Textbook prices are like gas prices: Both include hidden fees, never seem to decline and have consumers convinced the charge is too much.
So the legislation introduced by Rep. Steven Walsh is enough to make students dream about a day when textbook bills are not as lengthy or as in-depth as the books themselves.
Walsh’s proposal is nothing new — he called for the same exact legislation a year ago, and the vote did not go the way of the students.
On Jan. 19, 2006, this page supported Walsh, arguing that if “the State Legislature approves the textbook legislation, it would send a message of support to students.” Today, we can make identical arguments.
We hope the legislature passes the proposal, even if lawmakers have to pull an all-nighter to do so.
But even if it does become a law, legislation can only accomplish so much.
Preventing the publishers from pumping out new editions in assembly-line fashion and preventing publishers from packaging superfluous material with textbooks is not the only action that can be taken to save students money on course materials.
Professors can do much to help students cut costs. Jade Roth, vice president of Books for Barnes ‘ Noble college booksellers said if faculty members don’t decide new reading requirements until July, students trying to sell back books in May will be out of luck.
Most likely, professors are not even aware of the power their punctuality can have. If they were, most educators would probably do all they could to assist students. As Roth points out, “It’s a very rare faculty that doesn’t want to help students save money.”
Professors are not just limited to close collaboration with the bookstore to keep students’ wallets full. Emailing their classes the isbn numbers and official titles of books before a semester begins would give students an opportunity to shop around for a bargain.
Professors could also rethink having students buy a textbook if they only plan on assigning two chapters from it all semester. Posting the reading on Boston University’s courseinfo website or sending students to online databases like jstor.com are much cheaper alternatives.
And students are also crafty enough to figure out these types of tricks on their own. By the time they are seniors, many have mastered how to succeed, get the reading and avoid racking up a big bill at the start of each semester.
Publishing companies are shooting themselves in the foot. The more they raise prices and try to scheme students, the less likely students will be to buy their books.