2008 Woodie Awards
Textbook purchasing alternatives a solid compromise
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Opinion
Students have long-complained about textbooks.
"I never even use mine."
"My professor's ordered several books for the class, but we only use bits and pieces from each."
"They're all so ridiculously expensive."
"They change the editions so often, it's impossible to buy used books."
"It's a racket."
Many professors are sympathetic. Some let their students know on the first day of their classes that their books will rarely be used. They'll encourage sharing, or even reserve a few copies at the library for on-site use.
Still, other members of PSU faculty and staff fear that it's hard enough to get some students to crack the books they buy. Giving them any leeway to avoid putting their hands on a textbook altogether could yield disastrous results.
That's why we believe that renting textbooks is an appealing idea.
The National Association of College Stores says that renting a textbook costs about one-third of a new textbook. Setting up a rental program would not only encourage students who might otherwise opt out of purchasing high-priced textbook to actually bring their textbooks home and use them. It would provide faculty members the opportunity to hold their students to the responsibilities that come with enrollment; students would have no excuse not to be prepared for their classes, as the textbooks they could not afford previously are now readily available.
Of course with the contracts this university has signed and the textbook programs and plans that are already in place, it might be years before a textbook rental program becomes available on campus. However, that doesn't mean current students should not be working toward that possibility.
For universities to grow and strengthen, they must adapt to student needs. We hope that, in the future, schools across the country will no longer rest on the exasperated consensus that "there's nothing we can do about textbook prices" and, instead, work toward that compromise that will keep students well-read.
"I never even use mine."
"My professor's ordered several books for the class, but we only use bits and pieces from each."
"They're all so ridiculously expensive."
"They change the editions so often, it's impossible to buy used books."
"It's a racket."
Many professors are sympathetic. Some let their students know on the first day of their classes that their books will rarely be used. They'll encourage sharing, or even reserve a few copies at the library for on-site use.
Still, other members of PSU faculty and staff fear that it's hard enough to get some students to crack the books they buy. Giving them any leeway to avoid putting their hands on a textbook altogether could yield disastrous results.
That's why we believe that renting textbooks is an appealing idea.
The National Association of College Stores says that renting a textbook costs about one-third of a new textbook. Setting up a rental program would not only encourage students who might otherwise opt out of purchasing high-priced textbook to actually bring their textbooks home and use them. It would provide faculty members the opportunity to hold their students to the responsibilities that come with enrollment; students would have no excuse not to be prepared for their classes, as the textbooks they could not afford previously are now readily available.
Of course with the contracts this university has signed and the textbook programs and plans that are already in place, it might be years before a textbook rental program becomes available on campus. However, that doesn't mean current students should not be working toward that possibility.
For universities to grow and strengthen, they must adapt to student needs. We hope that, in the future, schools across the country will no longer rest on the exasperated consensus that "there's nothing we can do about textbook prices" and, instead, work toward that compromise that will keep students well-read.
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