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Enlist Faculty to Share the Value of Required Textbooks
09/19/03
If the rising prices of textbooks and students' related complaints have been dragging you down during rush, be sure to pass along this information to the people who have control over what students are being told to buy for class: their instructors.After noticing more books priced at $100 than had ever before lined the store's shelves, Peggy Lane, director at the Indiana University Kokomo Campus Bookstore, sent faculty a memo noting the rising costs of textbooks and the importance of explaining to students the value of the books selected for the class.
In her note, Lane explained that for the fall semester the store stocked nearly 90 new book titles that cost $100 or more. She outlined the repercussions of these prices: sticker shock for students and some of them choosing to not buy the books at all. Along with the memo, she also included a "Value of a Textbook" button she had obtained from NACS.
"You can assist students and the mission of the bookstore by taking a few minutes at the beginning of the semester to tell students your reasons for selecting the textbooks you use, and why they are needed for successful course work. Research shows that students accept textbook costs more readily when faculty members teach from, test from, and fully use the required textbooks," stated the memo.
Lane also noted to faculty that the store attempts to stock as many used titles as possible, she shared the margin percentage that the textbooks are marked at, and also that the store is expected to contribute to the institution's general fund.
The memo is part of the bookstore's ongoing efforts to communicate with faculty. Over the summer, the store's textbook buyer, Lien Koztecki, also called the instructors who had adopted higher-priced books to be sure they knew the retail price of the titles. Since faculty can be hard to track down over summer break, Koztecki sometimes had to enlist the help of department secretaries and call the professors at home.
A couple faculty members decided to switch adoptions after they were told what the retail prices would be, while several more said they would keep the price in mind before sending in their adoptions for the next term. Of course, if they think the more expensive book is the best book for the course, then that is the book they should use, Lane said.
Overall, these extra efforts have been appreciated by the faculty, who Lane said are very supportive of the bookstore and its mission. After the memo was circulated, department chairs contacted Lane to say they didn't know such costly books were being adopted, or that they had asked their faculty to explain their textbook choices to students.
"For several of them, it has been an eye-opening experience," Lane said. "We ask them to focus on explaining the benefit of the books they require so the students know what they are getting."
Sound Off!
marie stewart (mstewart@unr.edu) 2/4/2004 11:52:17 AM
I too would like a copy of the memo faxed or sent to me
Rudy Battistelli (rudybatt@mvsu.edu) 10/6/2003 4:18:05 PM
The professer should take full responsibility for the
text books that they chose.I would like a copy of the
memo.
Dorian Farrow (dfarrow@boisestate.edu) 10/3/2003 4:05:44 PM
It's good to know that we all have the same issues with price and boundles.
A copy of the memo would be great.
Nancy Devlin (ndevlin@swtc.edu) 9/29/2003 9:48:28 AM
If possible, I would like a copy of the "Value of a Textbook" memo also. Thank you.
Kyle Roti (Kyle.Roti@usiouxfalls.edu) 9/25/2003 5:24:56 PM
I would also like a copy of the "Value of a textbook" memo if this is possible.
Thanks, Kyle Roti
Mel Buhler (mbuhler@twu.ca) 9/22/2003 4:54:17 PM
Can you send me a copy of the memo also?
Sounds like a great idea.
Thanks,
Mel
Lewis Clark (clarkl@cwu.edu) 9/22/2003 2:58:25 PM
Thought you all would like to see the following email dialog I had with a major publishing house sales representative:
" Subject: "Bundled" and "Packaged" Textbooks
On October 1, 2001, the attached document was emailed to you regarding the return of bundled and packaged textbooks. As of today, Thursday, November 15, 2001, I have not received a response from you. If you do not respond to this request by December 15, I will begin referring students directly to you who attempt to return bundled or packaged textbook units with: a) Missing Components; b) Broken CD or Disk Seals;
and/or c) Compromised Passwords/Codes.
Your prompt reply to the attached document is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,"
This was his response:
" Lewis:
Indeed I did respond by telling you all of our policies regarding returns are in the NACS Bulletin and I am unable to respond beyond that as I obviously have no authority to change those polices which are set by out Legan Department.
I would encourage you to not send any student inquires to me as I do not respond to them as I am not the retainer in this relationship.
I regret that I am not able to respond to this request as this involveslegal matters."
Thomas Hughes (thomas@offcampusbookstore.com) 9/19/2003 3:38:13 PM
The bookstore managers shouldn't be hounding the professors over the price of a book the professor has ordered for his class. They should be asking the publishers how the book order by the professor that is sitting on the shelf at $109.95 new is available on the shelf as we speak at Trinity College in Ireland at $49.95. The only difference being that the one I sell is hardback and the one Trinity College sells is paperback. Page for page, line for line, text for text exact duplicate.
Bill Muggy (bill@jayhawkbookstore.com) 9/19/2003 12:01:45 PM
Whereas I laud the attempt to notify faculty of the $100 plus text books; the cry also needs to be vocal to faculty about the abuse of publishers swaying decision makers that custom bundles for a class is "a real value" for the students. The only upside is that the cashiers ring one price instead of 3-6.
The down side reasons would fill a dissertation. You and your staff could think of 20-50 reasons which need to be conveyed to every prof. that picks a "publisher
special value" as an adoption.
Secondly chase off every publisher rep. that has contributed to the plight. Their free donuts for the staff aren't worth a cent of grief we experience.
Then kick it up a notch and call the publisher college division president and notifying him or her that you have dictated that freight in & out on all unsold bundles; plus $25.00/hr. handling every time their product is moved. Furthermore these charges will be automatically deducted from the invoice. Throw in some storage fees for added effect. Also promise to give every moaning student and school newspaper reporter his/her direct phone number.
Lastly, indicate that any late shipments of bundles, or substituted titles will be air freighted back....collect.
This maverick manager will also be charging instructors and/or their depts. for all no-returnable custom publications; and freight in and out on all cancellations.
Academic freedom, and publisher gorilla warfare need to meet economic reality and responsibility!
Terri Meinel (meinelt@uww.edu) 9/19/2003 11:58:56 AM
The executives in publishing houses should be aware of what's happening on our campuses. The price of textbooks should be as serious a discussion in boardrooms as is market share or any other topic. Price resistance in the form of students not purchasing textbooks, bookstores (and students) buying used books, and faculty altering their selection criteria is widespread and will only increase as prices continue to skyrocket.
Pam Robers (probers@carthage.edu) 9/19/2003 11:55:44 AM
Ours is a small midwestern private college and our Professors are not always receptive to this type of info direct at them. However, this memo sounds like it has just the right amount of info without sounding like it is scolding. Please pass the entire memo to me also.....
Maria Hyde (hydem@crc.losrios.edu) 9/19/2003 11:30:59 AM
Peggy, can you forward a copy of your memo to me. I think this is a wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing it.
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