The Maryland University System Board of Regents today unanimously approved a policy requiring professors to make information on textbooks, such as edition and ISBN, available to students well in advance of the start of classes to allow them to search for the best price. The Board estimates the policy will cut textbook costs 20 to 30 percent:
Faculty are encouraged to use the same books for multiple semesters so students can buy the books used. Bookstores will also have to carry unbundled versions of course materials so students can buy only what they need.
“The fact of the matter is, when you’re teaching 18th century American history, the material doesn’t change that much,” said regent David Nevins. “We are strongly encouraging faculty to use the same textbooks as long as they’re educationally sound.”
University presidents said they supported the policy. “It’s going to make a difference. It’s going to help students,” said UMBC [University of Maryland, Baltimore County] President Freeman Hrabowski.
Interesting. Sure, it only applies to public universities in one state, but could this be a sign of change on the horizon? Next year’s WesMaps should be up in a couple of weeks, and every course listing includes a spot for “Required Readings;” there’s no reason the ISBN of the required books shouldn’t be listed alongside the titles and editions. Now if someone would just bar publishers from producing shrink-wrapped books that can’t be returned if they’ve been opened…
Baltimore Sun: Md. college students to see reduced textbook costs
I always just tried to email the prof before classes started…
I always just tried to email the prof before classes started…
lets make our school do this.
lets make our school do this.
more importantly, why shouldn’t we just read all of the out of copyright,as well as wikimaterial, jstor, google books etc. material online and reject the feudal structure imposed by the publishing companies monopolization of the means of education. Less paper, easier to cut and paste and cite, mush cheaper.
more importantly, why shouldn’t we just read all of the out of copyright,as well as wikimaterial, jstor, google books etc. material online and reject the feudal structure imposed by the publishing companies monopolization of the means of education. Less paper, easier to cut and paste and cite, mush cheaper.
Just order them as soon as you know, and start your reading two weeks late. It’s really not that big a deal.
Just order them as soon as you know, and start your reading two weeks late. It’s really not that big a deal.
But not very long before classes start.
But not very long before classes start.
You can find the names of authors, editions of books and titles of the book with pictures on broad streets website before classes start.
You can find the names of authors, editions of books and titles of the book with pictures on broad streets website before classes start.
seriously, once i asked if i could have the ISBNs of books that i had to order thru broadstreet, and they told me they didnt have that information. which is stupid.
seriously, once i asked if i could have the ISBNs of books that i had to order thru broadstreet, and they told me they didnt have that information. which is stupid.