Book costs skyrocketing

By Staff Editorial     9/3/09 7:00pm

Make no mistake - we are glad that the printed word lives. But with the way that textbook prices have skyrocketed in recent years, something must be done to make these books available to all those who both need and want them. Because if the prices stay the way they are, we will soon all be outpriced.Rice, unfortunately, is no exception to the trend (see story, page 4). Classes across the board have seen prices go through the roof for books and course packets alike. And because a public option is available only in health care - or so we hope - we are forced to settle on private-sector options for our literature.

Aside from calling for greater discounts at the campus bookstore, we must also propose a secondary option. Brown College began a commendable trend two years ago with the inception of the Huge Fuckin' Booksale, an event where students can go to swap books for fantastic deals. We would like to see the sale expanded both in time, perhaps once each of the first two weeks, and space, perhaps to a more centralized location like the Rice Memorial Center. The name might have to be changed - something less abrasive may work - but the student body would be greatly indebted. Which is better than being in debt, any day.

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