Students Challenge Increasing Textbook Costs
RIP. A very simple funeral took place on the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College campus March 27. The deceased has been identified as the current pricing policies of college textbooks. The Associated Students Organization at LATTC joined with state advocate California Student Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) and the other LACCD colleges, to stage the mock funeral. The idea was to draw attention to a process which has led to the increasing costs of textbooks for community college students. In some cases, a single new textbook at Trade Tech can cost as much as $150, while tuition for a three-unit class is only $60.  LACCD Board of Trustee member Warren Furutani praised the students' effort to draw attention to the problem, saying it reminds him of the past efforts of social justice, like bus and food boycotts. LATTC President Chip Chapdelaine says the time has come for college administrators to recognize the problem facing students. LATTC student Ercely Hernandez says the word is going to the publishers that colleges have formed a coalition to fight the pricing structure and policies. She says the LACCD and CALPIRG will be assisting LATTC students in their campaign to reduce costs. She is convinced a combined effort by students, instructors and administrators will get the message to the textbook publishers that pricing has been unfair for too long. Several media outlets were present to report on the campaign kickoff. 070327