A True Success Story for the UTA
How well is the UTA working? Well, the answer is in the attachment from our Student Body President. I have spent the past three months working with our student government officers on textbook prices. THEY GET IT! They get it because the information from the UTA website clearly defines the issues and offers the best solution to high textbook prices.
Thanks UTA, for providing the resources we needed to get the message out to our faculty in an effective way.
Bob Spencer
Seattle University
April 16, 2008
Dear Seattle University Professor,
The Associated Students of Seattle University, ASSU, together with Seattle University bookstore manager Bob Spencer, would like to share information with you regarding a vital issue among students concerning textbook costs. Year after year students recognize that textbook costs are becoming a huge problem as prices have steadily increased while the uses of used textbooks are declining. The ASSU understands that students are very dissatisfied with the cost associated with purchasing textbooks. This is evident as over 50% of undergraduate students listed "reducing textbook costs" as the top suggested priority for their student government to advocate for. (Based off the 2006-2007 results from State of the Student Survey) It is important to understand that professors have the single biggest influence on the textbook prices that students must pay. For this reason, ASSU has decided to ask that all professors in all undergraduate colleges sign a pledge to committing to the following:
Pledge #1: Turn in the 2008 Summer/Fall quarter textbook orders in to the SU bookstore no later than May 2nd, 2008 and continue meeting textbook order deadlines for future quarters.
- By far the most important factor in reducing costs for students, by turning textbook orders in early or on-time increases the bookstores ability to purchase more used textbooks. (Providing students with cheaper options as used textbooks are significantly cheaper) If the bookstore cannot purchase used books, obviously, the bookstore is then forced to purchase more new textbooks, which is primarily the second choice for students. The Seattle University Bookstore is already at a disadvantage as semester schools purchase the majority of used books.
- Another significant benefit for students comes in the form of bookstore buyback prices. By turning textbook orders in early or on-time and re-adapting a previous textbook, the bookstore can then assure around a 50% buyback rate for students. If the textbook order has not been turned in on-time then the bookstore can only provide around a 0 - 15% buyback rate. It is also important to recognize that receiving a poor buyback rate is a key element of student dissatisfaction regarding textbook transactions.
2006-2007 On-time Book Order Compliance Rate (By College):
Excellent:
Science & Engineering 100%
Nursing 100%
Needs Improvement:
Theology & Ministry 75%
Arts & Sciences 50%
Poor:
Business 20%
Education 10%
(Information provided by the Seattle University Bookstore)
Pledge #2: Extend the use of previous textbook editions if deemed by the course professor that the material in that edition is still relevant, useful and effective.
- Students are very frustrated with the adoption of the newest textbook editions when only minor changes are made. Often times these newer editions have little or no changes in content yet hurt students financially in two ways: 1) Students are forced to purchase higher priced new versions. 2) Students from previous quarters will not be offered a buyback and cannot sell there older editions at a reasonable rate.
Pledge #3: Reducing, or preferably, eliminating the use of "bundled" textbook packages.
- If the course utilizes all components of the bundle then value is provided. However, if only the textbook is utilized in the course then the bundle becomes expensive and overvalued.
- Impact is also felt at the buyback counters. If a student misplaces a piece of the bundle they often cannot recover any of their costs for the remaining pieces.
These three pledges are absolutely crucial in effectively reducing yearly textbook costs to students dramatically and in a timely manner. These are also three pledges that ASSU and Bob Spencer have deemed as a needed requirement for textbook costs to be effectively reduced. ASSU and Bob Spencer are committed to advocating for these three specific pledges.
HOW TO PLEDGE:
ASSU asks that all professors turn in this pledge by either (1) Physically dropping this document off to the ASSU office, STCN 360, or (2) Electronically by emailing "pledge" to ASSUPresident@seattleu.edu from their Seattle University e-mail account. (Completing this document is unnecessary if pledging by email) ASSU will create a public list available online and send an email to all-undergraduates of professors who have signed the pledge by May 2nd, 2008, commending their commitment towards the financial wellbeing of students.
By pledging and following through on these priorities, each student can potentially save hundreds of dollars a throughout the year.
Please note that this document is an unbinding pledge as there will be no direct repercussion from Seattle University Administration. This pledge, instead, hopes to raise awareness and stress the importance towards professors about student dissatisfaction with textbook prices and how professors can help reduce costs.
FUTURE PLANS:
Since turning book orders in on-time has been an ongoing issue along with the high cost of textbooks, ASSU is committed to addressing this particular issue for the long-run as well as short-run. ASSU tentatively plans on re-issuing a similar pledge on a quarterly basis in coming quarters until this issue can be addressed through administrative policy, professor incentives or is resolved through action from ASSU. ASSU also plans on working with newly appointed Provost Dr. Isaiah Crawford to progress this issue.
For more information on ways to reduce textbook costs, please visit: www.usedtextbookassociation.org
Aaron Yoon
Student Body President
Associated Students of Seattle University
Bob Spencer, Manager
Seattle University Bookstore
________________________________________________________________________
Professor Name: (First) ____________________ (Last) ____________________
Seattle University College(s): ____________________
Signature: _______________________________ Date: ____________________
(This document was approved by the ASSU Representative Assembly on 4/16/08 by a # - # vote and signed by the ASSU President on 4/17/08)
Member testimonials give UTA strong support
Larry Cavanagh
Algonquin College First Class Bookstore
cavanal@algonquincollege.com
I believe that the used textbook industry has need of a strong voice explaining the differences between the various textbook programs that claim to save the student money. There is also a need to for an advocate to work between the wholesalers and publishers. As technology advances, the reasons for them to work together are greater than ever before. Technology can provide a means to keep editions in print longer, thus making used textbooks more readily available, while still providing the adoption revenue for the publishers.
Legislators across North America are looking for ways to save students money on textbooks. There is no need for legislation. Used textbooks already provide the answer. UTA members can easily illustrate to their clients just how much money can be saved when you have used textbooks available as an alternative to new. I know that when I explain to my clients here at Algonquin College the savings we have facilitated, they are left gob smacked!
By joining the UTA, you are saying to your students, instructors, publishers and legislators that your store is committed to saving your students money while giving greater credibility to that much needed voice. That is why I joined, and I hope more College Stores do as well!
Sue Slater
Bearkat Books
sslater1@swbell.net
I joined the Used Textbook Association because I think we really need a loud voice out there representing what's best for the students.
It's a great way to show students that we're on their side!
I want to help keep textbooks affordable in any way I can. I think when we all come together with a common goal; we will find a way to succeed.
Kimberly Wolf
Gettysburg College Bookstore
kwolf@gettysburg.edu
I am relatively new to the Used Textbook Association. But I have already been impressed by the website and the online tools for bookstores.
Used books are important to the student and saving money.
The tools and assistance the UTA provides are real benefits to the bookstore and to the students.
Paul Wright
Northern Michigan University Bookstore
pwright@nmu.edu
The Used Textbook Association is a group of industry professionals and one of the biggest advantages is that the UTA gives that industry one public voice.
Legislators want to look for ways to save students money on textbooks. We already have a solution: used textbooks are ultimately a real savings for students. It is important to have a unified voice to represent the UTA members and students to legislators.
One great benefit of UTA membership is the easy access to materials to promote used books. These tools are easy to download from the UTA website. They are good materials to share the message that we want more used books.
The most important benefit of the Used Textbook Association is the creation of awareness. The UTA can really help increase awareness of the value of used textbooks for bookstores and for students. The more members there are, the more the message will spread.
Starla Clawson
Student Union Bookstore
starla.clawson@okstate.edu
The Number One thing I like about the Used Textbook Association is the real tools they provide members. On the UTA website, members can access documents to send to faculty about their books store orders.
The material makes its clear what used books do for the bookstore - and the students.
Displaying the UTA yellow logo sends a positive message.
Ernest Mooney
Virginia Book Company
emooney@vabookco.com
The Used Textbook Association provides a unified voice on textbook policy.
The UTA provides clear policy and statistics that we can include in a massive education effort. We are sending letters to University leaders. We are moving forward - and we include UTA in our messages.
We are even sharing UTA message with our students.
We are not going to sit back and watch and wait. We are going to the faculty and students to lobby for full textbook adoption. We use the UTA tools in our messages.
Heather Shuey
Johnson County Community College Bookstore
hshuey@jccc.edu
The Used Textbook Association offers members tremendous benefits and resources on the website. We can use the tools in communication to faculty and textbook buyers.
The UTA is a positive source of instruction, information and support resources.
Bruce Chesterman
Spokane Falls Community College Bookstore
bchesterman@ccs.spokane.edu
I believe that the UTA is a strong advocate for used books and will be a voice at regional and national meetings. A strong presence at these functions as well as at any political meetings will help to keep our voice heard regarding the price and bundling issues with publishers that may arise.
UTA has also created a wonderful website that has information to help stores advertise the used book and promote the significance of used books to the students and faculty.
Bill Hockensmith
University of Maine Bookstore
bill_hockensmith@umit.maine.edu
The Used Textbook Association is a great resource for all bookstores.
The resources are easy to use -- and valuable.
We have used several tools from the website. The website is exciting!
Robert Spencer
Seattle University Bookstore
bspencer@seattleu.edu
The Used Textbook Association is the only organization in the country specially focused to being proactive for used books. UTA provides an advocacy to support and promote used books.
It is a fact: used books are part of the textbook market. We need an advocacy organization to tell the truth about the value and contributions of used books.
The UTA is a reflection of what customers want: our customers demand used books.
The UTA approach to advocacy, and the tools it provides members, offers real professional enhancements for members.
Bob Somers
UMBC Bookstore
somers@umbc.edu
As you know, the UMBC Bookstore is 150 % behind the efforts of the UTA to bring the value of used textbooks to the forefront of our industry. We are in a unique period of strange alliances and stranger new technologies. There are many who may not have the resources to combat the huge growth of non-traditional competition. Thankfully, the efforts of the UTA allow everyone the opportunity to share and contribute to the necessary tools needed to accomplish their jobs effectively.
The Used Textbook Association provides the tools that bookstores need. The professional tools are easy to download from the website, and have proven to be effective.
We sent the UTA-designed postcard to faculty members. It took very little effort to personalize and print the postcards, which were, like all tools produced by the UTA, presented clearly and professionally. We also have utilized the CD that explained the real cost of textbooks. Again, this was a valuable tool for us and was well received by our customers. We positioned two screens, one located in our textbook department and the other near our checkout area for maximum exposure. Our customers absolutely took the time to view the video, and on a few occasions approached staff members with questions and/or comments. We felt that at the very minimum, we took the horse to the water!!
Many of the tools and ideas from the UTA website are generally accepted practices. However, the UTA has made it easy to share this information with new audiences, and encouraged them to try these procedures and tools in their stores.
It is our belief that the value of the used textbook is indisputable, and should be viewed as the most effective tool in our attempt to remain an integral, financially responsible partner in the educational environment.
Laurie Bales
Portland Community College Bookstore Manager
lbales@pcc.edu
PCC's membership in the UTA brings an extra value to our students and our institution. It's like adding a marketing staff member to the bookstore team. The materials and toolkits that have been developed are professional and varied to meet the needs of different audiences.
At PCC, we have a large contingent faculty presence. One of our biggest challenges is connecting with the faculty to help them understand the nuances of our industry and the important role they play in keeping textbooks affordable. Multiple communication channels are required to get the word out.
We use the Faculty Adoption toolkits to communicate the message in a variety of ways. The versatility of the materials increases our effectiveness.
Bill Muggy
Jayhawk Bookstore
bmuggy@jayhawkbookstore.com
As a Private Store owner and advocate of the UTA objectives, I am pleased that an association is in place to assist store and textbook managers in pursing used textbook emphasis on campuses. The UTA outreach will provide resources and methods to reach faculty, students, and administrations on means to carve into the expense of text books; and provide revenue and subsequent avenues for book buyback to reach other users, when ever possible.