A Report on the Feasibility of Textbook Rental - IBHE

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Response from Provost Presley and Vice President Adams to“A <strong>Report</strong> on the Feasibility of Textbook Rental Programs and OtherTextbook Cost-Saving Alternatives in Illinois Public Higher Education”Prepared by the Illinois Board of Higher EducationDecember 2006Senate Resolution 692 directed “the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), in conjunction with theIllinois Community College Board (ICCB), to conduct a study of the cost and feasibility of implementingtextbook rental programs at community colleges and public universities as well as identifying othertextbook cost saving alternatives.” The <strong>Report</strong> appropriately addresses the various issues impacting thecost of college textbooks, the strengths and weaknesses of a textbook rental program, and alternatives to arental program.IBHE determined that the success of a textbook rental program is dependent upon:• Sufficient mandatory rental fees to cover annual operating costs• Additional funding for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) to provide additional funds for lowincomestudents facing fee increases for textbook rentals.• Campuses developing a consensus among students, faculty and administrators that “a textbookrental program is an effective method for reducing textbook costs without adversely affectingquality”• Addressing start-up costs for implementing a textbook rental program• Sufficient storage space for textbook inventory• Development of textbook rental policies and proceduresThe key issues in implementing a textbook rental program at Illinois State University remain the same• Start-up costs ($16 million)• Space to store textbook inventory and distribute textbook rentals (20,000 sq, ft.)• Difficulty in implementing a textbook rental program at an institution the size and complexity ofIllinois State University (large enrollment, small class size with diversity of class offerings,research emphasis)• Commitment from faculty to selecting a textbook across sections of same course• Commitment from faculty to use same text for at least three years• Commitment from faculty to forego bundled texts (text, workbook, CD)• Contract with Barnes & Noble College Bookstores (expires June 2011)• Loss of revenue from contract with Barnes & Noble College Bookstores (approx. $320,000annually)The IBHE <strong>Report</strong> lists several alternative cost-saving measures. Some of the alternatives are problematic.They may require an institution to take action for which it has no authority and/or may invade ofacademic freedom. Such alternatives include:• Require faculty and staff members to consider the most cost-effective practices in textbookdecision making.• Prohibit community college and public university faculty, staff, an academic department frombenefiting financially from selection of required textbooks.• Require publishers to provide faculty members with the price of course materials sold at thebookstore and the revision history of course materials.In conclusion, the IBHE <strong>Report</strong> on textbook rentals is comprehensive. However, it fails to adequatelyaddress the obstacles to implementing a textbook rental program at a large, research university. Of the 25colleges and universities nationwide with textbook rental programs none of the institutions are research-108-
universities and the largest university has an enrollment of 15,000 students. Additionally, 71% of theinstitutions with textbook rental programs have had the programs in place since the institution’s founding.Besides the exorbitant start-up costs ($16 million), there are significant pedagogy issues for a Universitywho takes pride in offering small class sizes and a diversity of courses in meeting graduationrequirements. Ultimately, a textbook rental program at Illinois State University would provide minimalcost savings to students – approximately the cost of two concert tickets, dinner, and gas for the trip to theconcert.-109-
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A Report on the Fe
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................
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Estimated Textbook Rental Cost Per
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYGrowing apprehensi
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• Faculty members, administrators
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ConclusionTextbook rental programs
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INTRODUCTIONAcross the nation, the
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increase in tuition and fees (7 per
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Source: Government Accountability O
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The IBHE’s 2006 survey found that
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ookstores, 17 percent to friends/re
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1. provide the option of purchasing
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Student fees are collected:• as p
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CURRENT ILLINOIS TEXTBOOK RENTAL PR
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MethodologyCOSTS AND FEASIBILITY OF
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Submitted cost data are presented b
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PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES - TEXTBOOK RENT
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Under a textbook rental program, ea
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FundingSR 692 directs the IBHE and
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have a separate series so that if a
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Impact on Tax Revenue.Property Tax.
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Textbook Selection. While acknowled
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According to the Student Monitor, i
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of the exact custom book. This alte
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Current Status of Voluntary Faculty
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APPENDICES-51-
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09400SR0692 Enrolled - 2 - LRB094 2
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APPENDIX BTextbook Study Timeline -
Page 57 and 58: Funding:1. Please provide an itemiz
Page 59 and 60: Textbook Survey - Third Party Books
Page 61 and 62: Estimated Annual Cost - Community C
Page 63 and 64: Estimated Annual Costs - Public Uni
Page 65 and 66: Estimated Textbook Rental Cost Per
Page 67 and 68: Kentucky. House Resolution 9 would
Page 69 and 70: Washington. House Bill 3034 would p
Page 71 and 72: materials to bookstores at wholesal
Page 73 and 74: ook wholesalers, stands this issue
Page 75 and 76: items sold in a package and 2) facu
Page 77 and 78: different printed text, an e-book o
Page 79 and 80: • Page 20, #5 - Education of stud
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Page 103 and 104: Attn: Nicole Krneta Rogers-103-
Page 105 and 106: Spring 2007: ISBN 0-618-75386-9 Rai
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Page 111 and 112: separately and be stuck with any co
Page 113 and 114: From: Wilcockson, Mark [mailto:M-Wi
Page 115 and 116: supports informed decision making.
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Page 119 and 120: From: Brad O'Brien [mailto:bobrien@
Page 121 and 122: more used books benefits both the b
Page 123 and 124: From: Devi Prasad V.Potluri [mailto
Page 125 and 126: Comments submitted on IBHE website:
Page 127 and 128: REFERENCE LISTAssociation of Americ
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A Report on the Feasibility of Textbook Rental - IBHE

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