Editorial | Hitting the books

Publishers have found some clever ways to squeeze money out of students. With unnecessary new editions or costly supplementary material, it seems that we're doomed to shell out more and more cash at the beginning of every semester.

And so far, the University doesn't seem to care much. While the factors behind rising book prices are complex, it's clear that educational institutions can play a role in helping keep those costs down.

The University System of Ohio, for example, offers monetary incentives to teachers who find innovative ways to lower the cost of learning materials for their students. Other schools even have textbook-rental programs or initiatives that help professors contribute to online course content.

Penn needs to get more involved.

At the very least, administrators must ensure that classes are only requiring students to buy new editions of books when absolutely necessary. The Provost's Office should also strongly encourage faculty to contribute to the growth of open-source text, either by using such material in class or by helping create it. Because open-source work can be used without express permission from the author, it can save students a significant amount of money.

We realize that the drive for cheaper textbooks can't come at the expense of quality. Professors should have the final say on which books, editions and supplementary materials are needed for their class.

But there are ways for schools to help lower textbook bills without compromising the quality of education. If Penn is serious about addressing this issue, it's time to explore some of those options.

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