UWF is starting a rental program in the fall term (probably the same contract private bookstore franchise). It has some limitations. Not all textbooks are available for rental, so an instructor who wants to make rental an option for his or her students must determine first if there is a suitable text on the rental list. (I haven't searched for books in my area yet, so I know know what this situation is.)
I've always known students who were savvy enough to check the university library and check out the required book if it was available there (the first rentals -- and they are free!). Of course, only one student can benefit from this rental program. The rental program is more equitable in that it is available to all students. And it doesn't have the limited-time-access problem that happens when materials are put on a 2-hr course reserve check-out. I don't see this as promoting a consumer attitude in students. The reality is that students are broke, economic times are hard, and two textbooks today can cost more than I had to spend for all of my course materials for an entire term. Many students can't buy texts until after their financial aid is disbursed, sometimes 2 or 3 weeks into a term. I'm willing to get readings into the hands of my students as early in the term as possible. Textbook rentals help solve that problem for a significant number of students. Now, if the "available for rental" list can be made very broad . . . Claudia J. Stanny, Ph.D. Director, Center for University Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Associate Professor, Psychology University of West Florida 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL 32514 – 5751 Phone: (850) 857-6355 or 473-7435 [email protected] CUTLA Web Site: http://uwf.edu/cutla/ Personal Web Pages: http://uwf.edu/cstanny/website/index.htm On Thu, Jul 22, 2010 at 12:08 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Today I was somewhat surprised when a NY City metro area university that > I shall not identify here announced that their campus' bookstores, which are > operated by a private entity, are going to start offering textbook rental > services starting this Fall. Presumaby, the rentals will result in "upwards > of 50 percent off new textbook prices". In addition -and I thought this was > interesting- the program allows students to highlight the textbooks and take > notes throughout the text. And just like a leased car, the student > can also buy the textbook at the end of the term. > > > > I said that I was somewhat surprised because although I am one of those who > feels that textbooks have become overpriced, and because I recognize > that some students who buy their textbooks (a few others seem not to even > bother purchasing them) end up getting rid of their books at the first > opportunity, I feel this rental program undermines the real purpose of a > college education. At the same time I think that textbook > renting perpetuates a business/consumer approach to learning. This sort of > thing just does not feel right to me. > > > > Out mere curiosity, do any of you know of institutions which have a similar > textbook rental program? > > > > Miguel > > --- > > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13144.1572ed60024e708cf21c4c6f19e7d550&n=T&l=tips&o=3733 > > (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) > > or send a blank email to > leave-3733-13144.1572ed60024e708cf21c4c6f19e7d...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=3734 or send a blank email to leave-3734-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
