Cheaper Book Bill Moves Forward In Florida
This story was written by Robyn Sidersky, Central Florida Future
A bill that could make textbooks more affordable has been moving favorably through the Florida House and Senate.
The bill would give students more time to find the lowest-possible price on textbooks.
The bill would require that community colleges and universities to post textbook requirements on their websites no fewer than 30 days before the start of the term. The list must include all relevant information necessary to identify specific textbooks for each course.
The bill would also prevent professors from receiving kickbacks for using certain publishers and certain books.
Maria Pecoraro, the University of Central Florida's Student Government Association's director of governmental affairs, has been working to gain support for the bill in Tallahassee.
"We need to make sure our voice counts on every level of government," Pecoraro said.
While students were visiting Tallahassee for UCF Day at the Capitol, the bill was heard in the Higher Education Committee of the Senate.
Not only were UCF students there to show support, but several other universities spoke before the committee in support of the bill.
Representatives from Florida Community College of Jacksonville, Santa Fe Community College, the Florida Student Association Inc. and Valencia Community College spoke as well.
The bill passed unanimously through its first committee.
The bill was introduced in the house by Sen. Jeff Atwater.
"While in Florida, we've done a great job at keeping tuition low, but textbooks can skyrocket," said Megan Kossove, one of Atwater's legislative assistants.
Kossove said that the policy would take effect July 1 and would be put in place by February 2009. Students would begin to see effects by the summer.
Students at UCF are taking action to support the bill, and SGA's Student Senate passed a supportive resolution this week.
"It sends a strong message that students support textbook affordability," said SGA Sen. Patrick Stauffer, who introduced the resolution.
Student Body President Brandie Hollinger supports the bill as well. She said the unanimous vote by the Higher Education Committee said a lot about the student voice.
If the bill passes its next hurdle, being heard by the Committee on Higher Education Appropriations, it will mean another step toward success.
The benefits to students would be learning what textbooks are required for their classes earlier and finding the lowest-possible price from multiple sources, not just the university bookstore.
Both undergraduate and graduate students could benefit from the bill.
"For graduate students, it's pretty expensive, and knowing in advance is important for graduate students," said Patrick Walsh, vice president of the Graduate Student Association.
Christina Trexler, the gradate affairs coordinator for SGA and the secretary for GSA, said that although textbooks are not as much of an issue for graduate students, she still supports it and understands the importance of the bill.
Junior molecular and microbiology major Kevin Morrison said he is also in support of the bill.
"If you have the book earlier, you can study. You can be a month ahead of your courses," Morrison said. "A lot of students now, their grades hurt because they refuse to pay that much for books. They wait to get lower prices, and their grades hurt."
Ultimately, it's still up to the students whether they want to take advantage of the extra time to find more affordable books.
"I think kids will definitely, if given the opportunity, purchase the cheaper book," Morrison said.
© 2008 Central Florida Future via U-WIRE