Spring Break
Student governments rally for cheaper textbooks
Aaron Hedge
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: News
The three-member group of lawmakers who hosted the event and will sponsor the legislation in this summer's legislative session said the bill has a good chance of passing and could go into effect as early as spring 2009.
Gibson said the lack of transparency in the textbook industry is one of the biggest issues facing education, as the average student pays between $700 and $1,000 every year for textbooks. This accounts for about one-third of the cost of a bachelor's degree and two-thirds of an associate's.
"This is not just an annoyance; it is a problem that is bankrupting our students," he said.
State Democratic lawmakers Rep. John Kefalas, Rep. Randy Fischer and Sen. Ron Tupa asked students in the Senate Chambers how much they spend on textbooks, and dozens of them said they had at one point paid more than $300 on one book.
When Tupa went to college in the 1990s, he said, the average cost of a textbook didn't exceed $50.
"I say to myself, 'Has the price of ink and paper really gone up that much?'" Tupa said to laughter from the students. "I think this will go toward, I hope, saving you hundreds of dollars."
Kefalas said he and other lawmakers would do everything to ensure the bill's survival.
"We as legislators have listened, and we're looking forward to working with you," he said.
News Editor Aaron Hedge can be reached at news@collegian.com.
Gibson said the lack of transparency in the textbook industry is one of the biggest issues facing education, as the average student pays between $700 and $1,000 every year for textbooks. This accounts for about one-third of the cost of a bachelor's degree and two-thirds of an associate's.
"This is not just an annoyance; it is a problem that is bankrupting our students," he said.
State Democratic lawmakers Rep. John Kefalas, Rep. Randy Fischer and Sen. Ron Tupa asked students in the Senate Chambers how much they spend on textbooks, and dozens of them said they had at one point paid more than $300 on one book.
When Tupa went to college in the 1990s, he said, the average cost of a textbook didn't exceed $50.
"I say to myself, 'Has the price of ink and paper really gone up that much?'" Tupa said to laughter from the students. "I think this will go toward, I hope, saving you hundreds of dollars."
Kefalas said he and other lawmakers would do everything to ensure the bill's survival.
"We as legislators have listened, and we're looking forward to working with you," he said.
News Editor Aaron Hedge can be reached at news@collegian.com.
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