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The Daily OrangeNew act to cut college textbook prices
Publishers required to tell professors about updates and revisions
By Nicole Loring
Posted: 2/14/08, 12:25 AM EST Section: News
As reported in The Daily Orange on Jan. 28, NYPIRG surveyed 80 SU students about how much they spent on textbooks this semester, and 35 students agreed to pose for a photograph holding a whiteboard showing exactly how much their books cost.
The average amount of money spent by these students was approximately $500, said Brooker.
"These pictures were sent to local, state and federal legislators so that lawmakers could see the personal cost of high textbook prices," he said. "The legislators that we showed these pictures to were dumbfounded that students are spending $700, $800, $900 a semester on textbooks; they didn't know it was that big of an issue."
HR 4137 will do a lot to lower these prices, Brooker said. "The biggest part about this bill is openness in the textbook industry. It mandates that textbook manufacturers and publishers release basic information so that professors get all the information about a textbook," he said.
Elliott said the bill would require publishers to tell professors the price of textbooks before they bought them. "It would also make universities reveal the ISBN numbers of the required texts to students early, preferably as soon as students could register for classes," so students could shop around for lower prices, she said.
"If it does nothing to bring down the cost of the textbooks themselves, the bill will at least show the professors the price so they can choose different books or older editions to bring down the cost to students," Brooker said
"Removing color photos, a hard cover and laminating can take a textbook price down from $150 to $40 or $50, which will save the average student taking five classes about $500 a semester," Brooker said.
Elliott encouraged students who are interested in this bill to get involved. She said those interested should write to their senator or congressmen.
"We're the constituents, so it's good for them to hear from us," she said.
Brooker agreed that students could be a major force in getting HR 4137 to pass in the Senate.
"Especially this year, with students getting out in the polls and voting, legislators are realizing that we are a powerful voting block, and that we have needs that they can meet," he said.
naloring@syr.edu
The average amount of money spent by these students was approximately $500, said Brooker.
"These pictures were sent to local, state and federal legislators so that lawmakers could see the personal cost of high textbook prices," he said. "The legislators that we showed these pictures to were dumbfounded that students are spending $700, $800, $900 a semester on textbooks; they didn't know it was that big of an issue."
HR 4137 will do a lot to lower these prices, Brooker said. "The biggest part about this bill is openness in the textbook industry. It mandates that textbook manufacturers and publishers release basic information so that professors get all the information about a textbook," he said.
Elliott said the bill would require publishers to tell professors the price of textbooks before they bought them. "It would also make universities reveal the ISBN numbers of the required texts to students early, preferably as soon as students could register for classes," so students could shop around for lower prices, she said.
"If it does nothing to bring down the cost of the textbooks themselves, the bill will at least show the professors the price so they can choose different books or older editions to bring down the cost to students," Brooker said
"Removing color photos, a hard cover and laminating can take a textbook price down from $150 to $40 or $50, which will save the average student taking five classes about $500 a semester," Brooker said.
Elliott encouraged students who are interested in this bill to get involved. She said those interested should write to their senator or congressmen.
"We're the constituents, so it's good for them to hear from us," she said.
Brooker agreed that students could be a major force in getting HR 4137 to pass in the Senate.
"Especially this year, with students getting out in the polls and voting, legislators are realizing that we are a powerful voting block, and that we have needs that they can meet," he said.
naloring@syr.edu
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