Spring Break
ASCSU heads campaign to reduce textbook cost
AARON HEDGE
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: News
"We're not after the publishers," Gibson said. "We just want fairness in the marketplace."
Another idea that has already been implemented by other states is a rental system. In California, students can rent textbooks for $130 to $210 per semester. Average cost of purchase is about $450, according The California Aggie, a student-run newspaper at University of California at Davis.
But a rental system would be very expensive to start on a statewide basis.
"The problem is that it would cost about $20 million to implement," Gibson said. "It would have to be state funded."
Some CSU students love the idea of cheaper textbooks.
"A lot of people go online to get the better deal, and the school might make more money if they offer better competition," said Craig LaPorte, a senior computer science major.
"It's great because it is very bipartisan," Gibson said. "Everyone wants cheaper textbooks"
Students in other states are pushing to lower textbook costs as well. A collaborative online campaign among Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Maryland and others called MakeTextbooksAffordable.com presents information to U.S. college students on how to help make textbooks more affordable.
Staff writer Aaron Hedge can be reached at news@collegian.com.
Another idea that has already been implemented by other states is a rental system. In California, students can rent textbooks for $130 to $210 per semester. Average cost of purchase is about $450, according The California Aggie, a student-run newspaper at University of California at Davis.
But a rental system would be very expensive to start on a statewide basis.
"The problem is that it would cost about $20 million to implement," Gibson said. "It would have to be state funded."
Some CSU students love the idea of cheaper textbooks.
"A lot of people go online to get the better deal, and the school might make more money if they offer better competition," said Craig LaPorte, a senior computer science major.
"It's great because it is very bipartisan," Gibson said. "Everyone wants cheaper textbooks"
Students in other states are pushing to lower textbook costs as well. A collaborative online campaign among Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Maryland and others called MakeTextbooksAffordable.com presents information to U.S. college students on how to help make textbooks more affordable.
Staff writer Aaron Hedge can be reached at news@collegian.com.
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