As the state of Mississippi faces one of the biggest budget shortfalls in recent years, the eight publicly-funded universities are looking for ways to be cost-efficient.
Some state-funded universities are quietly pushing the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning College Board for a slight tuition increase and even the elimination of academic programs to help offset budget cuts – which, of course, places a larger burden on the students. Yet, through such administrative talks, there is growing support for an innovative solution considered impossible in years past: Allow students to rent, rather than purchase, their textbooks each semester.
I recently sat down with MSU Student Association President Blake Jeter to discuss the idea of a textbook rental system being instituted at Mississippi State and how innovative such an idea is to the state of Mississippi.
“Actually, the idea really isn’t so innovative at all,” Jeter said. “In 2007, the Textbook Task Force [a subcommittee under the IHL College Board] examined the issue and came up with 40 recommendations. The idea of textbook rentals encompassed a few of those recommendations.”
Jeter happens to know a thing or two about the textbook rental system. Shortly after being elected SA president in the spring, he went to work recommending a thorough review of 2007’s Textbook Task Force report and has been instrumental in pushing the idea to his fellow SA colleagues as well as administrative officials across the state’s eight public universities. Though very enthusiastic on the issue, Jeter explains one caveat he believes stops the progress of the idea from taking root at campuses across Mississippi – it’s risky.
“Universities [and its bookstores] are not willing to risk investing in a pilot rental program that may not be successful especially when facing a streamline of budget cuts,” he said.
Jeter’s analysis is harshly correct on this matter. In fact, initial reports from the IHL’s fiscal year 2010-2012 budget shows a reduction in state-appropriated funding by 10 percent. Further data reports show MSU alone can expect to see its budget for next year reduced by at least $36 million. This means universities have little to no wiggle room for taking chance – especially our university.
Yet, no one can deny the financial burden placed on students can be greatly reduced by cutting the cost of textbooks. Research from 2003’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index report shows textbook prices increased at four times the inflation rate of all finished goods.
Additionally, 2005 data from the U.S. Government Accountability Office shows university students pay $800-$900 per year for textbooks, providing valid evidence of how textbooks continue to place increased financial burden on students. It’s easy to conclude universities inadvertently risk narrowing student access to higher education as a result of rising textbook costs along with further increases in tuition and fees. Consequently, it is justifiable for Mississippi’s eight public universities to consider the creation of a textbook rental system across their respective campuses.
The National Association of College Stores (NACS) reports there are approximately 20 colleges and universities offering textbook rental services to its students. These colleges and universities run their textbook rental services either through existing campus bookstores or through exclusive contracts with private textbook companies. This system is funded through campus-based fees, course-based fees or per-book rental charges.
For example, the University of Wisconsin institutes a textbook rental system that charges a full-time regular undergraduate student $66.60 for the fall 2009 semester to rent approximately $300+ worth of textbooks. This fee is automatically included in tuition, making it easier for students to pay consolidated costs.
In addition, the University of Wisconsin makes it easy for the bookstore to maintain its textbook rental inventory by linking its data to the student accounts database, charging significant fees for late and unreturned textbooks.
Typically, the colleges and universities which institute a textbook rental system maintain the same textbook edition in its rental system for any number of semesters – generally three years for lower-level classes and two to three years for upper-level classes. Most instructors at each respective university which have a textbook rental system in place are encouraged to participate freely by committing to keep the same textbook for a number of semesters. Others require an instructor to utilize a textbook in the classroom for a period of semesters, while giving exception to update books only if the material taught changes. These steps help keep costs low for both those administrating the textbook rental service and the students.
There are significant benefits to having a textbook rental system instituted at Mississippi’s public universities. The most significant benefit would be costs to both the students and administration. Students could save money from renting textbooks rather than paying an average of $800-$900 for a full 12-18 hours course load.
In addition, the bookstores at each respective university could see an added boost of revenue from student rentals as many students now opt to rent or purchase their textbooks online via new and used book dealers. Furthermore, a textbook rental system could be easier and less costly to maintain for bookstores than a purchase-only textbook system since there are no costly unused textbook returns to publishers.
As aforementioned, there are risks associated with initiating a textbook rental system. Significant investment in the initial inventory of textbooks must be taken into account by those in charge of running the textbook rental system and could cost millions of dollars. A number of colleges and universities which have a rental system established, for example, implemented a per-student charge for textbook use while borrowing money from other institutional funds and utilizing the existing textbooks from its campus bookstore to create their rental programs. Each respective college and university partaking in a textbook rental system ultimately risks being held accountable by administration officials should the rental system fail.
Although one cannot deny establishing a textbook rental system has its risks, one must also admit such risks are surmountable. Furthermore, reducing the costs of textbooks through a textbook rental system could make future tuition increases – which a number of administration officials for the state of Mississippi are proposing for next year – easier for students to accept.
Whether we know it or not, Mississippi and our eight state universities have great obstacles ahead as we continue to see a statewide budget decrease. So, it is necessary for Mississippi State University, as well as the other seven public universities, to consider ways to cut costs while maintaining access to education for students.
I believe the best way to do this is by establishing a more open consensus between students, faculty and administrators on how to devise innovative, cost-cutting solutions, both short-term and long-term. Moreover, it is time for us collaborate on ways to reduce unnecessary spending while helping shoulder the burden for our education. One positive step in this direction is through the implementation of a textbook rental system at each publicly-funded university
As administrative officials at the state’s College Board are currently considering such an option, all public universities must make their voice heard. For this reason, I’m encouraging the student leaders at each state university in Mississippi to support a push for a rental textbook system. After all, it’s our education.