Most, if not every student has found him or herself upset at the bookstore for a multitude of reasons. High prices or not having a much needed book in stock, long lines or being forced to purchase package materials when only one may be needed are just a few.
Immediately everyone looks to the employees for answers to these critical issues. John Dyar, store manager of the SU bookstore, stated that although they sell the books it’s the publisher who decides the price of these materials. Dyar also adds that despite the fact that the bookstore sells the materials they cannot control how quickly they are sold and how quickly the publishers print or send in more of the materials.
This semester lines may have seemed particularly long and that was because this fall was the first time students could use book vouchers for purchases. “A lot more people purchased books this time (people) that otherwise wouldn’t have,” Dyar said.
“One way in the future to avoid the lines is to order your books online at Southern University’s bookstore website, www.bkstr.com. You won’t have to stand in line because those books get priority.” Dyar stated.
Another student concern is the low refund money received at BuyBack, an end of semester return textbook policy that allows students to have their used textbooks bought back by the bookstore. Many students report receiving only a fraction of the original cost of the book, a much lower price than what the books were originally purchased at. According to Dyar a way to increase the value on BuyBack books is to make sure the instructors adopt the same book for the following year.
Another thing that will help with textbook costs is the Higher Education Opportunity Act, Dyar said. Although the textbook revisions will not be implemented until July 2010, the bill requires publishers to work harder to provide instructors with more information and better options, resulting in lower prices for students.
Regardless of problems students face at the bookstore, SU’s Bookstore should not be looked at negatively. “We are here to serve the students.” Dyar said. They are looking for ways to save students money. A perfect example is e-textbooks. Textbooks that are in an online format that allow the user to take notes, highlight, and share the information they collected with other users. Students can make use of this program to access notes from their classmates or from a certain study group that they are apart of. With this program there is no need to worry about those over sleepers who borrow books.
The bookstore has expanded their selection and now has dorm room supplies and make-up. Students can receive a free sample of the make-up products on Sept. 18. The providers of the products will be coming in and supplying a free makeover for any young lady that desires one. Students can help the bookstore give back by purchasing 2009’s “The Shirt”.
“With every shirt that we sell 10 percent of the proceeds go to athletics, 10 percent to student programs, which can be divided up into smaller groups that need money, and five percent goes to alumni,” Dyar said. “We’re just trying to help people.”
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Prices not bookstore’s fault
September 3, 2009
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