The Michigan Student Assembly has passed a resolution urging the administration to require professors to disclose book listings at least one month before classes begin, giving students ample time to search for cheaper books by the time school starts.

For many students who find out what books they need on the first day of class, the usual options are to purchase books at full price or wait weeks for online orders and risk falling behind in class.

The MSA commission that sponsored the resolution is encouraging professors to post textbook listings on C-Tools, the online course guide or on a separate website created for book listings.

The Government Accounting Office estimates the average student spends $900 a year on textbooks, a cost that rises at 4.5 times the rate of inflation.

"This is no joke," said Mohammad Khalil, chair of the Academic Affairs Commission. "Nine hundred dollars is a lot of money,"

Robert Megginson, associate dean for undergraduate education in LSA, said there is currently no overarching rule for textbook list submissions in LSA, but many professors submit book lists a month before classes start..

"The standard practice, at least in departments of which I am aware, is actually to work with a lead time far longer than one month," he said.

Megginson said the mathematics department requires professors to submit fall textbook lists to the department by April 15 for the fall term.

Last semester, they had 100-percent compliance, he said.

But Khalil said even if professors are communicating with departments about the books they will require, students are not finding out early enough.

Khalil said the assembly believes establishing a universal text for solving the book availability problem.

"The University has to set its priorities," Khalil said. "It needs to understand that students do come first."

Megginson questioned MSA's approach to solving the textbook problem because it places too much blame on professors.

He said there are more problems regarding book availability, such as when book stores don't post the book lists as soon as the receive them to drive up business near the beginning of the semester.

Several local booksellers did not respond to phone calls or declined to comment.

Megginson said establishing a disclosure requirement with a later date than the time most professors already send in the lists could lead to some professors waiting until the deadline because they think they have more time.

"The result could backfire badly," he said.

LSA freshman Alecia Clary said if the administration made the requirement, it would help her obtain her books on time.

"A friend of mine was not able to get her biology book until the third week of class , and we had to share one book between three friends," she said.

Edie Goldenberg, former LSA dean, said a solution would be to work within the individual departments.

She said forcing a general rule for all departments would not solve the unique problems of each academic unit.

"Everyone thinks the way to get something done is to require something," Goldenberg said.

Leah Graboski contributed to this report