2008 Woodie Awards
Rising textbook costs shine light on affordability crisis
Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: Editorials
In 2006, two students in Florida filed a lawsuit filed against Follett Higher Education Group for overpricing textbooks. This action brought national attention to one of higher education's most difficult challenges: the rising prices of college textbooks. Students spend hundreds of dollars during one semester for used and new books. Despite growing costs, the government and bookstores have failed to work together to provide a practical solution. While waiting for a collaborative effort between the government, universities, faculty and bookstores to achieve lower prices, student advocacy should continue until textbooks are affordable and readily available.
The Follett Higher Education Group class-action lawsuit was filed in November 2006 by two student advocates at Daytona Beach Community College. The students sought to recover $5 million in damages from the nation's largest collegiate bookstore chain due to alleged overcharges by Follett on sales of used textbooks and underpayment for buybacks of used textbooks. The U.S. District Court in Orlando, Fla. deemed that the case lacked "predominance of common issues of law." The court also ruled that since the students were nonresidents, it would need to be addressed by their own states.
Simultaneous to the court proceedings, students at other universities have made efforts to voice their concern and take action to lower textbook costs. Complaints in Ohio provoked Miami University's Associated Student Government (ASG) in 2006 to advocate for Miami's faculty to post their book titles online before the school semester starts. The university senate dismissed the suggestion, arguing that it lacked the necessary degree of jurisdiction over university departments, however ASG's attempt to revisit the issue has yet to result in a tangible solution for students. Nevertheless, ASG should continue attempts to collaborate with administration and faculty to find a solution.
Since 1986, textbook prices have tripled. New updates and editions force students to buy new books, providing an easy way to force higher costs for textbooks. Accordingly, class-action lawsuits like the one presented by the Daytona College students highlight the benefit private companies receive from higher textbook costs, without any benefits for students or the higher education system as a whole. To combat private industry interests, the government must take action.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has proposed a book affordability bill, however there's yet to be any effective results. In the face of stalled legislation, universities need to work with local bookstores to tackle rising costs of textbooks. Alternatives could include Miami's libraries buying more books required for classes or posting books online. These practical options provide solutions to one of a college student's most expensive purchases. Students should not have to take out an additional loan to pay for their textbooks. It is time for students, faculty and bookstores to work together to find a viable solution.
The Follett Higher Education Group class-action lawsuit was filed in November 2006 by two student advocates at Daytona Beach Community College. The students sought to recover $5 million in damages from the nation's largest collegiate bookstore chain due to alleged overcharges by Follett on sales of used textbooks and underpayment for buybacks of used textbooks. The U.S. District Court in Orlando, Fla. deemed that the case lacked "predominance of common issues of law." The court also ruled that since the students were nonresidents, it would need to be addressed by their own states.
Simultaneous to the court proceedings, students at other universities have made efforts to voice their concern and take action to lower textbook costs. Complaints in Ohio provoked Miami University's Associated Student Government (ASG) in 2006 to advocate for Miami's faculty to post their book titles online before the school semester starts. The university senate dismissed the suggestion, arguing that it lacked the necessary degree of jurisdiction over university departments, however ASG's attempt to revisit the issue has yet to result in a tangible solution for students. Nevertheless, ASG should continue attempts to collaborate with administration and faculty to find a solution.
Since 1986, textbook prices have tripled. New updates and editions force students to buy new books, providing an easy way to force higher costs for textbooks. Accordingly, class-action lawsuits like the one presented by the Daytona College students highlight the benefit private companies receive from higher textbook costs, without any benefits for students or the higher education system as a whole. To combat private industry interests, the government must take action.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has proposed a book affordability bill, however there's yet to be any effective results. In the face of stalled legislation, universities need to work with local bookstores to tackle rising costs of textbooks. Alternatives could include Miami's libraries buying more books required for classes or posting books online. These practical options provide solutions to one of a college student's most expensive purchases. Students should not have to take out an additional loan to pay for their textbooks. It is time for students, faculty and bookstores to work together to find a viable solution.
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