AGENDA ITEM BACKGROUND
TO: GOVERNING BOARD
DATE
FROM: PRESIDENT
September 12, 2011
SUBJECT:
Student Course Materials/Bookstore Update
REASON FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
ENCLOSURE(S)
ITEM NUMBER
INFORMATION
E.7
Page 1 of 1
BACKGROUND:
One of the biggest challenges facing our students today is the high cost of course materials. A recent article in
the Chronicle of Higher Education noted that a nation-wide survey revealed that more than seven out of ten
students have skipped buying a textbook because of its cost. In addition to the challenge of the rising costs of
textbooks for students, college bookstores are also facing a tremendous reduction in textbook sales as more and
more students turn to online providers like Amazon.com. In response to increased expenses and declining
revenues, the Board has approved expense reduction plans for the Cabrillo bookstore including the elimination
of two vacant positions, closure of the bookstore on Fridays, and the elimination of service in Watsonville.
During recent Flex Week activities before the first week of classes, faculty expressed concerns about the
elimination of services in Watsonville. The Vice President of Administrative Services attended the orientation
session for faculty and staff at Watsonville during Flex Week, and worked directly with faculty to develop a
plan to deliver bookstore services to Watsonville students during the first two weeks of the fall semester. The
plan included reallocating resources to provide a bookstore staff member to be available to take book orders and
deliver books to students from 8:30-11:00 and 4:00- 7:00, Monday through Wednesday of the first week of
classes and Tuesday through Thursday the second week of classes. Exemplifying collaboration and leadership,
the bookstore staff, admissions and records staff, and Watsonville staff and faculty worked together as a team to
make it possible to provide bookstore services to Watsonville students. We will continue to evaluate how best
to meet the needs of our students in Watsonville as we address the overall challenges the bookstore faces.
College bookstores around the nation are in the midst of a volatile period of transition in the coming months
with respect to on-campus processes to deliver course materials including textbooks. Another element of
transition at the Cabrillo bookstore involves the recent resignation of Cabrillo’s bookstore manager, effective
September 12, 2011. The college’s administration is currently in discussion with locally owned bookstores to
explore the possibility of securing interim bookstore management services as quickly as possible to avoid a
disruption of services for students.
Administrator Initiating Item:
Victoria Lewis
Academic and Professional Matter
If yes, Faculty Senate Agreement
Senate President Signature
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
Final Disposition