversight</strong><br/>The Chief Academic Officer and Chief Financial Officer jointly ensure proper implementation, training, and review of this policy.  The College may establish additional administrative procedures to support compliance.</p></content></item>