Student government booklending program expanded
By Daily Bruin Staff
April 4, 1996 9:00 p.m.
Friday, April 5, 1996
Association seeks
to make project
permanent serviceBy Brooke Olson
Daily Bruin Staff
Students have another chance to receive free textbooks this
quarter as the student government expands its booklending
program.
Last quarter, the council organized the Students First!
Booklending Program, which doubled the number of course textbooks
available in Towell Library, and loaned books to students free of
charge.
"The program targets students who need, but perhaps haven’t
received, financial aid," said Janet Lee, the booklending program
director.
Currently, the program is in effect for a select group of
general education classes, including Statistics 50, Life Sciences 2
and Math 3B. The undergraduate government purchased the textbooks
from the Associated Students’ bookstore.
"I think the program is wonderful," said Susan Scowell, a
second-year psychology student who plans to apply for a Geography 5
textbook. "I personally feel it’s ridiculous to spend $80 or so
dollars for a book that will only be used for 10 weeks."
The program began last quarter, when the student government
offered textbooks to four general education classes.
"We had a lot of positive response from the students who did
receive the books," said York Chang, the undergraduate president.
He added that all the books which had been loaned out were returned
in good condition.
The undergraduate council targets general education classes,
whose enrollment exceeds 100 students. In addition, the textbooks
purchased must be able to be used for several quarters.
"We are using the math and biology books that we purchased last
quarter, and we would like to continue this trend as long we
possibly can," Lee said.
To date, the undergraduate government has spent $6,000 on books
alone this quarter, Lee said. The money was taken from the surplus
which accumulated from the 1994-1995 undergraduate council.
"The council is allowed to use the surplus from the previous
year’s council to fund any programs it deems necessary," Chang
said.
About 250 students would receive books this quarter. Applicants
for the textbooks must demonstrate that they will directly benefit
from the booklending program. They are given points for financial
need, and special consideration is given to those who hold
jobs.
"This program gives priority to people who work because it
demonstrates to us that these people are struggling to pay their
bills," Lee said.
Students who qualify for the program must place a fully
refundable deposit on the book, and sign a contract promising to
return the text in good condition.
The student council would like to apply for permanent funding
from the student fee advisory committee to ensure the program is
continued throughout the years.
"We want to make this program permanent and perhaps expand on it
so that students will continually benefit from it," Chang said.
Booklending Committee members said that they would also like to
expand the nature of the program to include lecture notes and other
materials needed by students for classes.
