Some students say they have had to work extra hours to afford required textbooks at school, while others have the consideration of professors to be able to participate in class.
Areesha Waseem, a sophomore and psychology major at Central Connecticut State University, said textbooks for psychology classes range in prices that she could only afford with the scholarships she earned.
Ray Monaccio, senior and international studies major at CCSU, tries to save her money like most students when it comes to purchasing textbooks.
“I don’t buy textbooks until it’s do or die. ‘If you don’t have this textbook, you will fail,’” Monaccio said.
Associate Professor in the English Department, Brian Folker, said he is provided by publishers the textbook he can require for his courses and does more research to determine whether to make them required.
Folker said he understands how expensive textbooks can be and helps as effectively as possible, choosing less expensive alternatives and encouraging students to purchase cheaper used copies.
“I know there have been a couple of occasions when I have investigated what students were paying for a textbook,” Folker said. “I’ve been kind of shocked at how expensive it is.”
With the time Monaccio spends at school, she said food does not become affordable when also reserving money for textbooks and tuition.
To afford food and still afford textbooks and tuition, Monaccio said, it results in working more hours. She said some cooperative professors will help by copying the assigned readings in the textbook to email to students who may be navigating textbook prices.
“They’re [Professors] pretty understanding in textbooks,” Monaccio said.
Austin King, a junior at CCSU and Computer Science major, said professors’ consideration helps with required textbooks in computer science.
“All the professors are considerate. Like, just one example is one of them posting the reading on blackboard,” King said.
Considering how expensive textbooks can be, Folker said students selling them at the end of the semester is a minor concern, as it could hinder their engagement with the text, which is crucial for students to understand their courses.
“I know whenever I’m processing a text, I’ve really got to have a pencil in my hand, and I need to be marking the text up,” Folker said. “I wonder about students being reluctant to do that.”
Mentzer said students can access textbook assistance through the library, where they can check out the textbook they need and read it there or ask professors for spare or older editions.
Mentzer, chair and professor of the English Department, said departments may provide scholarships to aid students in purchasing textbooks. Mentzer said there is a scholarship for English majors called “The English Major Endowed Book Scholarship.” This scholarship was donated by a retired professor, Mary Anne Nunn. With this scholarship, English majors can purchase at least one of the required literature textbooks for their course.
Link to the English Major Endowed Book Scholarship:
https://ccsu.networkforgood.com/causes/19912-english-majors-endowed-book-scholarship
