IUSA plans site for cheaper textbooks

The IU Student Association is planning to launch a Web site for students looking to buy textbooks in the next few semesters. IUSA wants to publish the list of textbook ISBN numbers to give students more options on where and how much they pay for their class textbooks.\nThe ISBN is a unique number that distinguishes a book. \nIUSA is planning to base its Web site to emulate Ohio University's student-generated site, which allows students to search for textbooks by the class and section number. Unlike the planned IUSA Web site, OU's site also allows students to buy and sell their textbooks. \nIUSA is trying to pressure the IU Bookstore and T.I.S. Bookstore to give easy access to the list of ISBN numbers, so it can publish them for the students. \nIUSA and the IU administration should feel compelled to address the issue of buying textbooks, said IU Vice President of Public Affairs and Governmental Relations Bill Stephan.\n"The student government and the administration need to address the issue in a timely fashion," Stephan said. "It's hard to assemble all the information and then give it to the students."\nGiving students the option of searching for textbooks on Web sites such as www.amazon.com and http://etextbooks.com is something IUSA is striving for, said Director of Academic Affairs Patrick Hopen.\n"This will give students the best option on how to buy textbooks for their classes," said Hopen, a junior. "Students will be able to save money and also give students the right to choose where they buy their textbooks and if they want to go elsewhere."\nIUSA also recognizes many students are used to buying their textbooks at the IU Bookstore and T.I.S. Bookstore, and will continue to patronize these locations, said IUSA Student Body Treasurer and senior Gwen Hobley.\n"Students will still need to go to the (IU) Bookstore or T.I.S. Bookstore to get course packets, reading packets, etc," Hobley said. \nBeing there for the students and looking out for student concerns is at the top of IUSA's agenda, said IUSA President and senior Tyson Chastain.\n"If IUSA and the administration help students save for example $40 on a textbook, it starts to add up," Chastain said. "It takes away from the financial burden of college expenses."\nHobley said the fault lies with the book publisher for the high costs of books.\n"We want the (IU) Bookstore and T.I.S. to pressure the publisher to lower the costs of the books they order, for students to buy for their classes," Hobley said. "The professor gives the list of books required for his class to the head of his school or college, and then it's passed along to the bookstore and then the bookstore orders from the publisher." \n-- Contact staff writer Eric Tash at etash@indiana.edu.