Let’s work together to lower UNCP textbook costs Partnership is the key! Let’s work together to lower UNCP textbook costs. Partnership is the key!

Let’s look at Mandates from GA. UNCP’s response to these mandates. How faculty can help reduce textbook costs for our students.

GA Mandates Increase average adoption return rate to 85% for semesters and to 90% for semesters. Guaranteed buyback program or textbook rental program must be in place by January Must develop a campus committee to look at textbook related issues. Reduce the average cost of textbooks. Bookstore managers should meet quarterly to discuss best practices and opportunities for improvements. PACE efforts should continue to consider options such as possible changes to sales taxes currently charged for textbooks.

Textbook Adoptions Why so early? National demand for used books far exceeds the supply, and inventory sells quickly. We have to acquire our used books from wholesalers ASAP. “The early bird gets the worm.” The bookstore processes over 1,200 titles in fall and spring semesters Each title requires significant time to check edition status, stock availability, and on-hand inventory. We need to complete this process and communicate any problems, such as out- of-print or out-of-stock, to faculty as early as possible. #1 Adoption Deadline #2 Receive, Enter, Edit & Verify Textbook Info #3 Attempt to purchase USED books From wholesalers #4 Buyback #5 Attempt to purchase USED books from wholesalers #6 Purchase remaining textbooks NEW from publishers #7 Begin selling for semester #8 Return unsold textbooks Textbook Adoption Process

Adoption Return Rate Why are on time adoptions so important? The bookstore can purchase more used books from students. The availability of more used books on the shelf saves students 35%. Purchasing more used books from students puts money back in their pockets at the end of the semester. The bookstore saves the freight costs of returning books that will be used again to publishers/wholesalers. Spring 2009 rate – 95%

Guaranteed Buyback Students are guaranteed to receive 50% of their purchase price at buyback without quantity limits, putting more money into the pockets of students. Saves money on shipping costs and reduces the number of new books being bought. Saves paper, printing and distribution costs. Requires a three-year commitment from the department to use the same textbook for all sections of the course. Saves faculty time adopting only on a three-year cycle. GA’s goal is to have all introductory courses covered under the program. UNCP currently has 34 classes enrolled in the program. (approx. 35%) UNCP will allow any courses to enter the program as long as the book can withstand three years of continuous use.

Currently working on strategies that will insure UNCP meets or exceeds the established GA mandates. Comprised of faculty, administration, and student representatives. Membership: Dr. Charles Harrington, ProvostNeil Hawk, VC Business Affairs Karen Swiney, Bookstore Dir.Reggie Lowery, Textbook Mgr. Dr. Carol Higy, Education Dept.Dr. Shilpa Regan, Psychology Dept. Susan Whitt, Library Rep. Dr. James Frederick, Business Dept. Arjay Quizon, Student Rep. Dr. Stewart Thomas, Business Dept. Kevin Wong, Student Rep. Dr. Judy Curtis, Mass Communication Dept. Jarrod Lowery, Student Rep.Dr. John Raacke, Psychology Dept. Textbook Committee

Average Cost of Textbooks To be reported annually with tuition and fees request. Lack of textbook cost controls and failure to meet benchmarks set forth will result in denial of future tuition and fee requests and support of faculty pay increases. By working together, we can reduce the average cost of textbooks to our students.

What faculty can do Submit DNR list to textbook manager when requested. Continue to get adoptions in on time. When talking to publisher representatives, ask how much your textbooks will cost students. Pass on any special offers by publisher representatives to the textbook manager. Ask publisher representatives when the next edition will be released. Reduce the number of titles adopted but not used. Aggressively promote your Bookstore’s Buyback.

Be very cautious of Publisher Tactics Custom books and bundles often prevent the bookstore and wholesaler from purchasing these books from students during buyback. Bundles with access codes, supplemental workbooks, and missing CDs typically are considered obsolete on the used textbook market. Before you adopt a custom book or bundle… Consider the supplemental components in the bundle. Will you be using the CD, workbook, or study guide for class? If not, is the bundle necessary or will the textbook suffice? Ask the sales rep, “Can the supplemental materials be purchased separately from the main text?” If the answer is no, it is likely the book will not be eligible for buyback. If you have questions about a bundle or custom book, talk to the bookstore. If the components are unnecessary and we are aware of that before buyback, the bookstore may be able to buy the books back from students during buyback at the premium price of 50% of the purchase price.

What is the bookstore doing to help? Campus mailings with deadline information. s, phone calls & visits to academic departments. Offers on-line adoption processing for ease, accuracy, and efficiency. Offers incentives to departments and faculty members to reward on-time adoptions. Offers training to faculty on the on-line adoption system. Provides professors with historical adoption information as needed. Informs professor of problems that may arise during the adoption process. Provides confirmation s to faculty when their adoption is received.

UNCP’s Goals Continue reducing the cost of textbooks by: a) Doubling the number of titles in the guaranteed buyback program in order to provide more used books to students. b) Maintaining an average adoption return rate of 90% or more. c) Providing e-books when available as a hardbound textbook alternative.

Increase titles in guaranteed buyback. GA Mandates that each campus expand their program with the goal to include all introductory courses. Currently UNCP has approximately 35% in the program. Goal is to double this during the next year. Buyback Dollars Spent

Maintain or increase on-time adoption return rate. President Bowle’s benchmarks for continued support of faculty salary increases: 85% UNCP did not meet these benchmarks. Must maintain an average of least 90%. Concentrate on submitting fall semester adoptions on time.

BENCHMARKS: Increase average adoption return rate to 90% for semesters. –UNCP’s 2008 – 2009 = 87.5% Fall 2008 = 85% Spring 2009 = 95% To have 100% of introductory courses covered under the Guaranteed Buyback program. –UNCP currently has 34 classes enrolled in the program. (approx. 35%) Lack of textbook cost controls and failure to meet benchmarks set forth will result in denial of future tuition and fee requests and support of faculty pay increases. Consequences:

Thank you For helping us lower the cost of textbooks to students. If you have any questions about the adoption process or course materials you may contact: Reggie Lowery, Textbook Manager – ext Jacinta Locklear, Assistant Textbook Manager – ext Karen Swiney, Bookstore Director – ext. 6292