UTA Solution
With so many approaches related to textbook prices, legislators are sitting up and taking notice. In recent months, many states have proposed, and several have passed, legislation to address the issue of textbook affordability. According to the National Association of College Stores, 18 states addressed legislation introduced that dealt with textbook costs:
- Virginia enacted a law requiring the state’s public colleges to address the issue of bundling. In short, at the state’s public colleges, if a professor is not going to use each of the items included in a bundle, the professor must notify the bookstore. The bookstore must then attempt to order each of the components separately, if it’s less expensive for the student.
- Connecticut passed legislation that requires publishers to inform professors of the price the textbook is sold to the bookstore and the textbook’s history of revisions.
- Washington State now requires bookstores affiliated with state colleges to inform faculty members of the cost of new textbooks and the differences between the editions.
Capitol Hill is involved in the efforts to reduce textbook prices. The Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance (ACSFA) conducted a one-year study on textbook affordability. Barry Major, Used Textbook Association president, testified at an ACSFA hearing.
UTA Solution: Have a voice and work with legislators who believe booksellers deserve a right to provide affordable textbooks for students and faculty.
To this end, the UTA attended the November 2007 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Textbook Summit where legislative representatives were in attendance. We presented the value and role of used textbooks and how used textbooks are part of the solution for textbook affordability.