FACTC Blog

The FACTC Blog provides faculty a forum for diverse views on instructional issues related to community and technical colleges in Washington state. For information about FACTC (factc.org), contact Phil Venditti, Clover Park Community College, at phil.venditti@cptc.edu. For information about the FACTC Blog, contact Jennifer Wu, North Seattle Community College at jwu@sccd.ctc.edu. We welcome your feedback and ideas.

Apr 10, 2007

Affordable Textbooks for College Students? - Bills Pending in the State Legislature

Students across the nation’s campuses have been struggling with the escalating costs of textbooks. A congressional Advisory Committee has opened an investigation. According to a recent study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, textbook prices have nearly tripled over the past 20 years, increasing at twice the rate of general inflation. Cost increases have been mainly driven by publishers' practices of bundling textbooks with supplemental materials such as Web sites, CD-ROMs, and tutorials. More frequent revisions of textbooks also limit students' opportunity to purchase or resell used textbooks. The study states that the high prices are more burdensome on students attending community and technical colleges, where textbook costs represent about 72 percent of overall tuition and fees.

A growing number of states have passed bills or explored alternatives to controlling textbook costs. The newly enacted Washington State law requires the 4-year public institutions to adopt rules for reducing students' costs of course materials. Two current follow-up bills would include the community and technical colleges. The bills have passed the state House with very strong support and are expected to sail through the Senate.

House Bill 1224 would require community and technical college faculty and staff to consider the least costly practices in assigning course materials without sacrificing the quality of educational content. It would also require campus bookstores to disclose costs, provide unbundling options, and promote buy-back programs. The faculty member who teaches the course will be the sole person to determine whether educational content is comparable. House Bill 2300 would require publishers to disclose retail prices and the extent of revisions, making it easier for faculty to make decisions about course materials.

How effective will the new legislation be in controlling the rising costs of college textbooks? How will it impact the processes and decisions of faculty members in selecting course materials? How well can faculty members actually enforce the intent of the law? The impact remains to be seen. But if Congressional interest and legislative actions eventually lead to more affordable college textbooks to benefit students- our primary stakeholders, it will be a good thing!

Share your thought with us or contact the bill sponsors or your legislators.



Jennifer Wu
North Seattle Community College

Visit my bookmarks on textbook bills and reports at
http://del.icio.us/jwudel/textbooks


13 Comments:

Blogger keenanjam said...

Anything that can lower the textbook costs to students needs to be considered.
I believe that there have been a number of students who have dropped classes on the first day because of discovering the textbook costs. This is not right.
It's harmful to the students, and it's harmful to the institution.
Why is it that Barnes and Noble is even allowed on campus? Does this particular bookseller have some sort of community service mission that I am unaware of? I would have thought just the opposite to be true.
I'd rather keep our copy center up and running at a loss, than allow B&N to gouge our students so badly.

April 11, 2007 4:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The cost of textbooks is one of my main concern when I choose class. Fincancial Aid students do not receive a check till we collect all the signatures from instructors. So many of us who can't afford textbooks on thier own show up class without them. By the time we recieve the check, it is too late to buy them on line, which are much cheaper. Chigusa

April 19, 2007 12:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As one of assignments for POL 102, I actually wrote a letter to Ms. Cantwell about this issue last week. I am hoping other students will do the same. My letter was very simple. I introduced myself, explained why I am back to school, what is my concern as a student and ask her help. It might make difference for us and our children. Please consider writing letter to her. Chigusa

April 29, 2007 1:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I thought this article was very interesting! I was not aware that there were things being done to change the textbook and course material costs. I was astounded to find out that textbooks in community colleges represnt 77% of the tuition rates, how insane is that? I am hoping that the necessary changes will be made, and we will be able to see those in action. I think it is good that the decision is being left up to the teacher, but at the same time they probably don't have to purchase the textbooks, and so they don't feel the burden of the costs. Would it be a worthy idea to have a flat fee every quarter for textbooks for every student? Include it somehow in the tuition? I guess not, because some students are taking less credits than others,but maybe this could be taken into consideration?

May 01, 2007 2:01 AM  
Blogger yvonne york said...

I would like to see more buy back options in the bookstore. The last quarter I had to purchase a $100 nutrition textbook and there was not a single used copy in the store. I do notice flyers of students selling their textbooks independently, but this is very hit-or-miss, especially if you need to get the book right away as the quarters move so quickly. When I l attended the University of Colorado in 1986 books were bought back by the bookstore at 50%, which was not a great deal, but at least there were lots of used books, and they were about 30% cheaper than new. I think we need bookstores to offer a better deal. Teachers should also attempt to keep the materials consistent within a reasonable period.

May 13, 2007 2:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I believe the rising costs of text book are due to the rising cost of living.
If we stop for second, and see it from the author, publisher and the research it goes, in it take lot of time and money. Each of this individual from the authors, publisher, researcher, paper suppler, ink provider, administration, sectary and on, etc… All this people need a decent income. Other why, they cant live there life’s , those individual have to buy grocery and pay rent as rest of us many text-books need lot of research before they publish, and that cost lot off money. If those researchers have limited budget it will hurt the customer who we are the student and facility. As I student I know it is hard to find out that text book is expensive, but for that are solution which are used text book from the college bookstore or online to list view. http://www.amazon.com,
http://www.halfbook.com, or http://www.campusi.com so i don’t encourage this house bill 1224.
Tebebu

May 15, 2007 5:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi there,

We are very happy to ask you to join us at " www.getacheapbook.com ". This is a great website for GRCC's students to sell or buy cheap books from their colleagues. It's absolutely free and easy to register. You don't have to run around campus to post your ads anymore. Register with us and post your adds with just a few steps. And the buyers can easily find your ads in the very good well-organized category. Make student's life easier with getacheapbook.com.

Sincerely,

September 23, 2008 5:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi to every body, it's my first pay a quick visit of this website;
this website carries awesome and really fine data in support of readers.



Visit my site Order Green Garcinia (http://getsgames.com)

August 06, 2014 12:20 PM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

louis vuitton outlet online, nike air max, michael kors outlet online, longchamp outlet online, kate spade handbags, jordan shoes, true religion outlet, michael kors outlet online, gucci handbags, nike air max, coach purses, coach outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, tory burch outlet, true religion, oakley sunglasses, oakley vault, kate spade outlet online, chanel handbags, tiffany jewelry, ray ban outlet, michael kors outlet online, coach outlet, ray ban sunglasses, christian louboutin shoes, prada outlet, longchamp handbags, louis vuitton handbags, prada handbags, nike free, longchamp outlet, tiffany and co jewelry, polo ralph lauren, louis vuitton outlet, christian louboutin outlet, michael kors outlet online, burberry outlet online, louis vuitton, burberry outlet online, coach outlet store online, red bottom shoes, nike shoes, cheap oakley sunglasses, christian louboutin, michael kors outlet, louis vuitton outlet, michael kors outlet store

November 13, 2014 6:32 PM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

wedding dresses, instyler ionic styler, mcm handbags, jimmy choo shoes, uggs outlet, uggs on sale, herve leger, canada goose outlet, babyliss pro, ugg, valentino shoes, canada goose outlet, nfl jerseys, soccer jerseys, ugg soldes, beats headphones, nike huarache, reebok shoes, mac cosmetics, p90x workout, vans outlet, marc jacobs outlet, canada goose, chi flat iron, mont blanc pens, insanity workout, lululemon outlet, nike trainers, celine handbags, ghd, birkin bag, asics shoes, longchamp, giuseppe zanotti, roshe run, rolex watches, ugg boots, north face jackets, canada goose outlet, abercrombie and fitch, new balance outlet, soccer shoes, north face outlet, ferragamo shoes, bottega veneta, hollister, ugg outlet

November 13, 2014 6:33 PM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

moncler, timberland shoes, hollister, louis vuitton canada, toms outlet, juicy couture outlet, louboutin, juicy couture outlet, thomas sabo uk, nike air max, converse, baseball bats, canada goose pas cher, ugg, canada goose, canada goose uk, moncler, supra shoes, ray ban, oakley, pandora jewelry, moncler, replica watches, links of london uk, hollister canada, hollister clothing, iphone 6 case, moncler, pandora charms, canada goose, parajumpers outlet, lancel, gucci, ralph lauren, swarovski uk, montre femme, pandora uk, air max, converse shoes, swarovski jewelry, karen millen, moncler, vans, uggs canada, moncler outlet, coach outlet, wedding dress, moncler

November 13, 2014 6:33 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

http://www.prokr.net/2016/09/furniture-moving-company-buraidah.html
http://www.prokr.net/2016/09/furniture-moving-company-onaizah.html
http://www.prokr.net/2016/09/furniture-moving-company-qassim.html
http://www.prokr.net/2016/09/furniture-moving-company-al-kharj.html
http://www.prokr.net/2016/09/furniture-moving-company-riyadh.html

January 25, 2017 10:41 AM  
Blogger ahmed deraz said...


مكافحة حشرات ابوظبى 0567410494 التاج الملكى
شركة مكافحة حشرات ابوظبى
شركة مكافحة البق ابوظبى

April 10, 2021 11:53 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home