5 thoughts on “Problem Memo on The Astronomical Cost of Textbooks in College”
I think that this is a great topic because it hits so close to home with everyone in class. The statistics about textbooks being sold in other countries for less than half of the price here is fascinating and something I had no idea about. That alone showcases that the possibility of lowering the price exists, it is simply not a priority or a concern for book publishers in America.
This is an extremely relevant topic and one that although straight forward doesn’t often get addressed. You hear all the time in the media about college debt and the rising cost of college tuition but you very seldom hear anything about a problem that has only been getting worse for many years. I really appreciate how you took a simple topic and opened up the complexities of the issue. Your use of terminology relates to the reader that this isn’t a small issue but one that is socially and economically concerning. You have a lot of great sources of information to back your argument and the data proves without a doubt that this an overwhelming issue for many students. Although all of the information you collected positively reflects this relationship, I would suggest using less direct quotes and apply your own knowledge and experience. Overall this is a great topic to shed some light on and I look forward to the creative solutions you provide to just one of the many pieces affecting overwhelming college loan debt.
I really like your topic and it is something all of us can relate to. I know that when I have been confronted with an expensive reading list for a class, I think “Do I really need this book? Can I get by in the course without it?” It is extremely unfair that a student may not be able to do the best they can in a course simply because they can’t afford the books. Students with more money shouldn’t be given an unfair advantage. I like your point about books having so many different editions. You can go to the bookstore and try to sell back your book, but they won’t take it because there’s a newer version. Sometimes it seems like there are all these new editions so that publishers can justify charging more for them.
This is an excellent topic, and I agree that it often is not discussed when referring to the high cost of higher education. You make some great points about it being a cost that often isn’t calculated when thinking about tuition costs and ends up being a “surprise” to students and parents alike. Additionally, pointing out that students often have to decide if they should buy a text book and what effect that might have on their grade is a very poignant issue. Another issue to explore is that many professors require their own personal textbooks to be used. While professors may not be making a large profit from these books, they tend to be available from only one source and often have to be purchased at the full value. I would encourage you to also explore if there are any instances where other universities or schools have taken on this issue and how CUNY could implement them. For example, are there any schools who have implemented textbook regulations or limits on how many books a class can require?
I like that you focused on this particular issue, as it is one that, though many students in schools across the United States know about intimately well, often gets overlooked when talking about the broader issue of student debt in our nation. The information presented here certainly helps to highlight the seriousness of the issue, especially the infuriating fact that the same textbooks being used in the US are being sold in France and the United Kingdom for little more than half the price. Information like that calls for action to be taken to lighten the heavy load on the backs of students.
I think that this is a great topic because it hits so close to home with everyone in class. The statistics about textbooks being sold in other countries for less than half of the price here is fascinating and something I had no idea about. That alone showcases that the possibility of lowering the price exists, it is simply not a priority or a concern for book publishers in America.
This is an extremely relevant topic and one that although straight forward doesn’t often get addressed. You hear all the time in the media about college debt and the rising cost of college tuition but you very seldom hear anything about a problem that has only been getting worse for many years. I really appreciate how you took a simple topic and opened up the complexities of the issue. Your use of terminology relates to the reader that this isn’t a small issue but one that is socially and economically concerning. You have a lot of great sources of information to back your argument and the data proves without a doubt that this an overwhelming issue for many students. Although all of the information you collected positively reflects this relationship, I would suggest using less direct quotes and apply your own knowledge and experience. Overall this is a great topic to shed some light on and I look forward to the creative solutions you provide to just one of the many pieces affecting overwhelming college loan debt.
I really like your topic and it is something all of us can relate to. I know that when I have been confronted with an expensive reading list for a class, I think “Do I really need this book? Can I get by in the course without it?” It is extremely unfair that a student may not be able to do the best they can in a course simply because they can’t afford the books. Students with more money shouldn’t be given an unfair advantage. I like your point about books having so many different editions. You can go to the bookstore and try to sell back your book, but they won’t take it because there’s a newer version. Sometimes it seems like there are all these new editions so that publishers can justify charging more for them.
This is an excellent topic, and I agree that it often is not discussed when referring to the high cost of higher education. You make some great points about it being a cost that often isn’t calculated when thinking about tuition costs and ends up being a “surprise” to students and parents alike. Additionally, pointing out that students often have to decide if they should buy a text book and what effect that might have on their grade is a very poignant issue. Another issue to explore is that many professors require their own personal textbooks to be used. While professors may not be making a large profit from these books, they tend to be available from only one source and often have to be purchased at the full value. I would encourage you to also explore if there are any instances where other universities or schools have taken on this issue and how CUNY could implement them. For example, are there any schools who have implemented textbook regulations or limits on how many books a class can require?
I like that you focused on this particular issue, as it is one that, though many students in schools across the United States know about intimately well, often gets overlooked when talking about the broader issue of student debt in our nation. The information presented here certainly helps to highlight the seriousness of the issue, especially the infuriating fact that the same textbooks being used in the US are being sold in France and the United Kingdom for little more than half the price. Information like that calls for action to be taken to lighten the heavy load on the backs of students.