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Area Improvements as a result of Assessment Day data:
** Updated from Assessment Day 2008
Bookstore
Assessment Day 2008
Concerns:
The WSU Bookstore received an 85% approval or satisfaction rating from a total of 1690 students who responded to that question.
Dissatisfaction cited by the 255 students who responded result from:
44% had issues with the WSU Bookstore policies.
24% with Bookstore hours.
22% with product range.
14%/6% with helpfulness of staff/facilities.
Dispite some written comments of dissatisfaction with the textbook reservation program, the overall assessment results show that 54% of the 1878 students indicated they participated in the program and 45% indicated that they would participate again.
Only 46% of 1860 students realize that the profits generated by the WSU Bookstore are returned to the University for student scholarships and University programs.
Improvements:
The WSU Bookstore will always continue to work toward cost effective means for students to obtain academic material. We realize probably better than most how much textbook material has increased. We continue to try to work with faculty to obtain textbook requisitions in a more timely fashion to enable us to buy back more texts from students and obtain more used material from outside sources.
We will continue to inform students of the options available to them to obtain and disburse of text material. Information material on textbook subjects such as the cost, buy back, and guides for purchasing are displayed and can be obtained at the WSU Bookstore customer service area.
Dissatisfaction:
- Policies: We are assuming the return and book loan policies are the issues noted. The return policy is short but it is in line with the schedule to drop or add classes. By this time students should know what classes they are in and therefore know what material they require. We are inquiring with the business office as to what can be done to extend the book loan. The dates for the loan are established to allow balances to be posted before financial aid arrives.
- The Bookstore has expanded hours during the beginning of each semester and is open during major events on campus. We are currently working to expand regular hours to two Saturdays a month. This involves union contacts and recruiting employees to change work hours.
- Product range is difficult to determine because everyone is looking for something unique to them. If students have a special need we request that they voice that need and we will do our best to accommodate them.
- The WSU Bookstore staff is continually instructed that it is their responsibiltiy to provide helpful and friendly customer service. Training sessions are available to staff and we will continue to mandate training. We are hoping that dissatisfaction documented is from actually actions of the staff and not dissatisfaction from hearing information that was not to the students favor. All students are encouraged to contact the Bookstore manager when they beleive they have received rude treatment.
We continue to make changes to our textbook reservation program. Besides box distribution improvements we are working hard to encourage faculty to submit earlier requisitions so that all textbooks will be in on time for distribution during the textbook reservation process.
We will continue to try to make contact with both students and faculty to inform them of the services and goals of providing timely and cost efficient academic materials to Winona State students.
Assessment Day 2007
Concerns:
The price of textbooks continues to be an issue with students. **This
past year the Minnesota legislature has also taken issue with the rising
cost of textbooks in the educational environment.**
Improvements:
The WSU Bookstore has worked with state representatives and major participates
of the new proposed "Minnesota State Textbook Legislation"
to assist in finding solutions to the rising cost of textbooks. The
legislation centers around timely acquisition of course material to
ensure the opportunity for students and college stores to research cost
and availablity of material. Winona State Bookstore hosted a conference
of college bookstores to discuss and investigate ways to expand and
comply with the proposed textbook legislation.
The WSU Bookstore continues to work with faculty to receive textbook
requests in a timely fashion to ensure us the ability to research sources
for used / less costly material. This is one of the first steps to enable
us to have available the correct and less costly material for students.
Last minute orders prohibit us the time and resouces to research for
options. We continue to work with used distribution centers and book
representatives for required material and search for alternative distributors
which issue discounts.
Assessment Day 2006
Concerns:
The price of textbooks was the major complaint connected with the responses
about the bookstore.
Improvements:
The solution to this issue is out of the hands of textbook retailers.
At the WSU Bookstore we continue to spend the energy and time to resource
as many used distributors as possible. Used texts are less expensive
and have the same buy back value as new. The Bookstore is also on a
committee with the student senate and faculty members researching the
topic of textbook pricing.
We encourage students to become more informed on the details of textbook
pricing by reading the pamphlet available at the customer service areas
of the WSU Bookstore entitled "Why Do My Textbooks Cost So Much?"
Assessment Day 2004
Concerns:
The price of textbooks was the major complaint connected with the responses
about the bookstore.
Improvements:
I am sorry to say that the price of textbooks is directly out of our
control. Textbooks are marked at a 20-23% margin from the cost. In the
retail environment this is a low margin. To help further explain about
the cost of textbooks the Bookstore distributed a pamphlet published
by the National Association of College Stores titled "Why do my
textbooks cost so much?!" during fall rush. Hopefully this pamphlet
will give the students some insight on the cost of textbooks. We also
have a supply of this publication at the registers for students to pick
up at any time.
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