November 9, 2009
by Genevieve Jerome | Print Features Editor
City College student Zach Voss holds four textbooks, which would have cost $100 less if he had bought them used. Randy Brigss
Students and instructors alike are sick and tired of the high prices of textbooks.
The California Student Public Interest Research Group, a student advocacy group, is aiming to change that. CALPIRG is running a campaign to lower textbook prices at City College by collecting support at colleges nationwide.
City College student and CALPIRG intern Lindsey Bourgeois is asking students and professors of City College to sign a petition for lowering textbook prices.
“It is important for students to be involved in this campaign because they are the ones who are directly affected by the rising costs of textbooks,” said Bourgeois. “If students do not speak up about what a hardship paying for textbooks can be, publishing companies will continue to increase the cost of textbooks.”
CALPIRG’s goal is to gather and organize college students from across the country to solve issues that affect students daily, such as financial problems and struggles in graduating from community college. CALPIRG does not currently have any chapters on community college campuses in California, however.
The four-year campaign to lower textbook prices began at UC Berkeley, and has since moved on to schools nationwide. Students interested in becoming involved in the campaign can contact Bourgeois at lindseybourgeois@gmail.com, or visit http://www.scc.losrios.edu/campus_news/textbook_affordability_campaign.htm.
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