Natalie Yemenidjian
Two bills attempting to combat high textbook prices were sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk this month, but on Oct. 14 Assembly Bill 1548 passed, while Senate Bill 832 was vetoed.
Both bills were similar in that they aim to inform instructors about edition changes, what additional supplements come with the books and, most importantly, prices.
Although similar, the bills had supporters from completely different ends of the spectrum.
The American Association of Publishers supported AB 1548, which will take effect in 2010, while SB 832 was supported by the California Public Interest Research group (CalPIRG). In the governor’s veto message, he explains, “(SB 832) focuses strictly on textbook publisher policies and fails to recognize that the affordability of textbooks is a shared responsibility among publishers, college bookstores, and faculty members.”
He also said he chose AB 1548 instead because it “recognizes the shared responsibility and attempts to address the issue in a more comprehensive manner.”
Nicole Allen, a textbooks advocate for CalPIRG, was opposed to the governor’s choice, citing AB 1548’s seemingly weak requirements.
She referred to a poll taken by CalPIRG, which apparently discovered that teachers would choose cheaper textbooks if the prices were disclosed up front by publishers.
“SB 832 would’ve required (textbook companies) to tell (teachers) the prices of the product. It fixes a flaw in the textbook prices,” said Allen, from her office in Portland.
“It allows natural market forces to function in order to drive prices down,” she said.
Pierce Bookstore Manager Greg Osweiler said neither of these bills would’ve decreased textbook prices.
“The used book section of the industry supported AB 1548 because it called upon strong buyback, early adoptions…as a way for students to save money,” said Osweiler. “Neither bill is a magic bullet. There’s no enforcement mechanism in them.”
According to Osweiler, Pierce’s policy regarding the selling of textbooks is no different than AB 1548’s requirements, therefore students won’t see a dramatic change.
“We doubled the buyback last spring semester. We gave $60,000 more to students. We want to increase buyback by another 25 percent,” said Osweiler.
In November, the Bookstore is planning to host a book fair in order to get instructors and publishing representatives to meet face to face.
Also, the bookstore will be advertising the buyback by going from class to class passing out buyback guarantee cards. Students will be able to sell their books back to the store for the set price on the card.