Gathered on Bascom Hill last Thursday, the Associated Students of Madison asked a strikingly simple question: Why are textbooks so expensive? The forthcoming answer is guaranteed to shake the foundations of the current monopolistic and antiquated book-buying system.
ASM has already proposed a commission to investigate textbook rental, a cost-saving option already in practice on seven UW system campuses. This is a good first step.
However, starting immediately, the university should make a list of textbooks required for every class available online. This could easily be integrated into the http://my.wisc.edu Web site.
Professors already make textbook lists available to select Madison-area bookstores. Providing this list of required texts on the internet would be an easy solution for students wanting to purchase books online or in area stores.
Even better, these lists could be available two to four weeks before the start of classes, providing plenty of shipping time for online shoppers. This would solve the problem of 40,000 students trying to buy books at just a few bookstores the weekend before classes start.
Further, more course packets should be made available on the Internet-a process that would eliminate copy costs for students willing to read digital versions. Many courses already have supplementary readings available in online reserves.
Both of these quick-fix options will allow low-cost alternatives to students purchasing textbooks and course packets. These solutions will also break the monopolistic advantage of the few area bookstores.
In the long run, we need a nonprofit alternative to buying or renting new and used books on campus. Contrary to popular belief, the University Book Store is not affiliated with UW-Madison. The University Book Store is a private business and just happens to be on campus. The store has no incentive to keep costs low for students.
There are numerous options the university can explore, ranging from the proposed rental system to buying out local bookstores in order to establish a true University Bookstore as a nonprofit arm of the university. And as tution rises, the university must help keep outside costs down.
Needless to say, students should expect change. We expect the university to make textbook lists available online as early as the spring semester. We applaud ASM for its motivation and interest in lowering textbook costs. And we suggest, as a long-term goal a nonprofit alternative that is capable of accommodating professors, negotiating with publishers and providing a cheaper source of college textbooks.
