Notes from Textbook Roundtable at CCME
1st Session – 60 attendees
Opened the session with comments from each of the Panelists:
Dr. Raymer: Not against free textbooks, just want soldiers to have a positive relevant
experience and look at all of their options without the textbooks being the only reason
they choose an institution. Wants students to choose the right degree, right school for
them looking at all factors.
Mr. Walts: Understands the constraints and economic environment and that E5 pay
doesn’t go very far. Appreciates schools doing what they can to reduce out of pocket
costs. First and foremost quality is important and needs to meet individual outcomes.
Only concern is that free books could lead to offerings of free ipads, reader’s etcetera to
read the eBooks, which would then be considered an enticement.
Dr. Woods: Definitely pro-textbook, prefers hardback versus electronic, still references
former textbooks in his research. Want to hear from attendee’s ways schools are
deflecting costs.
Statement from audience: Cost of textbooks continues to increase. Trying to find ways to
balance costs and reduce out of pocket costs.
Dr. Woods: DOD MOU states policy that textbooks cannot be included in tuition
Dr. Raymer: Fees and grants not allowed if part of tuition, need to be broken out
as separate items. Concern is as to why it is being done, i.e. marketing
ploy? Right thing to do? Schools need to apply policy and be fair. There is
something to be said for investing in oneself, responsibility. Coast Guard
is a good example.
Mr. Walts: Fees are a challenge as counselors need to work out what is allowed
and what isn’t. Just concerned that it doesn’t become a slippery slope
that leads to other incentives.
Representative from Vincennes stated that they utilized a loan closet for textbooks and
allowed students to sign them out. They received a fine notice from the state of
Washington for not charging a usage fee and told that they would continue to be fined for
any further violations. Side note: referred him to president of Washington ACME which
has a seat on the Governors Military Transition Council.
Comment from audience: Schools continue to respond to the whims of the services. In
1999 laptops could be provided as long as not part of tuition, now being told how to
spend money and disperse revenue, all at the same time referrals are coming to their
school from education centers not only because of quality, but textbooks.
Dr. Raymer: Part of the problem is that there is not enough counseling being done
with reduced staffs and education center hours. Students are being
recruited not counseled, and are not being informed of all of their options
including credits for military experience. Not enough counselors and
GoArmyed is too easy. Army is ramping up assessment of military courses
through ACE. CSA strategic objective. DOD MOU, Presidents Principles
call for outcomes leading to a fully employed consumer. Schools are
filling the void due to lack of counselors.
Dr. Woods: Would like sailors to show some pre-thought and not make a quick
decision, there is a need to be creative in reducing costs, cost deflectors,
and time deflectors. Maybe consider a time between first conversation and
enrollment.
Mr. Walts: Members are not getting effective counseling; 45K members with 20%
using TA and pending reduction of 45 full time counselors to 30 = 3K:1
ration. TA only going to accredited institutions.
Comment from audience: Organization rents textbooks as cost of books are spiraling.
Looking at utilizing electronic materials, peer reviewed literature, competencies and
collaborations. Has set up University Press to publish own materials.
Comment from audience: This is an old issue, congressional inquiries for books, laptops,
centralized TA, Ipads, readers, smartphones and additional issues such as financial crisis.
Just trying to take care of students, resources, and people. Nothing wrong with providing
books, policy just states that it cannot be included in the tuition rate.
Dr. Raymer: Commanders also need to be involved more in the decision.
Dr. Woods: Sailorization needs to happen first, commanders involved in process.
With a unified approval process come better policies.
Mr. Walts: Funding is different for Coast Guard than with DOD, crave parity but
realities don’t always allow. Must fund all training and voled with same
pot of funds. Retention is at an all time high, and there is a 2-3 year wait
for A-schools. Allowing them to go to school immediately keeps them out
of trouble while they are waiting.
SOC: US Code states that fees and books cannot be included in tuition. There are schools
whose websites state that they are included.
Notes from Textbook Roundtable at CCME
2nd Session – 28 attendees
Only including different ideas from 1st session.
Schools are writing and publishing their own textbooks to reduce cost; renting textbooks;
loaning ereaders for electronic materials; eportfolios; version control on hardback books;
There was a call for valid indicators and data points. Navy stated possible 18-27% drop in
use of TA if cost share is instituted.
Consensus that as usual all schools are paying for the deeds of a few bad actors.
Possible committee to research options and alternatives in relation to textbook
affordability. Report as breakout of CCME2015.