Expensive Books At University Wisconsin Milwaukee - Assignment Example

April 2, Robert Marini Mohammed Alsheaibi EXPENESIVE BOOKS AT UWM The aim of this report is to provide possible solutions and recommendations that the university administration can put in place in coming up with affordable books at the university. The main library in the university is known as Gold Meir Library named after Golda Meir, the fourth Prime minister of Israel. The library, which is 379,000 sq feet, has 5.2 million cataloged items. Many of these items are accessible electronically through electronic reserves, searchable databases, indexes and web-based online catalogs. The items in the library include; maps, atlases, books, journals, pamphlets, photographs, slides, Land- sat images and digital spatial data. The library was first constructed in the year 1967 and in the year 1974, it was expanded with an additional wing, named the East Wing. The textbooks offered at the university are in excess, but the students are unable to make maximum use of them since some of them cannot afford them, as the books are expensive. Fig 1: the interior of Gold Meir Library Current Situation The current situation in the university is that there are many items in the library but the students find them beyond their reach due to their expensive nature. The affordability of the textbook is beyond the reach of many students and the situation is accelerated by the current economic inflation. This means that learning is jeopardized and improvement of education in the school will lag behind. The Price of Books The price of books and supplies in the university is $1000. This contributes to a larger part of the school fee making it the costly factor in the student’s life. For resident students the total cost for one academic year totals up to $18775 whereas a non-resident student pays up to $28504. From this figure, tuition for resident students totals up to $8091 and tuition fee for nonresident student totals up to $17820. This shows how the high costs of the books affect the student’s fee, which may be costly to some and will be a great hindrance to effective learning. Estimates to the Number of Students to Buy Books The number of students in a particular institution is important in establishing the value of books to be bought. It also is important in estimating the limit to which students maybe aided to enable them afford the books. The books should be adequate to facilitate each student to be in reach of the books anytime they are required to use them. Evaluation of Price against Potential Students to Buy Books The prices of books strongly depend on the number of students willing and able to buy the books. As dictated by the forces of demand and supply, the prices of books would increase tremendously if the number of students willing and able to buy the books would increase. However, the situation is not as speculated as the number of students in a position to purchase the books does not escalate. Prices of books at UWM are low to act as an incentive to students to buy the books and improve their academic performances. Figure 2: UWM System Statistics Amount of Information Gained Students have been unable to cope up with the rapid changes of knowledge as more and more advanced books are produced. The high cost of the books limits them from updating their knowledge. This affects the amount of information gained, as most of them are unable to update their knowledge. With the university academic ranking and by the virtue that the university is more of a research institute, this is feared to cause a drop in academics. Passing of Exams The current book prices has also led to difficulties in teaching as some fields can perform well with old knowledge but others require to update their materials most often. This has made it harder for the lecturers to deliver their lessons adequately. In addition, students are limited on the research materials they are going to use and therefore are not able to pass well in their exams. This kills the morale of the students. Hindrance to Invention and Innovation As a leading institute in research, the lack of cheap books has led to decline in invention and innovation. This is because the students are unable to keep up with the rising cost of upgraded books and those that comply with the dynamic world. This has created a hindrance to the innovations taking place. Reduced Motivation on Learning The students are discouraged by the high cost of books and therefore lack the incentive of learning. In addition, the decline in the exam results they post has also discouraged them from pursuing harder and taking that extra mile in education. The lecturers also feel unable to deliver as they as they would wish as they lack adequate and upgraded materials to teach. This has discouraged learning in the institution. Recommendations Online Library Accessible to all Students A policy should be set up which is more flexible and is able to change with the changing times. The policy should be able to comply and keep abreast with technological changes. In addition, the dynamic fields of knowledge and content areas. This may involve making accessible advancement in technology by the school and the library and making books accessible in the online library. This will make accessibility of the books by many students at the same time easier. Also this will ease the process of updating knowledge, as many costs of printing and reprinting will be evaded so it will be cost effective. In addition, space in the library will be saved as online materials can be reached from anywhere and be adequately referenced. Cost Sharing between UWM and the Students The cost sharing will save both the students and the university the much costs of purchasing the books. This will be done through aiding programs mainly given to students to offload them their tuition fee. Part of this money will be used to purchase and upgrade books. In addition, the federal government, with the advice of the University Management board, is taking some steps to reprieve the students on the burden of purchasing textbooks and course materials. This is by establishing the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (Krizan, 32). In addition, the government with the help of the UWM management is able to negotiate with the publishers of the books so that the books are sold at a price students can afford or the university can be able to subsidize to the students. Provision of Subsidies by the State Government The government also has a role to play by providing aids to students. These aids will go a long way in helping the students be able to afford the high cost of books. It also has the mandate of regulating publishers from imposing high costs on the books. This will enable students be able to afford the books. Provision of Hiring Books at a Cheaper Rate The UWM has implemented activities to help in availing of books at a cheaper cost. For example, the university has introduced the textbook rental program which will make students be able to borrow the books. Conclusion Availability of good and affordable books is not only a concern for the university administration but also the government. Each year students use a lot of money in the purchase of learning resources. The money is not always available and they become discouraged in their quest for learning. The tutors are also unable to effectively deliver content, as they are not at par with the students. Bits upon every stakeholder in their various capacities to make sure books are very affordable to the students (Informal Report of UNESCO, 86). The government has a role in ensuring students can afford the books at a subsidized price from the publishers, the UWM management also has a role in helping the transformation to a technological era of study that makes books accessible to all and the students have a role of ensuring they share the books well and effectively. Works Cited Krizan, A C. Business Communication. Australia: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2011. Print. Informal Report of the United States Delegation to the Seventh Session of the General Conference of UNESCO, November 12-December 11, 2012, Paris, France. Washington, DC: s.n, 2012. Print. Read More