A plan to help some of the busiest, hardest working, financially burdened citizens who are seeking to better the world through higher education? What a concept.
A new bill, to be presented to the Ohio Senate on Oct. 30, would do just that.
It would require that all textbook buybacks be bought for at least half of the original cost, a far cry from the measly dollar often offered for textbooks not on file at a bookstore.
The bill would also ensure that materials be sold individually rather than in bundles. Often, a textbook is packaged with a workbook or CD, and the textbook cannot be sold back for a reasonable amount or sometimes at all. If these were sold individually, students could purchase used textbooks and new workbooks, and they could sell back that textbook at the end of the quarter.
In addition, the bill would prevent professors from collecting royalties on books they authored and required for their classes. Not only is this practice unethical, it also limits students' exposure to diverse sources of knowledge.
It's good that the government is trying to prevent exploitation of students, but this is far from a done deal. Don't let this bill die in committee, Ohio Senate. Step up to protect students.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of the executive editors.
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New textbook buyback bill could protect students, must survive in the Ohio Senate
