UNC Mirror

Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Samantha Meadows

Students at the University of Northern Colorado are invited to participate in a campaign that will help reform textbook prices.

According to Mason Smith, student trustee on the Student Representative Council, the textbook campaign will eventually take on statewide significance during the spring legislative session, but this fall's activities will be based on a campus-level.

"SRC is trying to address more student issues this year," Smith said.

SRC, with the help of the student body, will be focusing on reforming the prices of textbooks. Smith said students spend an average of $900 a year on textbooks. This is the equivalent of 20 percent of tuition at an average university.

The first activity scheduled for the campaign will be today from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the west patio of the University Center. Students will be able to write letters to the legislature asking for support in the spring.

"It sounds like a good idea because something has got to change and that is a start," said Amie Rawlings, a sophomore elementary education major.

Smith's research has narrowed the causes of expensive textbooks to the textbook market and publishers.

According to Smith, there are two problems that exist in the textbook market. Faculty members are not well informed about prices or various options - including older editions or non-bundled packages. Secondly, students are the customers, but do not get to make the decision on what books to buy; a problem for students.

"It is a good idea because college students can barely afford college as it is," said Kristie Gottsh, a sophomore elementary education major. "So when you are required to spend hundreds of dollars on textbooks and you barely get a quarter for selling them back, it is hard."

Problems for students resulting from publishers include unnecessary editions, high prices, bundling, buyback and price concealing. Smith focused on unbundling books with CDs and/or workbooks that come with textbooks, but are never used.

The solution to make this reform possible includes building a coalition of students, faculty and bookstores. Together, ideas will be discussed on how more used books, earlier editions and more cost-effective materials can be produced.

"I know that this is how book stores make their money, but I think textbook prices is a reason why some people hesitate to come back," said Jess Taylor, a sophomore elementary education major. "It is a turn off to spend so much. The letters is a good idea to state a concern and help see a change."

Any questions about the event or about the letter writing can be directed to Mason Smith at Mason.Smith@unco.edu.

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