My sister's 20 year old son is about to enter his junior year of college at East Carolina. She called me the other day to complain about the cost of his textbooks, which, last year tallied in at over $1400. And he's not in some esoteric course of study, where only a thousand of the texts are published around the world, or in a major where each of them weighs twenty-three pounds and is used forever as a reference, like medicine. He's an English Lit major, with a minor in marketing (go figure.) She said that this year is pretty much like last year. The textbook list for his courses has yet to show up on the college's website for any of his five courses, even though his schedule is posted for the next semester and has been for a month or more. The list showed up in 2008 two weeks before classes were to commence. That left him slim time to go to Amazon.com or any one of a dozen or more used book sites to get the books he needed, and he thought that he was home free. But there was a catch. Several, actually. One book, a marketing text, was required to be purchased in the 4th edition. It cost $142. The third edition (2007) would have cost about $35 online used. The difference? Nothing that a 20 cent classroom handout would have provided, which amounted to some wording and reference changes in a couple of chapters, items that didn't matter a whit to his course of study. And what else was required? An online “curriculum assistance guide”, which was an additional $30, a feature that the course didn't even use. And then there were the college's homegrown “lab manuals”, which amounted to three thirty-some-page, corner-stapled handouts. The cost for these? $16 to $24 each. And they didn't even have decent covers that would weather out a semester. Out of the three, he opened two, and still came out with a 3.8 GPA. And of the two he did use, only one survived the semester, not that it was of any use after that.
The one text that he was able to buy used at the bookstore cost him $109. Used. $109. Probably purchased by the bookstore from a used book seller that paid a student $8 for it at the end of the previous semester. Pretty good profit margin.
This is evidently a big problem nationwide. To boost sales, publishers come up with texts from year to year with hardly noticeable revisions, marketing them as new editions. Professors pretty much blindly specify to their students that the newest edition is the only one that will be accepted for the course. Authors (i.e., publishing professors) like this. Universities like this. Publishers like this. Student bookstores like it, too. Each of them make an outrageous profit on what is essentially last year's book, masquerading as a “new and improved” text.
Does it happen here? You bet it does. A few questions asked of Salisbury University students reveals that a trip to the bookstore the week classes start, which is pretty much mandated to get the “new” texts and add-ons in time (the text lists were published and online just a couple of weeks before classes began) could cost each student well over $600, in addition to lab fees and extras.
SU students report that they've brought this up to University administration on more than one occasion, and they've been promised that “something” will be done to bring textbook costs back to reasonable levels. One University of California professor tells it straight when he said, "In addition, I encourage students to order textbooks from independent, off-campus sources. The university bookstore, despite a promise accompanying a change of management to lower prices, has in fact raised them." Are local professors and university administrations as straightforward? Will bookstore prices go down? Will bogus "new editions" still be mandated in textbook lists? Will marginally useful "internet learning aids" be required? We'll see.
21 comments:
You are wrong about SU. Faculty were required to supply book lists in May this year, precisely so students could shop around.
But....I thought making huge profits and screwing people over was the American way?
My hats off to a fellow Pirate, or in this case a Pirate Aunt/Uncle. I just want to add that the son has got to use some common sense, especially now that he is in his junior year. I never pre-purchased books before stepping into class and getting a personal feel of the professor the 1st day for the same reasons you cited (i.e. not using the materials). Alot of professors will either imply or blantantly tell you to either purchase older editions or "we won't be using this book too much" during the 1st day, despite what the syllabus says. In order to prepare for class, I would use the syllabus (if available) and go online to begin looking up info. on the topics to be covered. If there is not a syllabus, a quick email to the prof. will get you the general course information. All of my profs. at ECU were great and were more than willing to assist students who show initiative.
I recieved a B.S. in Biology (concentration molecular biology/biotechnology) and my text books NEVER ran $1400 a semester. My girlfriends daughter is at UD now (which is WAY more expensive), and she has never had a $1400 text book bill. Is the parent seeing any receipts? Just a warning, but I know plenty of kids who pulled the "mom, I need a new book" scheme which really was hey, I'm out of party money. Knew some kids who pulled this once or twice a month with success. Not saying the nephew is doing this, but you may want to double check.
When I was in School at SU, students posted their used books on the Bulletin instead of selling them back. The seller could get more money and the buyer could get cheaper books.
In addition, your sister's son is SLACKING! That list did not "just show up." I always had my book list before I left school the previous semester. If he truly didn't have the list, he at least knew who his teachers and classes were from his schedule-he could have contacted them to get the book lists. Unfortunately for your nephew, if he keeps up these habits of not being proactive his life could be pretty hard in post college job hunting! He only has himself to blame for being unprepared.
And if you want to save money, I used to get my books on half.com - its a ebay division that sells used books. Try it out, I saved hundreds each semester.
The small university I attended included a 'book rental fee' in tuition expenses. A week or so before classes started, every student on campus would head down to the basement of the student center and wander through a maze of textbooks gathering up the ones listed on our required texts list. Some of the books were new, some used, but also the approved and correct book for the class. When we got to the "register," a student was there to help us make sure we had the correct text for the class and check it out, just like a library. At the end of the semester, we just returned the books, and as long as they weren't damaged, that was it! At anytime during the semester or at the end of the semester, we could choose to purchase the book, and the book center would even order you a brand new copy if you wanted. It was a great system, and it even employed students from the university who needed a job but didn't have transportation off the campus. I wonder why more schools don't consider this?
9:32 is absolutely right!! I used to do the same thing-feel out the teachers and READ THE SYLLABUS! Many schools and departments require teachers to "Teach by the Book" so the teach has to have an assigned book for the class. If you can't read a teacher, talk to other students who have taken the class...aka Socialize!
I have also NEVER EVEN CLOSE to a $1,400 book bill! Even if I bought every book brand spanking new, $500-600 MAX! This parent is definately getting scammed by the "ole college try!" Open your eyes lady! Double major or not, your sister is getting taken for a fool! Ask for receipts!
Whatever happened to contacting the professor upon registering for the class? 9:32 and 9:44 are the reason my classes are always so slow to get started, we have to wait 2-3 weeks for these students books to arrive while we carry them along and slow down so they don't get too far behind. Socialism at its finest! No wonder these graduates are never prepared in the real-world either. They are rewarded for their lack of preparation.
9:57, ok, do us all a favor and before you spew your hatred, reread what was written. I advised preparing for class PRIOR to the first day by obtaining a syllabus/couse information and reviewing pertinent texts/online materials PRIOR to the start of class. Not sure where you went to school, but obviously reading comprehension was not your forte. And if your professors held everyone's hand and waited for them to get texts, it is YOUR quality of education and lack of training for the real world that I am worried about.
I'm also currently having much success in my pursuit of a Ph.D. and my current employment prospects are looking quite good! But thanks for your concern.
Ha...I have to laugh at some of the comments made... I attended ECU and got my masters at UMD. Never ever were textbooks that much. I always bought used textbooks and made out fine.
10:14 - I've read, re-read and even searched your 9:44 post and I'm sorry, I cannot seem to find the word "PRIOR" anywhere. Since you seem to be a judge of reading comprehension, please show me where "PRIOR" is used in your post. You said: "9:32 is absolutely right!!"
9:32 said: "I never pre-purchased books before stepping into class and getting a personal feel of the professor the 1st day for the same reasons you cited (i.e. not using the materials)." This seems to indicate that they did not check with anyone PRIOR to the first day of class.
Now, please show me where I missed your insistence of PRIOR preparation here, otherwise I'll just continue to be certain that your liberal PHD isn't worth the paper it's written on.
I am a student at SU and my book costs total about one thousand a year for taking a major with a minor. Already this year I am at four hundred dollars for three classes this semester and a forth teacher has yet to name what book we need so I expect more expenditures. That four hundred is for USED books.
Even one thousand dollars is too much for USED books. I think the entire used book process is shameful.
10:57, it amazes me how a post regarding advice for college text books can turn into political attacks. Whoa....someone has wondered off of the reservation.
12:56 - yea, it's a "personal attack" when someone calls it as it really is anymore, isn't it?
Some people were suggesting that students show up for class unprepared and someone said that this causes the whole class to be held back.
Maybe "personal attacks" such as these shouldn't be protected under the First Amendment?
1:17, another avid reader.
"Political attack", not "Personal attack". And nobody said anything about censorship or waiving the 1st amendment. You see how clouded the the minds of the idealogues (left and right) are? No wonder we can't get any of our problems solved.
No one suggested showing up for class unprepared. Let me clarify because I really want the phronesis to know some alternative solutions that work. Especially since I love all my Pirates.
1) Get the syllabus PRIOR to the beginning of class. Most professorrs will atleast have a syllabus from the year before. If the syllabus is not available, talk directly with the professor to obtain an outline of the topics he'll be going over.
2) Go for the used book. Also check the library. If this is not available, you can atleast begin looking up information on the topics listed on the syllabus/course information that you have obtained PRIOR to the start of class. You'll find quality information that can orient you through reputable online sources or primary literature.
3) If you have a professor who is sitting on his hands 2-3 weeks waiting on everyone to get books, you have bigger problems than just money. No one ever waited around for folks in my classes; you started learning day 1.
4) If you did not buy used, or obtained one from the library, wait and see if prof. is actually going to use the book(s). Chances are, he'll use the main course text, but the extra stuff is simply supplemental and often these are not used.
Hope this helps. Even 9:57/10:57 should be able to follow these instructions.
your comments are too LOOOONG guys!
Guy stop being idiots you dont need the latest edition. If the teacher is a @#$@ and makes u do problems out of the book then buy it or photocopy someon elses.
My daughter is in her 2nd year of college in a WV school and I must admit that the costs of books for her were crazy. And no she wasn't trying to pull one over on me. I was there with her when the books were purchased. However for her english lit class she had to buy about 15 books. She gets a $500book stipend as part of her scholarship so it didn't much matter to us. However the total of her books (most of them used) was over $600 for her first semester and about the same for her second. She has one class this year where the used book on a popular website is going to cost almost $200. Yes, a college education is expensive.
2:02;
If you are 9:32 you said you never pre-purchased books before going to class the first day.
You and 10:14 keep wanting to change what you said but for those who can read, the comments are still posted. Maybe you can get Joe to delete your comments so others cannot see for themselves.
I am a 32 year old mother going to college. The costs of books are insane! Every semester my books have cost around $550; In previous semesters I bought used books. This semester I ordered only new books because of on going problems with used books having pages pulled out, not receiving CD's that accompany the material, and used codes for websites that were required. When there is information that is needed but not included a person is not getting a "deal", especially when a new code must be purchased for $20-$40 to access the online portion of the course.
It is a shame the companies are taking advantage of people. However, I am past the general ed courses so every book I buy from here on out will benefit me in my career. I think the updated versions of general ed text books should be slowed down because it is typically not a huge change in information. The courses pertaining to career choices should be updated whenever there is a change in the field of study.
My daughter is finishing out her studies for her Master's in Belguim next summer. After having a foreign exchange student in my household a few years ago, she will be now be going to stay with his family. Annual tuition $400. Good savings on the bling and an experience of a lifetime to be thrown into another culture and become bi-langual.
Where the hell is this kid buying books? I am going into my senior year at SU as a biology/anthropology double major and I just ordered my books off of Half.com. I paid $62 dollars for all of my books. I only had to buy one of them as an older edition (3rd rather than 4th). If people are paying that much for books, they aren't trying hard enough to find deals. I guess that's easy when mommy and daddy are paying for it...
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