"To the maximum extent practicable, each institution of higher education receiving Federal financial assistance shall -- Disclose, on the institution's internet course schedule and in a manner of the institution's choosing, the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and retail price information of required and recommended college textbooks and supplemental materials for each course listed in the institution's course schedule used for preregistration and registration purposes." (USCode, 2017)
Timely Textbook OrdersFor students, having information about required course materials helps them understand the costs of a given course, gives them time to comparison shop for texts, and helps them be prepared for courses on the first day of class. In order to provide this information to students, course material must be adopted through the bookstore by the first day of registration. Doing so is required by law under the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act (read the full law here).
There are many reasons to get this information into student-facing systems well before the course starts. First, it's the law. Second, it allows students time to comparison shop for materials and save money. Third, it can provide useful information to students considering registering for classes.
