The Bookstore Problem

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The Bookstore Problem

• Group 4
• Todd Hochmuth
• Emily Nathan
• Kelly Frericks
• Brittney Dabler
• Mike Vipond

2
Our Initial Discussion Question

• What advice can our group provide to the Dean of
  Students for improving textbook purchases and
  buybacks for students?

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What is the Problem?

• Book prices are very high
• Buyback prices are very low considering the high
  purchase price

4
Students voice their opinions

• Surveyed 55 students (approx. 5 of student
  body)
  
• Average single book price approx. 53
• Average total book costs for Spring Semester 2002
  - approx. 350
  
• Average total book refunds approx. 52

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Interview with Don Gladfelter

• Wirtz Bookstore
• College Bookstores of America
• School Makes a Percentage of the Monthly Sales
• Buybacks are a Privilege

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Interview with the Bookstore Personnel

• Book Pricing 2-3 profit
• Shipping Charges
• Buyback Policies

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Students Proposed Solutions(from Surveys)

• Have a set paid for buybacks regardless of
  future use
  
• Student Senate idea of trading and buying between
  students
  
• Book Rental System
• Professors shouldnt require unnecessary books
• Lower book prices
• Dont allow teachers to get new editions of books
  as often
  
• Base buyback on condition of book

10
Some of our Possible Solutions

• Book Rental
• Other Outsourced Companies
• School Take over the Bookstore
• Book Purchasing totally Online

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Online Prices

• For our class Small Group Communication Book, we
  checked four different sources
  
• - College Bookstores of America- 57.00 (new)
  42.75 (used)
  
• - Amazon.com- 59.00 (new)
• - Efollett.com - 44.25 (used)
• - Barnes and Noble - 59.00 (new)

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Other School Policies

• St. Olaf College- The Big Package deal.
• Knox College- Privately Run Bookstore
• Quincy University- Purchase books through
  efollett.com
  
• Truman State University- Purchase books through
  Barnes Noble
  

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Then the light bulb appeared

• Maybe the prices arent the problem.

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Why?

• Looking back on the information we received,
  there were many drawbacks to every colleges
  bookstore policy.
  
• There were also many disadvantages to each of
  our proposed solutions.
  
• Book prices are high across the board. The price
  is mandated by the manufacturers, not the
  middlemen.

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Our new discussion question

• What can the bookstore and the college do to
  educate the students and faculty?

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Problems that we want to solve

• The entire student body needs to be educated
  about the reasoning behind the cost of books and
  the buy back policies.
  
• The entire faculty needs to be informed about how
  they can help improve the prices and the money
  given at buy backs.
  
• Improve communication between the student body,
  faculty, administration, and bookstore
  personnel.

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Criteria for a Solution

• Solution must be effective and able to reach
  entire student body as well as the faculty.
  
• Solution must be financially attainable as well
  as having the necessary resources.
  
• Solution must not require more than a certain
  amount of time from any member of the
  administration or bookstore staff.

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Possible Solutions

• A faculty meeting at the beginning of each
  semester to inform them of bookstore issues.
  Professors would be expected to discuss the value
  of their book with their classes and allow them
  to voice any concerns.
• Distribute fliers to mailboxes each semester
  explaining the policies of the bookstore.
  
• Hold two open forums/ semester where students,
  faculty, bookstore staff and administration can
  openly communicate their concerns regarding the
  bookstore.

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Our Chosen Solution

• Open forum
• Twice per semester
• Fliers
• Announcements in The Courier
• Representative from administration to serve as
  mediator.
  
• Minutes taken from the forum printed in The
  Courier after each meeting.

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How we would put this plan into action

• The bookstore staff, administration, and faculty
  would need to be contacted about their
  willingness to cooperate in these open forums.
  
• Notification of students through fliers at the
  bookstore, posters around campus and an article
  in The Courier.

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Hopeful Outcome

• Students dissatisfaction would decrease with an
  increase in communication.
  

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Thanks To.

• The Monmouth College Bookstore staff
• Don Gladfelter
• Students surveyed
• Knox College
• Truman State University
• Quincy University
• St. Olaf College

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Any Questions?