Benjamin Rizzo
Gov. Arnorld Schwarzenegger has undoubtedly penned many an autograph in his days as both a respected governor and a Hollywood hero.
But before Oct. 14, college students and lawmakers around the state want him to sign one more piece of paper, one last time. Two competing bills passed through hundreds of hands recently at the state legislature, shedding light on skyrocketing college textbook prices.
Now, they sit on the desk of Schwarzenegger, who can make either or both bills laws with the stroke of a pen.
The College Textbook Affordability Act, SB 832, authored by Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro), and the College Textbook Transparency Act, AB 1548, written by Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana), examine the principles and practices of bookstores, publishers and faculty in dealing with the pricing of college textbooks.
“The more I learned,” said Assemblyman Solorio, “I found there were multiple parties involved in gouging students.”
According to research by the General Accounting Office and independent students, as of 2005, textbook prices are 72 percent of the cost of tuition at an average community college and 26 percent of tuition at the average four-year university.
Within the literature of the bill, SB 832 requires that publishers print textbooks that are inexpensive, keep editions of texts on the market for as long as possible and make available for sale any supplementary items bundled with the texts, as long as any of the said requirements do not sacrifice the educational quality of the textbooks.
In addition, the bill demands that faculty consider the least costly, educationally sound textbook assignments. Meanwhile, bookstores will work with them, reviewing timelines involved in ordering. Bookstores are also asked to promote book buyback programs.
AB 1548 requires that publishers print, either on the cover or within the pages of the text, any major changes they have made to existing prior editions, and an estimate of how long the new edition will be in print.
The bill also asks campus Bookstores to post a description of their markup policies on the shelves and on their Web sites, while demanding faculty not receive any money or gifts from publishers for adopting specific course materials.
One more concern of AB 1548 is the improper sale and/or distribution of free review course materials and instructors’ copies of texts, as the presence of these copies force the printing of new editions. Both bills are in agreement upon encouraging faculty to practice timely ordering responsibilities.
One major difference of the bills, however, is the demands of publishers by SB 832. This bill requires that publishers provide extensive lists to faculty concerning product content, edition changes and length of time on the market. All lists would also be made available on the publisher’s Web site.
There are proponents on each side of the competing bills, with one common goal in mind: save students money. According to Greg Osweiler, Pierce College Bookstore manager, SB 832 is the better bill.
“AB 1548 doesn’t really call for any reinforcements, and asks to implement practices already in place,” said Osweiler. He stated that SB 832’s strength lies in its calling for timely submission by faculty of preferred texts, promoting used book sales and asking publishers to maintain editions for as long as possible.
When asked what role instructors have in the matter, Osweiler said, “They hold the key responsibility, because their choices determine what goes on the shelf.”
The proof of these “practices already in place” lies in the Bookstore’s numbers.
“Last year, we tried to rewrite the story of the Bookstore,” said Osweiler. At the end of the spring semester, the Bookstore more than doubled the amount of book buybacks giving the students $120,000 compared to $58,000 from the previous year.
This increase, according to Osweiler, is directly attributed to the Bookstore’s impressing upon instructors to turn textbook requisitions in on time. If the Bookstore knows that a text will sell, it can then buy it back from students.
According to Assemblyman Solorio, AB 1548 is a much stronger approach. The main goal of his bill is to bring public awareness to the problem of rising textbook prices.
“I want these people to know we are watching their practices,” said Solorio, referring to college bookstores. “It’s time we hold these individuals accountable. I want faculty members to be advised about the best ways to keep students in mind with decisions.” Solorio doesn’t want students to have to go on a Web site to find out about textbook edition changes and pricing, he wants the information to be readily available at the Bookstore.
“If you’re going to the store to buy a box of macaroni and cheese, do you want the consumer to have information on the box?” asked Solorio.
Critics of AB 1548 are quick to point out that the bill promotes changes that won’t take place until 2010. According to Solorio, only one part of the bill would take some time. “When you have major changes,” said Solorio, “You want them done right. I’d rather go the whole enchilada.”
He also said he’d continue to work on the rising cost of college fees in the future.
“I’m going to keep my eyes and ears open for ways to save students money,” said Solorio. “If student governments have ideas for controlling costs, let me hear them.”
Before adjourning on Sept. 12, the Legislature sent the bills to Gov. Schwarzenegger, who can either sign the bills into law, allow them to become law without his signature, or veto them. If signed, the bills will go into effect on January 1, 2008.
According to his press office, as of Friday Schwarzenegger had not yet taken a position on the bills.
“If either bill passes, I’ll be really happy,” said Gaby Bernal, 18, a freshman at Pierce who spent almost $150 on her math book this semester. “Who wouldn’t be happy about paying less money for books?”
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