News

Textbook ordering is flawed

by Lisa Street
Senior Staff Writer

Although buying textbooks is a ritual with which most students are familiar, the way in which those books reach the shelves is often a mystery. The process begins with a triangular relationship between the publisher, professors and the bookstore -- a relationship that, according to some participants, isn't always peaches and cream.

Publishers' representatives make information about textbooks, including new editions and component packaging possibilities, available to professors by sending out sample examination copies and paying visits to various departments. After evaluating the materials, professors decide which text best addresses their criteria and whether a change in an edition is necessary.

"The type of textbook depends on the instructor," said Jocelyn Ronquillo, office coordinator for the Department of Anthropology "They request review copies, and if the text is up to their liking, they will switch. If not, they will keep the same edition."

Some departments, such as mathematics -- whose materials are supplied mainly by publisher Tompson Learning -- ordered loose-leaf versions of expensive textbooks this semester, lowering the price for students but also cutting the bookstore out of the used textbook market.

"When departments go to loose-leaf, there's no chance to purchase the books back from the students," John Bolch, the University Bookstore's textbook manager, said. "And, it doesn't offer the students the opportunity to sell the book back at the end of the semester."

Department heads also experience kinks in the textbook ordering process. The bookstore sends order forms for the fall semester in February to specific contacts in each department, and the forms are due back to the bookstore office in April. But Valerie Gudell, an academic adviser at the Hines College of Architecture, said communication between the bookstore and department contacts about textbook ordering forms is less than desirable.

"After receiving the forms, filling them out and sending them in, we do not get a confirmation from the bookstore about the order," Gudell said. "And several times I and other professors have received numerous harassing e-mails from the bookstore saying that our book order was incomplete, even though I sent the completed order several times in e-mails and in faxes."

Mass e-mails are usually sent to departments when order is missing or when information about classes that do not require books is incomplete, University Bookstore General Manager Mary McFather said.

"While some departments may have the majority of their orders in, we want to let them know there is a sense of urgency about completing the order, but definitely not in a harassing manner," McFather said. "Sending the orders in through e-mail is the best procedure, because documentation is backed up."

Other ordering problems reported by department heads included not receiving the specific texts they ordered and not receiving an ample supply of textbooks to meet the needs of student enrollment.

"I tried to order one specific textbook that came with a CD-ROM, and the bookstore refused to order it," said Patti Tolar, program manager in the Department of Psychology "They called and said they wouldn't order the packet because they could get the textbook used instead. We decided not to fight it."

Those complaints and other textbook ordering problems can be addressed during a luncheon the bookstore will hold for department coordinators in March, McFather said.
 

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