I was in the bookstore, purchasing my set of typically overpriced textbooks, when I heard a racket.
A seemingly adorable brunette girl in a mini skirt and hoodie was unleashing her rage at the cashier near the front of the store. He seemed taken completely by surprise, but she was fuming; there was practically steam coming out of her ears.
Through the masses of students I could barely understand what event was taking place there at the cash register. Did the man behind the counter say something offensive? Was the girl having a panic attack?
As I eased my way closer to the scene I caught sight of the girl. She was motioning toward a large stack of hardcover books to her left side, and shouting about how enraged she was about the prices.
Staring incredulously, my first reaction to the scene was to think that the student was acting not only disrespectfully toward a man who had nothing to do with the prices, but she was also spotlighting herself as a representative of the student body at our university.
Eventually the shouting died down and the bookstore regained its usual composure. Walking home, however, I was struck by a different reaction to the scenario I had previously witnessed: Was that cute brunette girl taking a stand for the student body not only of DU, but for every student around the world?
It does not logically seem appropriate to charge students excessive prices for books they are required to read. These are not even books students would naturally invest in, though they are both obligated and required to put the little money they have into this cause.
After paying such an inordinate tuition year after year, it would seem more appropriate for teachers to supply their required readings in class. If this were the case, perhaps students would have to hassle less with unnecessary text, as teachers would be more mindful about their requirements.
Certain classes demand that students purchase six or seven texts, though only utilize two or three. This is financially wasteful and stressful for students, as we can only sell our books back to the bookstore for a fraction of the price we paid only months earlier.
It is obvious that students are an easy target for financial gain in many situations, including textbook overpricing. We are an easy target because we have no choice but to follow the rules of our institution in order to pass our classes and gain a degree.
Perhaps with the incoming cyber-learning system on programs such a Blackboard we will begin to cut down on textbook requirements. The more teachers post readings on Blackboard for students, the less money they spend and less paper is wasted on books.
Realistically, these books live, for the most part, neglected lives in a student’s desk drawer, only to be returned to the bookstore or eventually lost. This is an issue of respect on both ends. Students deserve more understanding and reasonable access to information-more expensive is not better.
And students, remember that you aggression toward the sales people at the bookstore accomplishes nothing positive. If this problem is to be cured, we must speak with those who actually price the books, not the ones who sell them.
