GCSU reads into more cost efficient books

GCSU students will be able to access new programs next semester through the on-campus bookstore.

Run by Follett Higher Education Group, the GCSU bookstore plans to adopt a program next semester called “Book Now” which will allow students to look at the costs of their textbooks before registering for a class.

The new program adheres to the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008. HEOA mandates that colleges release the prices and names of textbooks that students need for classes prior to registration, in hopes that students will be able to make more cost efficient class choices.

“Book Now” will integrate with GCSU’s online registration system so that when students go online and register, they have the option to purchase used or new books immediately, Kyle Cullers, executive director of Auxiliary Services, said.

The program also includes a sister program, called “Book Look,” which allows students to access detailed information about textbooks before purchasing.

The programs aim to address student concerns about the cost of course materials. Though, some students still have questions about publishers, who contribute to textbook costs.

According to the National Association of College Stores, 64.7 percent of each dollar spent on textbooks goes to the publishing companies that print the book.

Every semester, instructors send book requests to the GCSU bookstore, Follett then places orders with book publishers, Follett delivers those books later to GCSU. Students then purchase books at the store based on the order placed by instructors.

However, publishers are approaching teachers and requesting that they order the new editions, so that the publishing companies will make a profit, said Brett Compton, a 3-year employee of the campus bookstore.

“The concern is,” Compton said, “how are publishers convincing professors to request the new edition of the text book?”

Kyle Cullars, executive director of auxiliary services says a lot of publishers go straight to instructors, in their offices, and will offer them test banks of questions and other teaching stuff for adopting their new edition of books.

Publishers, many who print new textbook additions annually, only receive revenue from the sale of new books, so they often try to entice instructors into ordering the new editions with additional course materials and online study tools.

“Some instructors will go so far as to select their course materials based on what they get out of (publishers),” Cullers said. “But there are other circumstances when a publisher has useful information that … students are going to benefit from.”

Even with the additional study tools, new textbooks still raise the cost of education for students.

Instructors at GCSU insist that they have not been approached or questioned by any publishers sporting additional materials or offering bribes.

“As a chair, I have not been approached or told anyone what to do,” said Dr. Elaine Whitaker, head of the English and rhetoric department. “My academic freedom and that of my colleagues has been protected to the best of my ability.”

According to Auxiliary Services, publishers know that they are supposed to go through GCSU’s bookstore anytime they wish to speak to faculty members.

“They’re supposed to let us know when they’re on campus,” Cullers said, “and a lot of times, they intentionally go around that.”

Even with the threat of publishers, instructors remain focused on helping students achieve an affordable and successful education.

“To me, my success is your success; your success in the classroom equals your success in the future,” political science professor W.C. Wilkinson said about providing textbooks for students. “Therefore I need to be focused on providing you the best content, which means providing you with the best material.”

The bookstore says it remains committed to selling quality books to the students at the lowest prices possible.

“I think they are trying to build customer relations with the students to make returning customers,” Compton said about the GCSU bookstore. “They’re looking out for the students because they want returning business.”

Compton cautions students and teachers to be aware of publishers and to try to buy used textbooks.

Even in the face of rising book costs, Follett continues to update their system to reduce the cost of books, especially with programs like “Rent-a-Book,” an on-campus version of the textbook rental programs provided by Chegg.com, set to launch in the fall of 2010.

“Georgia College’s bookstore exists to serve our students and faculty here on campus,” Cullers said. “There’s a lot out there (in textbook alternatives), and I think it’s only going to improve over time.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 9 2009. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry