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News

Matter of texts still in the air

SGA aims to keep cost down; profs to provide higher value textbooks

by JESSICA ROBERTSON
Senior Staff Writer 

Along with the Faculty Senate and the provost's office, the Student Government Association is contributing recommendations for a revised textbook and educational materials policy.

The Free Materials Bill authored by College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Sen. David Rosen prohibits the sale of extra free materials in textbooks. 

The bill was signed November and is part of the SGA's plan to keep textbook prices as low as possible, SGA officials said. 

"(We) can't write legislation that makes every book $20, but we've been chipping away at some of the hidden costs," Rosen said. 

The Faculty Senate last month failed to approve a textbook policy that would require professors to donate any royalties earned from textbooks used in classes they teach to a state-approved charity.

"I don't think it's that the Senate can't (pass legislation)," SGA President David Williams said. "They're just looking at a different side of it than we are… They're interested in royalties and our concern is the more direct impact on students that we consider a violation of ethics."

The SGA will likely work on further legislation to address students' concerns if the Senate does not come to a consensus on its policy recommendations, Rosen said.

"It appears that the Faculty Senate hasn't handled this as smoothly as we've expected," Rosen said. "I have more faith in legislation like that passing our senate than theirs."

Psychology professor Richard Kasschau received criticism from Rosen and other SGA members because he receives royalties as both author and publisher of a printed text and author of an electronic text used in his introductory psychology course. 

Rosen said students should not have to pay for some materials included in Kasschau's texts, including a course syllabus, required forms and online quizzes.

"Students had no choice but to buy that book because they needed the syllabus," Rosen said. "(Kasschau) was making money off my constituents. I don't like the idea of people having to pay for their grades."

Kasschau said students in his introductory course must purchase two texts: Psyimple Psych, a 200-page topical outline of his lectures, and Psychology: Exploring Behavior, an electronic text that includes tutorials, interactive quizzes and notes. A new copy of Psyimple Psych at the UH Bookstore costs $25, and the electronic text is $114.30. 

Kasschau would not comment on the royalties he receives each semester, but said the price of both texts is below market value. 

Students are also able to download as many copies of the electronic text as they want once they have paid the initial cost.

Kasschau said overall student performance has increased since he began using the texts nine years ago. Students using the electronic text score 15 to 20 percent higher on tests than other students, he said.

"(Rosen) came in with the idea that I was charging for quizzes," Kasschau said. "What I'm charging for is the book, which the quizzes are a part of. ... (Students) are buying an entire instructional package. ... I use that book because there's nothing better on the market. ... I've got an electronic text that's better than anything in the country. Why shouldn't I benefit here or anywhere else it's used?

"I'm not trying to get myself rich at students' expense. I am offended, as an author, that the University is taking the position that faculty should not benefit from books they have written. It is couched in ‘conflict of interest,' ... but I would counter that there are equally fit issues related to academic freedom." 

The SGA will continue to focus on specific aspects of the textbook policy rather than make a blanket decision regarding textbooks Williams said.

"It's a big issue and we're tackling it little by little," Speaker of the Senate Ken Maynard said. "I think we've made some progress in the most egregious ways students were being taken advantage of."

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