Culver signs bill to help students buy textbooks
By Dan Gearino, Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Friday, May 09, 2008
DES MOINES -- Gov. Chet Culver has signed a bill intended to make it easier for students to save money on textbooks.
The bill asks public and private colleges to publicize bar code information for textbooks. Students can use the information to shop around for the best prices.
Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, is an Iowa State University economics professor and he was a co-author of the bill. He said the bill gives students valuable information without interfering with colleges' ability to decide which books are used.
"I think we struck the right balance. I think it's a very good bill and students are going to benefit from it," he said.
Notably, the bill merely recommends that colleges post the text book information, as opposed to mandating it.
Rep. Bill Schickel, R-Mason City, was one of several co-sponsors who unsuccessfully fought for a mandate. He became interested in the topic when he saw the price tag for his daughter's text books.
"I didn't think the bill in its final version didn't go far enough," Schickel said.
Quirmbach said he wanted the less-restrictive wording to allow colleges to change the assigned text books, if needed. He said last-minute changes are needed sometimes, such as when new class sections are added, or as certain books suddenly become unavailable.
"I think you need to maintain some flexibility in the system," he said.
The bill asks public and private colleges to publicize bar code information for textbooks. Students can use the information to shop around for the best prices.
Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, is an Iowa State University economics professor and he was a co-author of the bill. He said the bill gives students valuable information without interfering with colleges' ability to decide which books are used.
"I think we struck the right balance. I think it's a very good bill and students are going to benefit from it," he said.
Notably, the bill merely recommends that colleges post the text book information, as opposed to mandating it.
Rep. Bill Schickel, R-Mason City, was one of several co-sponsors who unsuccessfully fought for a mandate. He became interested in the topic when he saw the price tag for his daughter's text books.
"I didn't think the bill in its final version didn't go far enough," Schickel said.
Quirmbach said he wanted the less-restrictive wording to allow colleges to change the assigned text books, if needed. He said last-minute changes are needed sometimes, such as when new class sections are added, or as certain books suddenly become unavailable.
"I think you need to maintain some flexibility in the system," he said.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
