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Washington, DC-- Last year, Congressman David Wu requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the rise in the price of college textbooks and the business practices of the publishing industry. While the GAO's report will not be released for another few weeks, Congressman Wu has continued to fight for fair college textbook pricing by highlighting the issue in the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. He believes one way a college education can be more accessible for all students is to make textbooks more affordable.
"This situation defies common sense, and it is troubling when you consider the skyrocketing cost of higher education." stated Congressman Wu.
Late last night, during a committee markup of H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005, Congressman Wu offered, and the committee agreed, to an amendment that addresses the rising cost of college textbooks. His amendment lists specific steps textbook publishers, faculty, bookstores and institutions of higher education should take to make college textbooks more affordable for students.
Specifically, Congressman Wu's amendment states textbook publishers should provide students with the option of buying materials, such as textbooks, CD-ROMs, access to websites and workbooks, ‘‘a la carte’’ or ‘‘unbundled.’’ Congressman Wu believes the practice of "bundling" learning materials has contributed to the rising cost of textbooks.
Textbook publishers should also provide faculty with a greater amount of information so they are able to make better decisions for students in selecting the recommended textbook and learning materials. Congressman Wu believes publishers should disclose the cost of the recommended textbook, how a new edition is different from previous editions, an estimated length of time the publishers intend to produce the current edition and any other textbook option which that publisher produces along with the estimated price.
Congressman Wu also asks college bookstores to work with faculty to review timelines and processes for ordering and stocking selected textbooks, including the costs to faculty and students.
Additionally, Congressman Wu encourages colleges and universities to implement programs such as, campus-sponsored textbook rental, lending and buy back programs or any other forum, to address textbook affordability.
Congressman Wu's concerns about the rising cost of textbooks followed news reports in 2003 that revealed American students often pay much more than overseas students for identical textbooks published in the United States. Those concerns prompted Congressman Wu to request the GAO investigation.
When the GAO's report is released, Congressman Wu will likely announce the findings in Oregon in early August. Should the report highlight areas in need of reform, Congressman Wu will continue to pursue legislation.
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