VA21 lobbies for cheaper textbooks; SGA focuses on other issues

JMU fortunate to have variety of bookstores, SGA says

By Maria Nosal/ SGA reporter

The Student Government Association’s legislative action committee (LAC) has decided not to lobby for a textbook reform bill on a lobbying trip to Richmond in early February. The bill is being supported by Virginia21, a congregation of representatives from Virginia colleges and universities. SGA instead will focus on more pressing matters for JMU students.

"The legislative action committee decided not to lobby on textbook reforms and focus on other items on our agenda for Richmond," said sophomore senator Stephanie Genco, a member of the LAC.

The proposed bill, the Textbook Market Fairness Act, has two parts. The first says professors cannot receive "kickbacks" or incentives from publishers to use a specific textbook.

The second says professors must place their classes’ textbook lists online, giving students an opportunity to buy books elsewhere.

All Virginia public colleges and universities are included in the legislation. The first vote regarding this bill will be on today in the House of Delegates’ education committee.

"This bill is meant to prevent the bookstore from becoming a monopoly," VA21 spokesman Dave Solimini said. "This is something that we can do that will help the students, by helping them save now.
VA21 will perform a year-long investigation to locate other methods to help students find cheaper textbooks.

"Right now our goal is that the representatives in Richmond know how we feel about this subject," Solimini said.

However, JMU students feel since there is a good relationship with the bookstore, there is no need to lobby on the topic, senior senator Beth Rudolph.

"Since JMU students currently have access to two off-campus bookstores, and required textbook lists are available in advance online, we felt JMU students have options when it comes to buying books," Genco said.

Although JMU is not supporting the bill, representatives are making the effort to help the other public colleges in the state lobbying for this issue.

"We are supporting other schools trying to make sure they have the opportunity to look at books online," Rudolph said.