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Editorial: Book blame: A question without an answer

    For a lot of students at Illinois Valley Community College the low cost of attendance is high on their list of reasons for choosing IVCC. And, in that regard, the college should be commended.
    Tuition is reasonable and there is an ample amount of financial aid available for those who seek assistance.
What’s unfortunate is the murder of the college student’s budget that occurs each semester in the bookstore. When the total shows up on the cash register and a semester’s worth of books costs about half the price of tuition, it is no wonder students want to throw their books at someone.
    Unfortunately, the question looms, who do you throw your overpriced books at? The bookstore? Probably not a good idea: the bookstore is forced to sell books based on a publisher’s cost. Okay, so throw your books at the publisher! Wait, it isn’t their fault either! They’ll suggest you throw them at your instructors, who require updated materials and bundles with CD-ROMS and Internet sites!
    To the instructors then! Hurl those big, ugly books at them! But wait! They didn’t set those prices! Marketing strategies and new technology are responsible.
    Ugh, who are we throw our books at? I guess the best solution is throw them into our book bags and get over it. It doesn’t seem there is anyone to blame, but a combination of factors. So there’s no sense in harassing the bookstore manager or your instructor.
    Our suggestion? If book price is a problem for you, educate yourself and learn about other low-cost alternatives to purchasing your textbooks. Use the Internet or make a deal with a friend. Who knows, maybe you can even buy a book about it.

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