The LSU Bookstore requires professors to send in informationabout which books they will use for the spring semester by Oct. 15.With the deadline approaching, Student Government and the bookstorewant students to get involved with this issue.
SG Vice-President Jenny Byrd said they want students to getinvolved by asking their teachers if they have submitted theirtextbook information.
Renee Gravois, SG co-director of academic affairs, said this issomething the SG has been involved with for several years, but lastyear’s administration was the first to begin a major push forstudents to become involved. She said she hopes all bookstores willbenefit from receiving textbook selections early, but especiallythe LSU Bookstore because it is convenient for students.
Joe Bender, general manager of the LSU Bookstore, saidprofessors can submit their textbook selections for the springsemester in many ways including e-mail, fax or hand-writtennotes.
Bender said many times information is sent in from either anentire department or individual professors.
However, Bender said sometimes the bookstore does not receiveany information from certain departments or professors. He said ifthis occurs, the bookstore will attempt to contact those specificdepartments to get their textbook information. Sometimesdepartments still may not send in their information by thebeginning of a semester. Bender said in this case the bookstorewill leave the shelf space for those courses empty and will post anotice stating no information about their textbook needs werereceived.
Bender said by submitting textbook information on time,professors aid both the bookstore and students.
If the textbook information is received on time, it will resultin lower book costs for students, Gravois said.
Bender said once they receive information about which books willbe used again next semester, they can plan for the bookbuyback.
Book buyback occurs at the end of every semester. This processis made easier for students because the bookstore sets upadditional locations around campus in trailers and under tents tobuy books back from students. Bender said the LSU bookstorepurchases books from students and then sells the used books for 25percent less than new books.
Bender said by purchasing used books from students, thebookstore saves money because they will have to purchase fewerbooks from publishing companies and are able to save money onshipping and invoice costs.
Students also save money when other students sell back theirbooks. This is because the bookstore can offer a larger number ofused books which are sold at a lower price than new books.
Bender said by professors turning in their book selections ontime, it is a “win-win for us and a win-win for you.”
The deadline for book selection for the spring semester isFriday and is March 15 for the summer and fall semesters.