By
Christian Richardson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UofA Bookstore gives percentage of textbook earnings to ASUA and commencement
UA-area bookstores' textbooks are priced by the publishers, which stretch students' dollars to cover the costs of printing, marketing and the authors' income.
The textbook dollar was broken down in a research done by the National Association of College Stores and the Association of American Publishers.
About 32 cents that students spend on textbooks is sent to the publisher for paper and printing costs. More than 15 cents is used for marketing costs, and 12 cents go to the authors' income.
College bookstore personnel receive 11 cents, and the college store income is 5 cents, according to statistics from the National Association of College Stores and the Association of American Publishers.
The selling of textbooks is a $5.9 billion industry, said Laura Nakoneczny, the National Association of College Stores public relations director.
"The publisher dictates the cost - the consumer dictates to the publisher," Nakoneczny said.
The students and the professors ask for a specific font size, color, and these preferences rise the costs, she said.
About 4 percent of every dollar that the UofA Bookstore receives is used for Associated Students and commencement, said Cindy Hawk, an assistant director.
Hawk said prices are an industry standard that are completely set by the publisher.
Many college bookstores around the country give their textbook revenues to campus activities, Nakoneczny said.
Hawk said UofA Bookstore experiences a 4 percent inflation rate in the prices of textbooks every year.
She estimated that every student spent at least $300 on textbooks this semester. Some of the most expensive books are for engineering students.
Dustin Kalman, site manager at Rother's Bookstore, explained that prices go up every year.
"Price is based on cost - cost is determined by the publisher," Kalman said.
UofA Bookstore will double the difference in price of textbooks purchased at UA-area college bookstores within seven days of the original purchase.
"We always price match if there is a difference," Kalman said.
He advises students to shop early for used books.
Katie Risner, an undeclared freshman, said she spent about $300 on textbooks this semester.
"All my books were used and they were still expensive," Risner said.
James Suh, a computer engineering junior, said he spent $350 on mostly new books at the UofA Bookstore. Suh added the textbooks are worth the cost.
"They have to make money. If they had to lower the cost, the quality would go down," he said.
