Faculty Council looks to reduce book costs

By Jaryd Wilson

Published Feb. 16, 2007

Renting books is one of several alternative methods being discussed in an attempt to make textbooks more affordable to students. This comes as a result of an increase in textbook prices at both the local and national level.

Michael Devaney, Faculty Council chairman of Student Affairs, gave a presentation to the council on Dec. 11 about the issue of textbooks.

"The escalating cost of educational materials has triggered several governmental investigations and catalyzed state legislation elsewhere," Devaney stated in the presentation.

Student Auxiliary Services spokeswoman Michelle Froese said some of the alternatives being discussed in addition to the rental program include getting faculty members to submit on-time orders because the orders could affect textbook prices. Froese said this would allow more opportunities for used books and returning more money to students at Book Buyback. Also, used textbooks would be promoted over new ones in cases where they would not be needed in the future.

Increases are mainly due to new textbook editions and textbook bundling, which combines all class materials into one package.

Bill Lamberson, Faculty Council chairman of Academic Affairs, said there are disadvantages to bundling texts.

"Sometimes textbook publishers bundle material that is not needed for class and it drives up the cost of the text," Lamberson said. "The bundled material may not be reusable, which reduces buyback."

Devaney was also concerned with bundled materials.

"What some faculty may not be aware of is the extent that their selections and actions drive up student textbook costs," Devaney said.

With a book rental program, students would likely put down a deposit and a rental fee and then recover the deposit when the book is returned in good condition. The system would also require that departments agree to use the text for a number of semesters.

"Textbook publishers issue new editions about every two years," Froese said. "Data shows that most publishers raise the prices of their books by 12 percent on average when issuing new editions, but a book rental program would be an alternative to that."

Devaney said he thinks the book rental program could be very successful.

"I think this has the greatest potential for reducing student costs," Devaney said.

Devaney said he thinks faculty members already approve of the proposed methods.

"I believe most are quite supportive," Devaney said. "Many of us are also parents of students and feel the pain each semester."