Staff Editorial | Book lists should be available on-line

As it stands now, to find out what books are needed for a class, one must either go into the campus bookstore or e-mail professors to request a list. Although students can contact professors individually, students often consider changing their class schedules over the summer and would like to peruse book lists before committing to a class. Students could receive this information easily if the College posted the book list well before classes started. Better yet, the list could posted be on-line, where it could be accessed from anywhere in the world.

The on-line posting of book lists would make it easier for students to find out what books they need. Moreover, it would save students money. Posting the book list online would greatly benefit those who spend hundreds of dollars on textbooks every semester, like science students whose textbooks cost upwards of $100.

This is not to say the College bookstore is doing a poor job—books are usually stocked, and the physical bookstore is no doubt useful for students whose professors add books later in the term. The bookstore also gives students the option of conveniently returning books if they drop a class. However, the book list would provide students with more choices. In addition to providing an opportunity for students to save money, an on-line booklist would give students the freedom to purchase their books in a store of their choice.

Some professors and students are uncomfortable with giving their patronage to Barnes and Noble (Barnes and Noble owns the College bookstore). This is evidenced by the professors who order their books through the Three Arts, and by the small number of students who already buy their books online whenever possible. The bottom line is students should have the choice of where to buy their books.

One of our incoming president’s major goals appears to be making the College more affordable for students. If this is true, then why not allow students to purchase their textbooks where they want and for low prices? The simple act of making class book lists accessible would save cash-strapped students, who often must pay for their books out of pocket, hundreds of dollars over the course of their college career.

Staff Editorials represent at least a two-thirds majority of the Editorial Board.