College students are paying too much for college text books and need to find other affordable means to obtain information.
A recent study by the California Student Public Interest Research Group found that students are spending about $900 a year on textbooks and they only remain on the shelf for about three years before new editions come out. The study maintains that publishers are to blame for these unjustified new editions, according to a recent story by The Associated Press.
Textbook prices within the last five years have risen 64 percent, which is nothing compared to a whopping overall rise in the last two decades. These rates are alarming when compared to the 51 percent increase in consumer goods in general, according to the Consumer Price Index.
The CALPIRG study gives reasons for skyrocketing prices like “bundling of ancillary products like CD-ROMS.” These pricy additional bells and whistles are rarely even touched. Because of these useless items some students may not even purchase textbooks.
There are some other alternatives for students to consider when faced with expensive bookstore prices. Purchasing used books, making internet purchases in the United States or overseas, or borrowing books from someone who took the class are solutions.
Many schools allow for students to sell back their used books at reduced prices. Many times this is far less than what the books cost, but it is better than nothing. The biggest problem with purchasing books outside of college bookstores is its effect. According to publishers, prices are being forced to rise because of money lost when students reintroduce used books into the market, thus raising the likelihood that students will not purchase new books.
These statements only lead us to believe that publishers are only looking out for themselves and their paychecks instead of education as a whole. Why not cut back on new editions and let teachers update their students. By the time new editions come out, they are already about two years old anyway.
Write your state and Congressional representatives and ask for a more extensive review and investigation of the high cost of textbooks. Students should keep fighting the rising textbook prices before publishers price them out of a college education.