Custom publishing is the "new" idea (by new I mean it's been around for years, but the use of it by departments has picked up steam).  Some departments have publishers take a text and custom publish it.  This means they pick and choose the chapters they want, but can add in additional materials unique to the department, including syllabi, work sheets, and the like.  I know one department that even has the university name put on the outside cover of the text.  Why do this?  One reason is that the department gets revenue from doing this.  It helps supplement departmental budgets.  Sadly, the student finds it difficult to sell the book back because the work sheets or syllabi or whatever are gone.  The next semester's students have to buy a "new custom published" text, again generating revenue for the department.  But this isn't unique to USM--it's a national situation. 

I wouldn't say they're sacrificing academic integrity, since they're using a book that could be used without custom publishing.  it's using the book as a revenue generating source.  in some cases, the argument is that they're putting together readings that don't exist elsewhere.  it's the generation of revenue that bothers me and, i might add, others.  i hate the cost of textbooks but i refuse to use textbooks to generate revenue for my department.

I don't know, but I doubt it.  Typically these books are used in large multi-section courses, so multiple people may be involved in the textbook choice and it's hard to "track" the money.  It goes into department budgets to enhance travel, commodities, or the like, I assume.

The book company representatives do push this option.  In most cases, about 15% will be added to the base cost of the book and returned to the department.  They only ask that "some" content be unique (can be a page of quiz questions, the course syllabus, etc.)  Most custom texts are about $100, so think what this means for a department teaching a required core course, like the math course required of all students.  1800 or 2000 books per year will result in a significant amount.

That extra $15 or so for each student is close to the tuition increases we have had the last few years, and it doesn't require any approval. 

Can anyone name a department at USM that gets a "kick-back" from the publisher?

If there is a preferred term other than "kick-back," let me know.

Also, I'm curious if a law were passed or some other measures put in place to control what or how books are chosen, is that seen by the faculty as an attack on academic freedom? How do you all feel about movements to make all texts free and accessible by Internet? (Legally, of course.)

Thanks.

Another question about "commissions" I have is whether or not anyone has ethical problems with it.

Is there interest in pursuing free or inexpensive alternatives? I know several who support the concept.

Also, I had an e-mail from someone who thought I was backing down from examining the outsourcing of the bookstore. What do you all think the store's role is in high book prices? They claim they have no control.

Edited to add: And please, which departments get a commission?

-- Edited by Valerie Wells at 17:25, 2008-08-04

I think we're missing the elephant in the room here. Not too long ago, the publishing companies started gobbling each other up, and soon we were left with a very small number of companies serving a given field. Somewhat deceptively, in my opinion, they kept the names of the respected old companies they bought out (they euphemistically call them "imprints" now) in order to maintain the illusion that there were still lots of publishers out there. It would not be difficult to chart the radical increase in price of existing texts that accompanied this monopolization of the industry. A textbook I wrote many years ago, which still bears the original "imprint", has been through a half-dozen major publishers and has increased in price six-fold in just the last 8-10 years. I believe the angle Wells needs to pursue here is monopoly and the inevitable concomitant price fixing. There are lots of fingers in the pie, but I have first-hand evidence that the overwhelming majority of the exorbitant price increases can be traced to the preceding. Given the gobs of money to be made here, and given the decreasing costs of production of many products, I'm fairly amazed that some collective of professors has not already started a competing company to seriously undercut the big guys and put more money where it belongs--in the authors' pockets. I have begged the publisher to sell me the rights to my own book--I know for certain that I can produce and market it, sell it at half the current price, and still pocket enough to make a significant impact on my financial situation. Alas, they know a golden goose when they see one. And the students are being robbed--it costs the company less to produce this book today than when it was first published many years ago.

Has there been thought about using e-books or electronic journals instead of textbooks as required readings?

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080810/NEWS01/808100310&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Curmudgeon wrote:

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Well done, Ms. Wells. It's pretty obvious how out sourcing the bookstore worked out for students.

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Did you read the article?  Its obvious that the bookstore has NOTHING to do with the high cost of textbooks.  Their margin is the same it was 20 years ago.  They only place the text that has been adopted by the instructor or department.  They even have a price match guarantee - we didn't have that 5 years ago . . . . .

Check out some of the comments that have been posted following the online version of the story. Evidently we at USM advise students to take courses that will not help them graduate so that we can boost enrollment numbers. I didn't realize I had been doing that. I should pay attention more when advising students.

Anonymous wrote:

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Valerie Wells wrote:

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To be fair, it was the bookstore and the administrators who made that claim. I didn't find anything to either back it up or disclaim it.

This part wasn't in my story, but it is generally easier for students to sell books back online than through the campus bookstore.

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If you do some searching on this forum you'll find the contract language was posted back in January or February.  Also, the contract is public information - why not just get it and verify?

Its hard for me to imagine something easier than walking to the bookstore while on campus and being guaranteed a buy-back opposed to posting it, selling it, packaging it, and mailing it. 

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11.        Used Book Purchase and Resale:

 

Barnes and Noble shall buy books from University of Southern Mississippi faculty, staff and students at the following prices:

 

a)      When the Bookstore has been notified that the book will be used at University of Southern Mississippi the following semester: 50% of the selling price (provided the book is a good used copy) until the Bookstore has filled its quota.

 

b)      In the absence of such notification, or if the book will not be used for the following semester, or is to be replaced shortly by a revised edition according to an announcement of the publisher at the wholesale price.

 

c)      Used books in good condition will be sold by Barnes & Noble at 25% less than the new selling price.
17.    Sales Markup Basis:

 

Barnes & Noble represents that the sale markup basis at the Bookstore will be as follows:

 

a)      New textbooks will be sold at no greater than (i) the publishers list price or (ii) a 25% gross margin on net priced books, inclusive of restocking fees, return penalties and freight surcharges.  Net priced books are defined as books purchased from publishers that do not have a publisher's suggested list price or when the publisher's discount to the bookstore is less than 20%.

 

b)      Used textbooks will be sold at 25% less than the new selling price.

 

c)      Course packs and textbooks purchased from publishers with restrictive ornon-returnable text policies will be priced at up to a 30% gross margin.

 

d)      School supplies will be priced at or below manufacturers suggested retail prices.

 

Barnes & Noble shall, upon request, provide proof of conformity to pricing policies as specified herein.

Valerie Wells wrote:

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My question is what was it before? Barnes and Nobles folks are saying it was the same before.

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Those "B&N folks" are the same "USM folks" since B&N kept everyone.  If Kathy Hayman doesn't know then no one knows.

I notice that an editorial this morning reverts to the word "kickback."

Also, when did it become Bill Powell's job to keep track of everyone's textbook requirements?

I rather mind the editorial trying to blame faculty; the last thing this community and USM need is more anti-faculty rhetoric.

-- Edited by LVN at 09:39, 2008-08-12