AUSA Senate is currently exploring a new program which would have marketing classes working with local businesses to establish sponsorships which would be used to offset the cost of textbooks for students.
Though the program is still in the early planning stages for DU, it has been successful at other universities such as Western Kentucky University, which is similar to DU in size.
According to AUSA Senator Javier Ogaz, who will lead the implementation of the program, it could still take a number of different directions.
“As it stands right now, I am working on how to adapt this type of program for DU,” said Ogaz.
At Western Kentucky, the program, known as the Textbook Subsidy program, allows businesses to donate money to certain departments for the textbooks.
Flyers are put into subsidized books telling students how much money they saved as a result of that business’ donation.
As the program became more successful there, Western Kentucky’s student government began to reach out to alumni, parents, professors and even students for donations.
“I’m looking to see if there would be a better way to do this [at DU],” Ogaz said, since the program would need to be adapted to fit the needs of the DU bookstore and student body.
The project is currently in the early stages, and Ogaz, with the help of on-campus senator Melissa Aiken, will be working on adapting and implementing it for the remainder of the year.
They hope to have the program up and running at the start of the next academic year, according to Ogaz.
“The goal would be to have some [textbook subsidy] program implemented by the end of the year to begin at the begining of next year to help alleviate the cost of textbooks,” Ogaz said. “Whether that will be through sponsorships or maybe something working with publishers, we’re not sure yet.”
“Obviously, something like this won’t have a huge impact right away, but as this system starts to develop it is our goal that the program works for all majors,” he said.
Annette Nelson, textbook manager at the DU Bookstore, said that she would be in full support of this program.
“We would definitely support the program on our side,” said Nelson.
“We’ll do whatever we can to support this.”
Students were enthusiastic about the idea of a textbook subsidy program as well.
“I think this would be a great idea because I spend way too much money on textbooks,” said Kirstin Santa, a sophomore.
“That’s an excellent program. My experience in the past has been that textbooks are way overpriced,” sophomore Greg Guice said.
