Refunding students nearly $148,000 more than this past spring’s textbook buyback period is the goal for Student Government – and an attainable one, SG President Colorado Robertson said. But it all boils down to teachers turning in their book orders before finals begin – a task several professors have not completed, according to LSU Bookstore figures. The bookstore calculated a 57 percent adoption rate Tuesday, but Robertson and the SG Academics Department are pushing to amp up that figure to 75 percent by next Wednesday and exceed it by the end of next week. If they succeed, the total projected refunds students can expect this spring is $558,000. Increasing the adoption rate means urging teachers to turn in their book orders for the summer and fall semesters before students gamble with trading books for cash. “Professors who don’t turn in their textbook lists for next semester are preventing students from getting higher buyback rates for their textbooks,” said Bryce Addison, SG Director of Academics. The economics sophomore said if the LSU Bookstore does not have confirmation that a teacher plans to re-use a textbook, then economically, they have no reason to return the book. The SG campaign mainly targets professors who intend to re-use textbooks but have not yet turned in their orders. Addison said several professors he contacted told him they do not realize the importance of turning in orders early, much less how doing so could give students some extra pocket cash. The English Department teaches more students than any other University department. But nobody is hounding faculty to turn in textbook orders, said Anna Nardo, English Department chair. “We may get a reminder or two, but it is completely voluntarily,” Nardo said. But in February, the University informed professors which courses they will teach the following semester, giving professors at least two months to turn in their book orders before May. Nardo said 98 percent of English Department faculty probably don’t know they can save students money by turning in their book orders before next week. And Addison and Robertson have been encouraging more teachers to wake up and smell the coffee – literally – before it’s too late. The LSU Bookstore supported Robertson’s initiative and hosted “check your text” this past week where they offered free cookies and coffee to professors willing to fill out their book orders. The store received more than 100 book orders from teachers who saw the signs, said Paul Stevenson, LSU Bookstore manager. “We thought if we made a collective effort between the bookstore and Student Government, then we could get more money back in the students’ pockets,” Stevenson said. “But Colorado’s initiative really helped set this off. He has been very aggressive, and he has the students’ best interest at heart, no doubt.” Stevenson said while many professors are doing a good job of turning in orders on time, the store is hoping to bring it to the next level with Robertson’s initiative. “We are currently seeking out all resources available to us that will allow us to put as much money as possible back into the students’ hands,” Robertson said. It’s not too late for teachers to turn in their book orders, and Addison said he understands it’s a time issue, which is why the SG executive and legislative branches have teamed up to walk to professor offices and raise awareness. With the semester winding down, Addison said he does not think there’s a more important issue than giving students extra cash to celebrate the end of finals or for their summer vacations.
—-Contact Natalie Messina at [email protected]