A Report on the Feasibility of Textbook Rental - IBHE

Comments submitted on IBHE website:Textbook Rental Programs• I have read the draft of "A <strong>Report</strong> on the Feasibility of Textbook Rental Programs and Other Textbook Cost-Saving Alternative in Illinois Higher Education" and I offer the following comments:1. Faculty in programs which are subject to specialized accreditation may frequently choose the latest edition oftextbooks because of the need to adhere to accreditation criteria requiring "state-of-the art" or "current" curriculaand textbooks.2. No evidence is presented in the report of the effect of legislation regarding textbook rental programs or othertextbook cost-saving alternatives. Has there been an increase or decrease in costs when legislation has beenenacted?3. Likewise, there is no evidence presented in the report of the educational outcomes of either textbook rentalprograms or the current systems of textbook purchase. Logic might lead one to assume that using the latest editionof textbooks leads to better educational outcomes. While cost may be an important factor, the impact on learning ofpurchase or rental programs should also be an important part of the decision.4. Lengthening the time period in which faculty may adopt new editions of textbooks may have an effect on theopportunities faculty have to publish textbooks. Limiting opportunities for faculty to publish can have unintendedeffects on faculty scholarship, promotion, and tenure.I would be happy to discuss these points in more detail or if my points are not clear. I appreciate the opportunity tocomment.Rebecca K. Wojcik, PT, MHPE, GCSAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Physical TherapyGovernors State UniversityUniversity Park, IL 60466708/235-2231r-wojcik@govst.edu• I laud the investigation of any way to reduce the cost of a college education. The proposal of a textbook rentalprogram should give all students the opportunity to access the texts necessary for success in their coursework.While you are investigating the feasibility of textbook rental, I hope you will consider a provision for students toapply the rental fee to purchase should the student so choose. In upper division and graduate courses the texts arechosen for their relevancy to the course of study and as foundational pieces to the building of a personalprofessional library for future course work and professional practice. There is continual pressure for teachers,health and human service practitioners, lawyers, etc. to provide evidence to support their practice decisions. Preserviceprofessionals must learn from their professors the importance of this library of texts and the references inthese texts to support their practice.Catherine P. Brady, Ed.D, OTR/LMaster of Occupational Therapy ProgramGovernors State University• -Getting sales tax eliminated on textbooks would reduce costs by $25-50 a semester in Chicago.-Coursepacks and CD-Rom E-books would be more usefull and interactive.-Brian MatosSGA PresidentColumbia College Chicago• 1) There will be a problem if the state mandates that faculty select the most cost-effective texts---interferes with-125-