Students, faculty and staff agree the prices of textbooks have gotten out of hand, but many are findings ways to alleviate the cost while better serving education. Angelle Caillouet, manager of the campus bookstore, said she saw the average textbook price increase from $25 to $125 per book in the 28 years she has been working at the bookstore. “People used to scream and yell about the prices, even back then,” Caillouet said. “Publishers set the price.”
The bookstore’s only option in the sale of books is to acquire and sell used copies, which Caillouet calls the bookstore’s ultimate goal. The bookstore sells used books for 75 percent of their new value and buys books back from students at up to 50 percent the price they paid, both in compliance with national standards. Caillouet said the bookstore tries to buy as many books as possible from students, wholesalers and other schools.
“The bookstore doesn’t make much,” Caillouet said. The store makes an average profit of 20 percent per book, according to Caillouet. “We’re here to help each and every student succeed, and we work hard to get them the best deals.”
A concern of students is the frequent publishing of newer textbook editions; a practice Caillouet feels is the attempt of publishers to counteract the sale of used books.
Michelle Guidry, instructor of accounting, said she agrees editions are changed too frequently. Guidry said another concern is that students often buy a textbook for a class where the teacher may not require it. “If I require students to use a book, we’ll use it on a regular basis.”
Guidry said it is unfortunate textbook prices have gotten out of hand, but students think teachers have more control over the situation than they do. “We have very little control over it,” Guidry said. “I’d like to see publishers come with more economic solutions like online books.”
Rick Duet, associate professor of mass communication, has been using online materials exclusively in several of his classes for two years. Duet requires students to subscribe to Lynda.com, which grants them access to numerous informational videos.
“Students seem to prefer it,” Duet said. “Once they get into the tutorials, they see it’s easy, clear and fun. You’re more likely to re-watch a video than re-read a chapter.”
The subscription fee for Lynda.com varies based on the number of students and the length of the subscription, but the cost is significantly lower than majority of textbooks. Duet said the fee for one of his classes this semester was $37.
Students have found their own ways to avoid paying full price for textbooks. “I always rent books,” Bree Becnel, paralegal studies sophomore from Napoleonville, said. “Buying books is two to three times the price of renting.”
Amanda McCarter, sociology senior from Norco, said she buys all her books online from Half.com. “Don’t waste your time waiting in line,” she said.
Whitney Vanderson, accounting senior from Patterson, said she buys all the books required for her major classes. “I spent $1,017 on six books this semester,” Vanderson said.
