Saint Xavier has recently announced the campus bookstore’s upcoming partnership with Follett Higher Education Group (FHEG). The decision to partner with FHEG was made by the SXU Board of Directors because of the group’s potential to enhance the way the bookstore provides for students.
“We’re confident that Follett, who has demonstrated a strong ability to drive new programs, will positively impact our classrooms and the communities they serve,” stated Christine M. Wiseman, Saint Xavier University President.
Because of this, beginning on March 11, Follett will take over management of the bookstore.
The partnership with FHEG is expected to bring in over 8,000 publishers’ resources to the use of students at Saint Xavier, as well as access to Follett’s online resources at www.efollett.com. Through this website, students will also be able to make purchases online.
Students at SXU will also be able to rent textbooks through Follett’s Rent-A-Text program, a popular program that saves students an average of 50 percent on textbooks.
According to a press release in SXNews, the program is reported to have saved students throughout the nation more than $300 million. Through Follett, students will also be able to access more textbooks digitally.
Students are hopeful of the anticipated changes in terms of more affordable materials.
As of current, many SXU students choose not to purchase their books from the bookstore due to cost, one of them being Alexis Medina, a sophomore nursing major.
“I actually don’t buy my books from the bookstore because of the simple fact that they are expensive. I go to the library and scan my books or borrow books from others,” Medina said.
Many of the students who do purchase their books are unhappy with high prices of their required texts. “I feel like people would buy more books from the store if prices were cheaper instead of going to Amazon, Chegg and eBay,” said Medina.
Pat Stepp, a sophomore biology major, stated that, although he purchases his books from the bookstore, it does not sit well with his budget.
“I think that [this change] would be better for students, because a lot of people complain about how much books cost,” said Stepp after being informed of the coming changes.
Medina also showed excitement for the coming changes, as they would allow her new opportunities towards her major.
“I’m pretty excited for the new changes because I can now buy my own nursing books and keep them,” Medina stated. In a press release, Thomas Christopher, president of Follett Higher Education Group stated that FHEG looks forward to working with the university.
“We’re excited to be serving Saint Xavier University,” Christopher stated. He continued, “At Follett, we’re committed to driving student success and we look forward to working with Saint Xavier University to identify solutions that make course materials affordable and accessible for students.”
By: Nicole Rosales
Senior News Editor
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