I stumbled across an NPR story today about Sacramento State University’s book rental program. Click here to read the story.
In an effort to make college cheaper for students, the university is offering text books for rent at 55% of the regular price. Students are required to return them at the end of the year, but they can still highlight in them and make notes in the margins.
Not every book is for rent, but ones for the common courses, like Psych 101 or math, can easily be found. New books are still available at full-price and used books are still discounted, but not as cheap as the rented books.
I know my textbook bills were hundreds of dollars each semester, and I had one of the cheapest bills. Anyone who was a science major was looking at $600 or more.
What do you think about this program? Is this something that could be replicated here?
Just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and to keep up the good work in 2011!