Bookstore Advisory Council
October 23rd, 2012
4:15 PM
Auxiliary Services Conference Room (Bldg. 8, Rm. 1106)
Members Present: Faith Hall (Chair), Hong Chen, Christy Linster, Glenda Kelsey, Robb Waltner, Daniel
Sacks, Alex Goetz
Members Absent: Kristine Dalton, Newton Jackson, Kayleigh Harrison, Bennett Smith
Others Present: Vince Smyth (Auxiliary), Suzanne Holder (Follett), Kimberly Banks (Follett), Jay Thomas
(Follett), Stephanie Peters (Auxiliary)
The meeting was called to order at 11:05 PM by Tom Van Schoor (Chair)
1. Approval to Audio Record Meeting
Faith Hall informed the attendees that the meeting would be recorded to assist with minutes.
2. Introductions
Attendees all introduced themselves.
3. Approval of Agenda
Faith Hall asked if all members were in agreement with the meetings agenda, no disagreement was
voiced.
4. Approve Minutes of February 21, 2012 meeting
Approved by Robb Waltner, seconded by Daniel Sacks.
5. Review Bylaws
Vince Smyth briefly reviewed the Bylaws, and they were approved.
6. Vice Chair Nominations
Faith Hall asked if anyone was interested in being the Vice Chair, and reminded that the Bylaws state
that the Vice Chair typically succeeds the Chair the following year. The only nomination was Robb
Waltner. The Council was in agreement that Robb be the Vice Chair. The nomination will be
submitted to the President for ratification.
7. Facilities Report – Vince Smyth
Vince Smyth briefly went over his affiliation with the Bookstore Council and 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. Alex asked if the contract with Follett is multi-year or has to be renewed every year. Vince
responded that the original contract was signed in 2001 and was a ten year agreement. It was
extended by five years to October 2016 back in 2007-2008 because Follett gave around 2.25 million
dollars to help fund the Student Union. The contract language does not allow for any further
extensions. Alex also mentioned the legislature possibly affecting textbooks and requirements that
they be posted 45 days prior to the start of term and if Follett just has to go along with it. Vince
responded that the University deals with that issue through their departments, and that the
University passed a policy/regulation a number of years ago, the departments must get their
adoptions 45 days before start of term to Follett, and then Follett posts the textbook.
8. Operations Report – Suzanne Holder
Suzanne reported that sales are down by around $200,000, but had around $220,000 less financial
aid awarded to students than last year. Add to the fact that there are 200 less freshman than last
year, she feels it’s flat. Digital sales are up 347%, so more and more students are getting interested
in digital format textbooks. Last year digital sales were at $9,000, and as of right now sales are at
$41,000. Two years ago digital sales were at $2,000. The digital format is less expensive to students.
Currently regarding promotions, they have quality sweatshirts for sale for $14.95 each. Faculty and
Staff appreciation will be November 29th and 30th. They have a new Course Materials Manager,
Arline Avery and will be starting November 4th.
Vince added regarding the $220,000 less financial aid awarded to students means that overall
students received a lot less financial aid. He also stated that in regards to digital availability of
textbooks from publishers, they’ve had increases but not every textbooks are available via digital.
Suzanne added that some professors are replacing books because of digital. She also noted there
are two different types of digital types, CafeScribe and Inkling. This semester there were 400 books
available in digital format, and that number has been increasing. Alex asked if there was any
protection in the buyback policy protecting the value of books. Suzanne responded that the
bookstore will always buy back books as long as there is not a new edition out. She added that the
price of buyback is industry standard, and that the bookstore does not control the prices. Alex
mentioned that his previous college in Gainesville had a 50% buyback policy, and that the policy
here appears different. Suzanne responded that if the book is being used next semester, they will
buy it back at 50%, but if it’s not the price will be at the wholesaler’s price.
9. Future of Course Materials – Jay Thomas
Jay mentioned that years ago text materials were just new and used until the rental and digital
models came long. People are starting to carry tablet devices around more often. The traditional
textbook still hold at 50% of sales. E-Books, digital only, are still on the lower end of sales, but
growing steadily. Suzanne asked in regards to traditional print being higher, is that in regards to the
choice of publisher or author. Jay responded that publishers are heavily invested in their textbooks,
and aren’t so eager to make it into a cheaper digital copy. Glenda asked when the surveys were
done, and Jay responded that surveys are done every year.
Rental savings for April to October 2012, is $429,000 and digital sales are $48,000. Used textbook
savings is $583,000. Total textbook savings is $1,060,000. Rental program savings since fall 2010 is
$3,275,000 here at UNF. Rental is both digital and physical textbooks.
Alex asked what kind of pressure the professors to update their books because it seems like the
books are the same or not very many changes. Jay said that the decision to what textbook the
professor adopts is up to him, but also if he stays with the same textbook eventually there may be
no more copies of the textbook if the professor stays with the older book.
Inkling will take a textbook from the publisher and make it digital and interactive. There is a list that
instructors can look at on their website to see what is available. Also Inkling will take feedback from
universities and vendors.
Driving forces of digital content in higher education have been the availability of quality assessment
tools, rise of student ownership of tablets and smartphones, elevates university standards, favorable
pricing and distance learning. Digital format is challenging because digital content has been
unexciting, just a scanned textbook PDF. Digital is cheaper than physical textbooks, but doesn’t have
a buyback option. Another challenge is some students don’t have access to internet. Problem based
textbooks are going to be the ones that will be evolving to digital, to become more interactive
based. The theory based will probably stay in physical text format due to there not being much
interacting, and more reading based.
They see it remaining mostly print based textbooks, with some shift to digital. In about three years
you will see more digital, but print based textbooks will stay strong. Tablets will become more
important, price will be a major factor. In about five years, traditional print will be down, digital will
be offered in multiple formats.
includED takes the cost of textbooks and pulls it into tuition. It could be rental, digital, new or used.
Follett works with the publisher to get the best prices they can get and put it into tuition. 1 in 5
students have skipped or deferred taking a class due to cost of materials. One third of students go
without course material. 93% of faculty feel that the students that use the materials make better
grades.
Vince stated that the idea is complex to increase the tuition, decisions associated to it. If the
program doesn’t use course materials it’s going to be included in tuition anyway. The legislature
may not approve the tuition increase. Jay responded that Follett has their own office that could
work out the best model for UNF, and could be worked to detailed to specific departments.
Alex asked if he shares Follett’s information on rental savings to the Board of Governors. Vince
responded that the Board of Governors are aware of the rental program. Alex also mentioned the
bookstore being sold out of a book, causing some students that did not have money right away to
buy books to get behind. Jay responded that they base their number of books ordered on
enrollment and have tried to order early. Publishers only allow a certain amount of books to be
resold back to the publisher.
10. Emerging/Other Issues
None reported.
11. Future Meeting(s)
Vince said that typically the council meets once a semester, so the next meeting will be in Spring
2013.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 P.M.