California Student Public Interest Research Group released a report on Jan. 29 examining the detrimental cost college students incur when buying course textbooks. On average, students pay nearly $900 per year on books, CalPIRG said.

“”Rip-off 101: How the Current Practices of the Textbook Industry Drive Up the Cost of College Textbooks”” provides insight to the struggle to maintain affordability aside from rising fees while acknowledging support from the student, faculty and administration communities. The report found that instructors were often unaware of the inflated costs of assigned materials, that supplemental items in textbook bundles such as CD-ROMs and workbooks go largely unused, and that additional pertinent content was often lacking from “”updated”” editions.

Furthermore, U.S. customers pay significantly more than they would for the same book abroad. American students are getting a raw deal from the booksellers.

CalPIRG’s students should be applauded for taking the initiative to educate their peers and professors about the necessity for real reform. Also, the efforts put forth to innovate the market with online sites such as http://www.campusbookswap.com are a progressive step to encourage students to work within their own communities to save money on books.

However, professors are also encouraged to contribute. By informing students whether or not a book’s new edition is necessary, shopping printers to find the company with most affordable readers and weighing in to their departments and the Academic Senate about the need to keep book prices level, faculty members can help keep college affordable for students who are already facing soaring student fees.

extbook costs have increased at the University of California by 24 percent since 1996-97. Students should seek out alternatives like a campus book swap in order to save money on purchases and most likely earn more on re-selling books.