Pace Press

Issue date: 2/9/05 Section: Opinion

The Pace Press prints a story about the bookstore almost every semester. And, this semester is no different. This semester, however, rather than providing students with advice on where to find their required texts if they do not have the funds to purchase them at 41 Park Row, The Press has the responsibility of informing the student body that it is likely that some of them cannot buy their books locally, even if they wanted to - for the moment, anyway.

It is unfortunate that a resource like the Pace bookstore has decided to order less books, or in some cases no books, because it believes students will not buy them or because it claims professors did not submit requests on time. A service that should be absolutely focused on providing students with what they need to learn has been stunted by its administration, which is something that many students at this school believe happens too frequently.

With books for many classes selling out and not being replaced quickly enough and with professors arguing that they had in fact submitted requests on time, it is clear that the bookstore is not fulfilling its obligations to students. And, despite management's ability to conjure a number of excuses, students are still without the books they need, which subsequently forces professors to reconfigure course syllabi.

It is costing those affected more than a minor hassle or the cost of finding books elsewhere. Dr. William Quinlan, an adjunct professor of psychology who teaches in the evenings, has contemplated canceling a class session in order to allow students to catch up on their work, since they were without the required text these last few weeks. This example proves how the bookstore's fumble has begun costing students their education and any tuition money spent on class sessions that must be re-planned or canceled all together. Of course, The Press is not recommending that students ban together and file a class action suit, but simply asking that the administration look into revamping the textbook outlet entirely.

Partnered with Barnes & Noble College Books-tores Inc., Pace's bookstore is burdened by the corporate giant's policies. Because of this partnership, the bookstore is unable to provide an independent website that could be used to sell texts to students and must also comply with Barnes & Noble's buy-back and used-book programs in addition to a number of other headache-inducing protocols. It is lazy of the University to not attempt to develop an independent bookstore that is better able to tailor all services to its students. One couldn't expect an independent Pace seller to be created over night, and it certainly would be a rigorous process, but this is the most logical step if Pace does not wish to see all of the bookstore's business diverted to other outlets, as students are now being given no other option than to buy their books elsewhere and professors are beginning to order books at other suppliers throughout the city.

It would have been clearer to the administration that the Pace bookstore cannot adequately meet students' demands and respond to customer complaints in a proactive manner had students been given more of a voice in matters concerning the store. At this point, The Press hopes it is blatantly obvious to the University that the bookstore in its current state is unacceptable. Although no one can really blame students for seeking alternative outlets for learning tools such as books, it should never be their only option.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools