Spring Break
Students Look For New Way To Get Books
Rob Barry
Issue date: 8/31/05 Section: News
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A recent annual report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said textbook prices for four-year public learning institutions have risen at double the rate of inflation for the last two decades, trailing the 7 percent rises in tuition at about 6 percent. According to the report, the average cost of textbooks and supplies at such a school during the 2003-2004 academic year was about $900, compared to about $315 in 1986.
The report said the rapidly rising prices have largely been due to an increase in bundled supplements. Many textbooks now include CD-ROMs, workbooks, study guides and other materials that are not always needed by students.
"The supplements I've had were useless," said Jenna Palica, a 5th-semester psychology major. "Half the time students barely even use the main textbook."
"I have never used any of the software or guides that come with any textbooks except for Minitab for stats class," said Karen Clabaugh, a 7th-semester accounting major. "So far this year, one book has come with a guide and I still have two classes to buy books for."
It is no secret textbooks are cheaper used than at retail price. However, it can be difficult to find used textbooks at the Co-op because of how often editions are revised, repackaged and sold brand new. William Simpson, president and general manager of the Co-op, said books now have an average lifespan of three years, compared to four to five years a decade ago.
"When a book goes into a new edition the publisher no longer sells the old edition and the book very quickly disappears in the used book market due to non-existent demand," Simpson said.
According to Simpson, professors make the final call in which books they use and they want to give students only the latest information. He said the Co-op would recommend that professors adopt editions for longer periods of time.
"If the Co-op is made aware that the faculty member is willing to use the older edition as it goes out of print," Simpson said. "We can buy up all the available copies at a fraction of the regular price.