Report slams cost of college texts

SF Chron ^ | 01/30/04 | Charles Burress

[socal_parrot]

College students already burdened by swelling tuition are being squeezed even more by textbook publishers who charge high prices for unnecessary new editions, according to a survey of professors released Thursday.

Seventy-six percent of faculty surveyed said new editions of textbooks, often costing more than $100, are justified only half the time or less, according to the report by the student-led California Public Interest Research Group, known as CalPIRG.

[socal_parrot]

I know it's their product to control and all, but the Publishers should come clean on the number one motive for edition revisions...Publishers and authors make no money on the sale of a used book. The longer a book is in circulation, the more used books become available.

[CSM]

"unnecessary new editions, according to a survey of professors"

Yeah, most professors are required to publish to make tenure. They then require their text be used in the class, then they require every new edition every year. Good survey, ask the people causing the problem what the problem is.

Add to that the fact that professors require books for a class then never discuss the books. They just want to drive the sales up. I wonder how many professors are requiring Hillary's book for classes.

[camle]

they forgot the newest wrinkle: you can no longer buy used books for some classes. they use on-line materials from the publisher that are only accessed after inputting a special unique code. you either gotsta buy the book, or justify buying just the code. they getcha either way.

I know college kids are gong to be upper income someday, but when in college most are dirt poor and can ill afford the high price of books. I bought used all I could, and even that was expeensive.

[blue_nova]

Many colleges require 1 or 2 copies of texts books to be on reserve in the college library. I got out of purchasing and hauling many books this way. It also forced me to take good notes and be very strict about my study time.

[RLK]

Try to weite and publish a book. See what it costs and what the market it. Then get back to be with your complaints.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Colleges are just a rip-off to students,a boon to the publishers of lies and a windfall to unqualified persons otherwise known as professors.

[cyborg]

After two semesters, I learned to ask the professor whether they've put a copy on reserve or be honest and tell me if they use the book. Most are honest about textbooks, but I've run into some tenured a$$holes who forgot they were undergraduates once.

[mrsmith]

A related old thread: Why do books cost so much?

[socal_parrot]

Try to weite and publish a book.

I would imagine spell check helps.

As I said, it's their product they can do with it what they want, but to say that the main reason they revise textbooks is to update information is disingenuous.

[LTCJ]

you can no longer buy used books for some classes.

Yep. First ones up against the wall when the revolution comes.

[DeweyCA]

During my first couple years in grad school, I foolishly bought the books. Then I realized that I probvably wouldn't use most of them again. My last, I didn't buy even one book. I read everything that was on reserve. Checked out some from the library, and borrowed books from classmates for a week. I saved a bundle, and I don't have unnecessary books cluttering my home.

[bagman]

Back when I took Thermodynamics (in the days before there was a 2nd Law), we used Sears's venerable text. My copy cost $8.80 used at the campus bookstore. It had at one time been purchased at the US Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey) for $0.70.

Even used books are a rip-off!

[radiohead]

Checked out some from the library, and borrowed books from classmates for a week.

The other option is to check for used books on Amazon or some similar service. I've found plenty of what I've needed for $10 or less.

I think it may be a little different in grad school, where a lot of what you read are scholarly books and not textbooks, but it is a way to get around the high cost.

I remember where one prof assigned a coursepak (basically, a photocopied book of articles, etc.) that was $100!!!! I understand you're paying for the royalties, but call me old fashioned, photocopy is photocopy. I ended up using the coursepak on reserve.

[Larry Lucido]

My old health texts are just fine. I understand leeches and bloodletting are becoming acceptable practices again.

[socal_parrot]

The 3rd edition of Sears Thermodynamics is now priced at $85.00. It was published in 1975 and is still a current edition. I would imagine the price has risen quit a bit in 29 years. The used price of a book is based on the current new price (usually 75% of new). The book you bought used for $8.80 was probably bought at half the new price from a student at buyback or a wholealer and then marked up to the new price.

[socal_parrot]

Lewis and Clark used laxatives a lot to treat the men on their trip. Always a crowd pleaser.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Students have been stiffed on text books since my days in college in the 1960s...

[Myrddin]

My son called my wife last week with a request for help with the cost of the text books this semester. Like the young lady in the article, his calculus text was priced at $122. I was socked for $85 for a similar text in 1974.

Most current titles in computer science at priced in the $19.95 to $59.95 range. I compare Amazon and Barnes & Noble for the best bottom line. San Diego Technical Books has a huge inventory of a broad range of technical titles. The Barnes & Noble and Borders computer science sections look paltry in comparison.

[Richard Kimball]

bump for later

[Alberta's Child]

Back in engineering school I used to come across foreign students photo-copying entire textbooks in the library every now and then. I'm never one to advocate copyright violations, but there is a very relevant principle of economics at work here. Publishers used to face this problem all the time with books, and they eventually overcame it by reducing prices to the point where nobody in their right mind would spend several hours copying a book that they could buy at Barnes & Noble for $19.95.