Presenters: Bill Redwine, Assistant VP Auxiliary Services Cheryl Farmer, General Manager University Bookstore Julie Ferguson, Textbook Manager Textbook Adoptions Through the Eyes of the University Bookstore

Purpose of Presentation To improve institutional effectiveness by providing textbook information to students in a timely manner. MSU Goal 4: Improved Infrastructure. We will utilize continuous improvement assessment to ensure effectiveness and efficiency is maintained in : Institutional processes. MSU Goal 4: Improved Infrastructure. We will utilize continuous improvement assessment to ensure effectiveness and efficiency is maintained in : Institutional processes.

Opportunities to make the textbook cycle more efficient: Continue to increase the number of on time adoptions. Continue to increase the number of on time adoptions. Reduce number of titles adopted but not used in the classroom. Reduce number of titles adopted but not used in the classroom. Adopt a more structured template for general education and TBA courses. Adopt a more structured template for general education and TBA courses. To minimize out-of-stock situations on textbooks. To minimize out-of-stock situations on textbooks.

Textbook Adoption Process

Textbook Adoption Process….continued If textbook adoptions do not meet deadlines…. WE CANNOT BUY THE TEXTBOOKS BACK FROM THE STUDENTS!

When we can’t buy the USED textbooks from the students, WHAT HAPPENS?? The students do not get a $$ return for the book they purchased, costing the students more money. The students do not get a $$ return for the book they purchased, costing the students more money. Fewer USED textbooks on the shelf the following semester, costs the students up to 25% more per book. Fewer USED textbooks on the shelf the following semester, costs the students up to 25% more per book. NEW textbooks are purchased from the publishers to meet enrollment demand, costing the students more money. NEW textbooks are purchased from the publishers to meet enrollment demand, costing the students more money. Delay in textbook acquisition causes academic hardship! Delay in textbook acquisition causes academic hardship!

Adoptions by the Numbers Spring 2008 According to the Registrar, MSU offered approximately 3,050 courses. According to the Registrar, MSU offered approximately 3,050 courses. The University Bookstore received approximately 1,770 adoptions. The University Bookstore received approximately 1,770 adoptions. Includes courses that adopted “NO TEXT REQUIRED.” Includes courses that adopted “NO TEXT REQUIRED.” Only 15% of adoptions met the Spring deadline Only 15% of adoptions met the Spring deadline –October 12, 2007

Recent Percentages for Textbook Adoption Information Department “X” had 55% of adoptions to bookstore AFTER deadline. (this is 86 classes of 155 offered by dept.) Department “X” had 55% of adoptions to bookstore AFTER deadline. (this is 86 classes of 155 offered by dept.) –Only 45% were on time One textbook for one course in department “X” with a late adoption cost the University: $ One textbook for one course in department “X” with a late adoption cost the University: $ –Returning 20 books results in $1840 tied up in credit –with publisher –Approx. $80 in total shipping charges (in and out)  Because the text was adopted late and out of stock, students found the books elsewhere. This class had 19 enrolled, we sold 5 books which is only 26%. Courses meeting our deadline have a sell through of 78% or more

Why is an adopted book NOT utilized in the classroom? Faculty changes Faculty changes Incorrect adoption information Incorrect adoption information New edition comes out, change to the newer edition after buying is decision made. New edition comes out, change to the newer edition after buying is decision made. Not utilizing “optional” or “recommended” designation. Not utilizing “optional” or “recommended” designation.

When we adopt and order books that are not used in the classroom, WHAT HAPPENS?? ……… Students purchase a book that is not used in the classroom. If not returned within return policy time frame will lose $$. Students purchase a book that is not used in the classroom. If not returned within return policy time frame will lose $$. Freight is spent shipping the book in and then back to vendor whenever returns are allowed. Freight is spent shipping the book in and then back to vendor whenever returns are allowed. –Often return policies have restocking fees (up to 25%) or other stipulations attached.

When we adopt and order books that are not used in the classroom, WHAT HAPPENS??......continued As of 6/30/2007 more than $379,000 in University funds were tied up with publishers or wholesale book companies As of 6/30/2007 more than $379,000 in University funds were tied up with publishers or wholesale book companies – $221,465 outstanding credits – $158,000 in transit (from Bookstore to various publishers) (from Bookstore to various publishers) If text is bought directly from students during buyback, no returns are available. The University loses the cost of books purchased from students. If text is bought directly from students during buyback, no returns are available. The University loses the cost of books purchased from students.

17% of Spring 2008 Returns Are Due to “books not needed for class” 17% of Spring 2008 Returns Are Due to “books not needed for class” Taken from student survey at registers for returns Spring 2008

General Education classes with multiple textbooks Many students purchase the wrong textbook causing shortages until returned. Many students purchase the wrong textbook causing shortages until returned. –EXAMPLE:The student purchases book for ENG 100 section 1 and that student is enrolled in section 20. Students change sections last minute causing textbook shortages. Students change sections last minute causing textbook shortages. –EXAMPLE: Not all sections of ENG 100 use the same textbooks We can not take advantage of volume buying and shipping discounts. We can not take advantage of volume buying and shipping discounts.

General Education classes with multiple textbooks, Spring 2008 ENG 100 ENG 100 –30 sections, 10 different textbooks –5 of the text being different style guides. If the English department could choose ONE style guide, all MSU students would be using the same reference. Ultimately providing consistency with documentation styles…. SOC 101 SOC 101 –12 sections, 7 different textbooks ESS 106 ESS 106 –8 sections, 4 different textbooks

General Education classes with single textbooks adopted, Spring 2008 MATH 152 MATH 152 –14 sections, 1 textbook SCI 103 SCI 103 –6 sections, 1 textbook CIS 101 CIS 101 –21 sections, 2 textbooks used in ALL sections MSU 101 MSU 101 –10 sections, 1 textbook

What is your University Bookstore doing to help? Campus mailings with deadline information. Campus mailings with deadline information. s to Academic Department Specialists. s to Academic Department Specialists. Phone calls to Departments. Phone calls to Departments. Offering online adoption process for ease, accuracy and efficiency. Offering online adoption process for ease, accuracy and efficiency.

How can Online Adoptions streamline the process? Provides professor with historical adoption information. Provides professor with historical adoption information. Informs professor of the status of the edition such as new, old or out of print. Informs professor of the status of the edition such as new, old or out of print. Ensures correct ISBN is entered. Ensures correct ISBN is entered. –List price information for text Can be done by ADS, Professor and can still be authorized by Department Chair. Can be done by ADS, Professor and can still be authorized by Department Chair. Automatic s confirming the adoption was processed by the University Bookstore. Automatic s confirming the adoption was processed by the University Bookstore.

We can work together to ensure success. We will offer the training for online adoptions. We will offer the training for online adoptions. We will offer incentives for timely adoptions. We will offer incentives for timely adoptions. –MSU merchandise, discounts, instructional aids or University Bookstore gift cards to those meeting adoption deadlines We suggest having the Department Chair/Faculty Committee choose textbooks for TBA classes whenever possible. We suggest having the Department Chair/Faculty Committee choose textbooks for TBA classes whenever possible. We suggest a campus wide General Education textbook list. We suggest a campus wide General Education textbook list.

As the Academic Provost Committee, what can you do to help??? Together we can serve students more efficiently by making these changes: Mandate that all textbook adoptions are submitted online by Spring 2009 Mandate that all textbook adoptions are submitted online by Spring 2009 Improve internal efficiency by cooperating with Registrar and ACA to obtain course build information earlier Improve internal efficiency by cooperating with Registrar and ACA to obtain course build information earlier Create Uniformity in General Ed courses Create Uniformity in General Ed courses

“One or two individuals will never accomplish as much as the collective whole, and if we are to have lasting progress, it must be fueled by the talent and knowledge of those individuals who work with me to achieve our potential.” - Dr. Hughes Statement Vol. XXVI No.2