Profs take skeptical look at textbook
rental system
While the idea of having a textbook rental
system on this campus has not been ruled out, some faculty members
feel that many obstacles would have to be overcome before such a system
could be introduced at the University.
The rental system at Eastern Illinois University is often cited as
an example of a successful system; however, the program requires that
teachers use the same book for two years or three semesters, and students
must return their books after each semester.
University sociology professor Kimberly Kendall, who formerly taught
at EIU, said that she did not like the textbook rental system because
students were not allowed to mark in their books.
"Marking up a book is a way to synthesize information," Kendall said.
"What students gain in pocket money, they lose in understanding of
what's being taught."
Nina Baym, professor in English, also disliked the idea of having
a textbook rental system at the University.
"Surprisingly, students like to keep their books," Baym said. "Not
every student and not every book, but some students do like to have
their books for a three or four-year period."
Baym also said that the regulations imposed by the textbook rental
system at EIU would not work at the University.
"For the kind of school we are, those rules don't make a lot of sense,"
she said.
Florence Arnoux-Roussel, teaching assistant in French, said having
a book rental system in the French department would save students
money.
"We only read three texts in this book," Arnoux-Roussel said. "It's
not worth it."
Arnoux-Roussel also said her French class uses the same book for a
10-year period, but the University changes to the newest edition every
two years.
Although some classes do use the same textbook for several years,
other professors might enjoy the freedom of choosing textbooks from
year to year.
"One problem I could see with the rental system is that faculty would
feel constrained to using the same textbook," said Eileen Herrstrom,
professor in geology.
Herrstrom said she also saw difficulties in arranging the system —
deciding who would be in charge and who would order the textbooks.
"There could be some difficulty in implementing a rental system,"
Herrstrom said. "But if those difficulties could be overcome, the
system seems logical to me."
Kendall agreed that beginning a rental system on this campus would
be difficult.
"The logistics of managing a rental system would be huge," she said.
"If we need to cut down on costs, let's make textbooks cheaper."
Baym agreed that students should not have to spend so much on textbooks.
"I am sensitive to cost," Baym said. "I try as much as possible to
look for cheaper editions (of textbooks)."
But Baym also said that while students are expected to pay for their
books, they can usually find used books or get assistance from the
University through student loans.
"Students in financial trouble can get help," she said.
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