Bookstore Advisory Council
February 7 th , 2013
11:00 A.M.
Auxiliary Services Conference Room (Bldg. 8, Rm. 1106)
Members Present: Faith Hall (Chair), Robb Waltner (Vice Chair,) Hong Chen, Kristine Dalton, Christy
Linster, Glenda Kelsey, Jennifer Morris (SGA,) Anthony Grego (SGA)
Members Absent: Newton Jackson, Bennett Smith
Others Present: Vince Smyth (Auxiliary), Suzanne Holder (Follett), Aroline Avery (Follett), Kimberly Banks
(Follett), Rhea Sparks (Auxiliary), Kristi Sweeney (for Newton Jackson)
The meeting was called to order at 11:02 A.M. by Faith Hall (Chair)
1.
Approval to Audio Record Meeting
Faith Hall informed the attendees that the meeting would be recorded to assist with minutes.
2.
New Membership
Attendees all introduced themselves.
3.
Approval of Agenda
Faith Hall asked for motion to approve the agenda, Kristi Sweeney motioned and Glenda Kelsey and
Anthony Grego seconded.
4.
Approve Minutes of October 23, 2012 meeting
Approved by Kristine Dalton, seconded by Kristi Sweeney and no disapprovals.
5.
Vice Chair Ratification
Faith Hall stated that at the last meeting Robb Waltner was selected to be nominated for Vice Chair at the prior meeting, which means he will become the Chair of the council next year. Vince briefly went over the process, and that the University President has sent the letter ratifying Robb Waltner as Vice Chair.
6.
Facilities Report – Vince Smyth
Vince Smyth briefly went over his role with the Bookstore Council and with Follett and his responsibility as the Director of Auxiliary Services. On a day to day basis he acts as the University’s liaison with Follett.

There are some minor changes in Follett’s backroom with shelving, but nothing extensive. There is nothing on the horizon, no amendments or anything of the type concerning the contract with
Follett.
7.
Operations Report – Suzanne Holder
Suzanne stated that at the last meeting she had mentioned that sales were down by $200,000 for the fall semester, due to lower freshman enrollment and less financial aid being awarded to students. Sales did not drop as much for spring semester $337,000 to last year, but feels that they gained a little back. Digital sales are up 202% over last year, so more faculty and students are embracing digital formats of books. Digital sales are up $48,361.
Suzanne mentioned that the reason they reworked the Bookstore’s back room is because online sales are up by 35%. When they pull an order from online, they have to have a place to store the orders for when the students come to pick them up. They added two additional registers to the downstairs, because they have moved all registers to the first floor of the bookstore.
Aroline expressed that their market share has dropped to 47%, which means less than half of the students are buying their books from the bookstore. Spring 2011 – Spring 2012 had a 4% decrease, and from Spring 2012 – Spring 2013 had a 7% decrease. They are attempting different options to bring the market share back to the bookstore, and that the options the students need are available in store. Suzanne cited that they ran a promotion where it was 33% off a selection of used books of what they were listed for on the shelf. Aroline added that they sent out summer selections on
February 1 st , and they are due back on March 15 th . For the fall semester they are going to push for electronic submissions, so instructors and assistants can go online to check their submissions and for future semesters all they have to do is change the ISBN number if need be.
Faith Hall asked if the 33% off certain used books was announced in the Campus or Student update e-mails. Suzanne responded that e-mails were sent out to previous online customers, and that there were signs placed around campus for advertisement, but not in the campus and student update emails. Faith suggested that the update e-mails would be a good way to get the word out to a larger audience.
Suzanne said that some promotions going on are the traditional spring $7.95 per t-shirt, new sweatshirt promotion $19.95 per and value price books are buy two get one free. Faith Hall asked how far in advance they know about their sales, and Suzanne responded about two weeks in advance. Faith Hall suggested including the promotions in the e-mails and letters sent out to Alumni.
Kristi Sweeney asked how the 33% off used books compared to the online pricing, and if they are letting faculty know. Suzanne responded that it’s competitive with pricing online, and if they continue to do the 33% off certain used books they will inform faculty in the future to get the word out to the students.

Vince mentioned that one of the reasons why the sales were down, is that not only did the university have less first-year students on campus, but the total financial aid disbursed was significantly lower than previous years.
8.
Emerging/Other Issues
None reported.
9.
Future Meeting(s)
Typically the council meets once a semester unless something major emerges, so the next meeting will be in Fall 2013.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:17 A.M.