BFC passes proposal, could make books cheaper

As of spring 2008, students lost almost $500,000 due to textbooks that faculty did not adopt or order early enough, said IU Student Association President Luke Fields.

Fields presented an IUSA proposal that urges faculty, departments and others involved in textbook adoption and ordering to be aware of IU Bookstore ordering deadlines. On Tuesday, the Bloomington Faculty Council unanimously approved the proposal and authorized IUSA to send an e-mail once a semester to remind faculty to submit their book orders by a set deadline.

Fields said bookstores are focused on repurchasing textbooks students have used when they know they will be used for future semesters. They will then buy back the book for a higher price when it is adopted for the next semester. But if the book is not ordered in time and the bookstore is unaware, they will buy the book back for a wholesale price.

“The wholesale price is 1/10 lower than the normal cost of the book,” Fields said.

Members of the BFC said it would be a challenge to order books for smaller classes with such an early deadline, but a reminder ultimately would help the cause.

Fields explained that as of Nov. 10 only 43 percent of faculty had adopted their textbooks for next semester.

“Ultimately we are hoping to reduce the amount that students spend on textbooks and put more money into students’ pockets,” Fields said.

As the cost of education is getting higher, this gives the faculty a chance to support and recognize that students could be saving money.

“This is something that affects all of us. It is a step in the right direction,” IUSA Vice President Dan Sloat said.

With the support of the BFC and IU Provost Karen Hanson, IUSA is looking forward to contacting the faculty and hopefully seeing a change.

“The faculty does want to help students,” Hanson said. “We appreciate hearing the student view.”