Where are the books?
This is the question CSUB students and faculty are asking more often this quarter than usually. Large numbers of students are still missing books in the second week of the quarter.
On Friday, business major Christina Pina was still attempting to get her accounting book.
“They ran out the first day of class,” said Pina. “They got four in today and they are already gone. They said they were reordering today, but not sure on the date [they would be in].”
Another student, Alysia Cain, has been able to purchase only two of 10 books required for her classes.
“I went the first day and didn’t want to wait in line, but went Wednesday and they were sold out,” said Cain. “They obviously ordered some, but not enough.”
This situation has created problems in completing assignments. Pina has a presentation today, which requires the missing book, and Cain has been going to the library and reading the one copy on reserve so as not to fall behind.
Some faculty members, such as history professor Miriam Vivian, have also noted students complaining about missing books, though she has not personally noticed a dramatic difference in the efficiency of the Runner Bookstore this particular quarter.
“What seems different is what I hear from students,” said Vivian. “Every single class has at least one book missing.”
Vivian has noticed a decrease in the quality of service from the bookstore in the past several years.
“The service is inconsistent and there is a lack of communication,” she said. “We feel in the dark about what is going on. Why do some [books] come and some don’t?”
Psychology Department Chair Jess Deegan has been asking faculty with difficulties obtaining books to contact him. Twenty people responded to his request. He forwarded this list to Randall Bye, CSUB Foundation director, who promised that the issues would be resolved.
Bye met recently with Kelly Swanson, the Runner Bookstore manager, to see if the situation could be alleviated. They are presently working on a solution.
Swanson feels somewhat blindsided by these complaints.
“I want to meet with them to see what can be worked out,” said Swanson. “Dr. Deegan or the faculty on his list have never contacted me directly.”
Swanson said that there are several reasons for the delays in receiving book orders, including an unusually large number of students this quarter. Last year at this time the enrollment was only 6,000. This year, according to CSUB’s Public Affairs Director Mike Stepanovich, student enrollment is more than 7,000.
“It’s growing pains of the school and of the community, ”said Swanson. “Several professors have increased their orders at the last minute.” She attributes this to over enrollment. In addition, a blizzard and the Sept. 11 bombing have contributed to delays in shipping.
One major factor, according to Swanson, is the tardiness of professors turning in their orders. She and Stepanovich agree that the majority of professors turn in their orders long after the due date for submitting orders, some as late as a week before classes begin.
“Many professors submit their orders after finals,” said Swanson. “This limits the number of books we can buy back from students and delays the ordering process.”
The ordering process takes about two months. The absolute last date for orders for this quarter was Nov. 9.
“When we receive orders we immediately submit it to a distributor in the Midwest specializing in used textbooks and get what books we can,” said Swanson. “Most students prefer used books because they are less expensive. We then place publisher orders which take about four to six weeks.”
To expedite getting the books to the students, Swanson has authorized overnight shipping and is maintaining a list of students missing books. These students will be contacted as soon as their books come in.
Another reason some textbook orders were missing was a mix-up in campus mailroom deliveries. One set of book orders from Education Professor Kathy Ritter, for example, clearly marked “Runner Bookstore”, came instead to this newspaper’s office and sat in the in-box during the Christmas break.
The previous textbook manager, who some have blamed for the problems with the textbook orders, left at the end of last quarter. Kim Parker, who has worked at the store for three years, has taken the position.
“It’s a daunting job,” said Swanson. “She’s been doing a great job, working 16 hours a day to get all the orders filled.”
According to Swanson, all the books should be in by the middle of the week, barring anything unforeseen.
“My only goal is to have the books for every student,” said Swanson, “because that is what I do.”
Runner@csubak.edu