Collegian

     College is expensive for most students, and costs keep increasing everywhere. The Student Senate was determined to answer any questions students might have about the growing costs of both textbooks and tuition at their meeting Tuesday, Feb 21.

     "Book costs will not be going down anytime soon", said Keith McCann, manager of the LCCC Bookstore.

     McCann was invited to the meeting to explain the high costs of textbooks. College book prices have risen at twice the rate of inflation during the past two decades.

     "The new supplements that are added to textbooks now can best explain the price increase of books," said McCann. "The publisher is telling us that instructors are demanding these new supplements, and that's why they are put in the new book packages."

     These supplements include online passwords for extra study texts,        CD-ROMs with information on it, and other texts  that  can be uploaded onto  computers.

     There is also discussion of having all textbooks in an electronic version. In a survey done by the bookstore, 64 percent of LCCC students said they would prefer traditional printed textbooks over an electronic version, 13 percent said that they would rather have electronic, and 19 percent had no preference.

     "You can share written textbooks, you can highlight them, you don't have to download a printed text onto your computer, and you can sell it back to the bookstore to get some money back," said McCann. "With an electronic version, you can't do anything."

     Lisa Hooker, an LCCC student, said that she would rather have a printed textbook.

     "It's easy to take anywhere, and you don't have to mess with a computer to get your information. Plus, you can keep it and sell it back, or share it with friends."

     If publishers do start producing electronic versions of books, there is talk of have a "time out" on the disc. This means that, after a certain amount of time, students would no longer be able to access the information on it for future use.

     And if students are debating on whether or not buying books at these costs is worth it, a recent survey done by the bookstore shows that 76 percent of instructors use their textbooks in class.

     "Yes, costs are rising, but most instructors use a book in their class. It just comes down to what students need to do the assignments, pass the exams, and do well in the class," said McCann.

     Another cost that may soon be rising is tuition. The Operations Council has had serious discussions about a 6 percent increase in tuition. There has been a 4 percent increase in tuition over the last three years.

     "State funding is way down," said Student Senate President, Sarah Perrigan. "But it's only a maybe right now, nothing definite. I will keep everyone updated as more information comes."

     In other news, Student Senate election packets are due by March 10 and campaigning begins March 19. For those interested in being on the election committee, meetings will be every other Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the BU building.

     A President's Forum will be held April 13 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. This event is held once a semester, and allows students to ask Dr. Church any questions they might have.

     Any questions about this event can be directed to Amanda Roos in the Student Senate office.

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