Associated Students Bookstore

AS Bookstore

	Student Operated Since 1929.	AS Chico • CSU, Chico • Alumni • Bookstore Info.

Affordability of College Textbooks

Communicate the provisions contained within recent state laws regarding textbook affordability to ensure that all faculty are aware of the existence of these laws and steps they can take to possibly reduce textbook costs.

• Meet with departments (depending upon their availability) once a semester to update them on ATI, textbook laws, options to
  reducing textbook costs (like digital textbooks, old editions, course packets, etc.), and Bookstore textbook programs aimed to
  offering students choices and lower options (such as our guaranteed buyback program, buyback, old editions, rentals,
  providing a reference copy to the library for certain classes, etc.).
• Meet with University Executive Committee when necessary to update them on textbook laws (both CA and Federal) and
  textbook affordability.
• Post textbook laws on Bookstore website.

Advise faculty to submit their textbook adoption information to the bookstore by the due dates to make certain that the bookstore can obtain as many used books as possible and purchase books back from students at higher prices.

• Meet with ASAs once a semester to review due dates, answer questions regarding online textbook requisition process, update
  them on textbook information.
• Meet with departments and Deans once a semester (depending upon availability of departments and Deans) to review due
  dates, answer questions regarding the online textbook requisition process, explain our “One-Click” email textbook request
  process, and how buyback is affected by their decisions, including when they turn in their textbook requests and our
  “Guaranteed Buyback” program which has increased from 50% to 60% starting Spring of 2010.
• Submit a “No textbook request” report to Deans once a semester.
• Work with student organizations and groups to educate faculty regarding textbook due dates and buyback.

Encourage faculty to consider price in the textbook adoption process and, without compromising the quality of the education students receive or the academic freedom of faculty, to consider adopting less costly textbooks where possible.

When speaking with faculty in department meetings, on the phone, or in person regarding their textbook decision we
consistently offer the following choices to keep textbook prices low for students:

• Used textbook (including using an older edition)
• An E-textbook (electronic or digital textbook)
• Course packet (reader)
• Custom textbook – needs publisher’s support.
• Cost effective bundles where all materials will be used – needs publisher’s support.
• Rental

Instruct faculty to consider adopting textbooks that are not bundled with supplementary products, unless all the components are required for the course.

We speak to all faculty when they request a bundle textbook to discuss the following:

• Are they using all the supplemental materials? If not, then better for students if sold separately, so used books can be offered.
• How utilizing a bundle may affect buyback prices for students at the end of the semester – usually means lower buyback
price.
• Usually no E-textbook can be offered unless supplemental material(s) is sold separately – needs publisher’s cooperation.