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WIU proposes new textbook fee

College students will have a say on a new plan that could change the way they buy books. There are mixed feelings on the new fee across campus. Jude Kiah...

 

College students will have a say on a new plan that could change the way they buy books. There are mixed feelings on the new fee across campus.

Jude Kiah is trying to change the way Western Illinois University students buy textbooks.

"They're spending an enormous amount of time looking for them at the best price, but more than that struggling to pay for these books," said Kiah, director of the University Union Bookstore.

Kiah proposed a non-binding referendum. Instead of students paying out-of-pocket for their books, a fee would be added to their tuition bill so students could use financial aid to pay for them.

"20 percent of our students do not have books," said Kiah.

Kiah says on average students are paying $106 per class, so a full course-load adds up. Under his plan the cost of books would be based on the credit hours earned in the class. No fee would be greater than $20 per semester hour. The university is letting the students have a say, allowing them to vote on the referendum online.

"That's one of the reasons why people in underprivileged areas don't go to college because of book cost," said WIU student, Jermey Gordon.

While some say the new option would help them out, others are not sold on the idea.

"It adds a lot of added expenses to classes that don't need that many books. In my case when I'm student teaching, that's 12 semester hours that I just don't have a book at all and that will be $240 I have to pay out-of-pocket," said student Jon Naskrent.

This referendum would impact the Quad City campus as well. If it passes the program wouldn't start until fall 2016. Students have the opportunity to vote online Tuesday, May 5th from 8am to 8pm.

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