Syllabi and Textbook Postings

Before each term, instructors of record must post your course materials and syllabus so students can plan their costs and make informed registration decisions. Here's what to do, and when.

Deadlines by term

Term	Courses open in Canvas and Simple Syllabus	Deadline	First day of classes
Spring 2027	September 15, 2026	October 15, 2026	January 9, 2027
Summer 2027	February 13, 2027	March 15, 2027	Mary 15, 2027
Fall 2027	March 16, 2027	April 15, 2027	August 21, 2027

Instructors of record receive a reminder 15–20 days before each FAU deadline. You can also find these dates on the faculty calendar hub .

Why these deadlines matter?

Florida law (s. 1004.085, F.S.) requires FAU to post textbook and course material lists for at least 95% of all course sections at least 45 days before classes begin. The standard applies to the university as a whole, so every unposted section counts against FAU. Posted lists stay public for five years, are searchable by course and instructor, and are reported annually to the Board of Governors.

For students, early posting means time to compare prices, find used or rental copies, and plan financial aid before the term starts.

Three steps before each term

1. Adopt your course materials in Follett My Materials

Open your course in Canvas and select Follett My Materials. Select every required and recommended item.

No materials? Submit a "no course materials required" adoption. A blank adoption counts as not posted.
Using OER, a course pack, software, or your own materials? Include the ISBN or the title, all authors, publisher, edition, copyright date, and published date.

Adopt materials in Canvas

2. Complete your syllabus in Simple Syllabus

Course details, university policies, and your textbook adoptions populate automatically. Before the deadline, you only need to add the four required components:

curriculum and required readings;
textbooks and materials;
goals and expectations;
and grading.

The rest of your syllabus can be finished before classes start.

Posting requirements in detail

Course materials

All required and recommended textbooks and materials
ISBN or full identifying information for each item
A "no materials required" adoption when applicable

Syllabus: four required components

The course curriculum, including required readings
The required and recommended textbooks and instructional materials
The goals, objectives, and student expectations of the course
How student performance will be measured and evaluated, including the grading scale

Only these four components are required by the deadline. They're the syllabus elements set by Board of Governors regulation. Everything else, such as your detailed schedule, office hours, and course policies, can be added to Simple Syllabus later, as long as it's complete before classes begin.

OPEN SIMPLE SYLLABUS

3. Confirm your posting and complete the attestation

Check that your sections are posted. Search by your name or course number to confirm students can see your materials and syllabus.

Check your posting status

Complete the Course Materials Attestation. Each semester, you must confirm that you've reviewed your course materials before they are presented or assigned to students, as required by Board of Governors Regulation 8.003.

You'll attest that you've reviewed all required course materials, including textbooks, test and assignment questions, assigned and supplemental readings, and any other instructional materials, and that they're appropriate for the course.

How it works

Before each term, the Office for Information Technology will send a secure online form to the instructor of record for every course.
Didn't select the materials yourself? If your department chose them, as is common for adjunct or temporary instructors, the attestation goes to your department chair, who then routes it to the appropriate person.
Your response is saved as a date-stamped record, which the university uses to show compliance each semester.

Common situations

My course doesn't require any materials.

I was assigned a course, or a section was added, after the deadline.

I need to change my materials after posting.

Update your adoption in Follett My Materials up to the state posting deadline. Simple Syllabus updates automatically.
Late changes that occur after the state deadline require chair and dean approval. You can submit late change requests via this form.

I'm using free (OER), library, or instructor-authored materials.

My course is exempt.

I manage adoptions for several courses.

Choosing affordable materials

Consider lower-cost, used, rental, library, and open (OER) options.
If you adopt a bundle, certify that every item in it will be used.
If you adopt a new edition, explain how it differs meaningfully from the prior edition.
Access codes and inclusive-access programs must let students opt out.

Read the full procedures for selecting textbooks (PDF)

Make it accessible. Posted syllabi and adopted digital materials must be accessible to students with disabilities. See FAU's accessibility guidance.

Questions and Support

Course materials and adoptions

Simple Syllabus and Canvas

Guides and links

How to adopt materials in Follett My Materials (PDF)
Simple Syllabus guides and FAQs
Procedures for selecting textbooks (PDF)
Faculty calendar hub
Adjunct Faculty Hub
Board of Governors: textbook affordability

Textbook Adoption Portal – Administrative Access (multiple courses)

Last updated: September 2026