By
Daniel Scarpinato
Arizona Summer Wildcat
Current interpretation of state statute does not allow departments to purchase computers through the UofA Bookstore.
A university policy inhibiting UA departments from buying computers through the UofA Bookstore may be doing more harm than good, said Frank Farias, director of the bookstore.
An Arizona state statute, which the policy is based on, forbids departments in Arizona's three universities - Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and UA - from buying computers through their own bookstores.
The statute was designed to protect local businesses from unfair competition from the university bookstores, but it may be hurting the bookstores in the long run.
The bookstore, 1209 E. University Blvd., which was once considered a giant against the small independent bookstores in town, is now the underdog compared with the mega stores that have put those same independents out of business.
B.J. Tietjen, assistant director of technology for the bookstore, said many departments go to the bookstore's computer center, CATS, for counseling on what kind of system to purchase. Then those potential costumers must go through UA's purchasing department - which buys through companies outside of the university - rather than buying from the bookstore
Tietjen also pointed out one example where the bookstore could have received an $800 discount on Apple computers if the demand was great enough.
But since UA departments could not supply the added demand, the discount was lost.
According to Tietjen, that savings could have been passed on to a department, such as ASUA, but the university policy stood in the way of the sale.
"We need to commit to a certain number (of computers) to get a discount," Tietjen said. "If we can't sell the equipment, we can't order it."
Farias believes that that university policy, which is based on the state statute, is an outdated interpretation.
Farias said ASU and NAU both have different interpretations of the statute that allow departments to buy through those schools' bookstores.
"We understand that there is a state statute, a state law, addressing this issue," Farias said. "This is not, however, a restriction. It is open to interpretation."
Farias said it is vital for faculty and staff to take advantage of the bookstore in order to keep prices low on all materials, including textbooks.
Ray Quintero, Associated Students president, said ASUA, like every other department in the UA community, must buy their computers through purchasing.
"(Purchasing is) supposed to find the best price for us," Quintero said. "But we are finding out that we can get (the computers) cheaper through the bookstore."
Khaled Sleiman, support systems analyst for ASUA, said ASUA's computer system, which relies on Apple computers, has not been updated in some time, and the bookstore often offers specials on new computers at the beginning of the year that purchasing cannot match.
Sleiman believes ASUA is an exception compared with other departments on campus. The student organization is funded by the bookstore. Therefore, any money ASUA spends there is eventually regenerated back to it.
"The important thing is that the money is recycled," Sleiman said.
Steven Mack, director of purchasing, said that the bookstore is not necessarily meant to provide computers to campus departments.
"The primary function of the bookstore is to service students," Mack said.
He added that the issue he is most concerned with is using funds allocated by the university to find the best value for items like computers.
"I have no issue with taking a look at this policy, if prices can be obtained and it is legal," he said.
Mack and Farias, who have met to discuss the issue, both believe there can be some compromise on the policy.
"I believe that (Farias) and I are heading in the same direction," Mack said.
Farias, who plans to continue talking about the issue, hopes to address the faculty senate in the fall.
"We need to enlighten the campus about the importance of buying from the bookstore," Farias said. "Faculty and staff need to know that they can make an impact and alleviate textbook prices for students."
The UofA Bookstore does not rely on subsidy from the university. Its funds are all generated through revenue.
