BFC addresses digital books, living-learning communities

The Bloomington Faculty Council met Tuesday to discuss matters that included digital textbooks, living-learning centers and athletic committees.

President pro Tempore of the BFC Erika Dowell said the biggest thing that might be of interest to students is a report on digital education resources and eTexts by Brad Wheeler, vice president for information technology.

“It’s where the University itself negotiates the price of the online textbooks and then passes that price, which is often very low, along to students,” Dowell said.

Wheeler said students and faculty have big concerns about the cost of textbooks, and because publishing companies are willing to publish their books in a digital format, IU is trying to find a way to make electronic textbooks more affordable.

“There ought to be an opportunity here to save some money for students,” Wheeler said. “And IU ought to be at the forefront in trying to figure out what we can do to drive down the cost of textbooks.”

The council also passed a new policy regarding living-learning centers during Tuesday’s meeting. The University will now have more oversight on the directors of each center and how advising practices take place.

“I think it’s a good policy, but I don’t think it’s going to have any really serious immediate impact,” Dowell said. “The policy was to make clear the expectations that the directors of living-learning centers need to have.”

Provost Karen Hanson also gave a report on the current distribution of the Provost fund — money used by the Provost for projects, campus priorities and more.

“Those are funds to be spent at the discretion of the provost for things that help to enhance the whole campus,” Dowell said.

— Katie Dawson