MASSPIRG & BCC hold forum on textbook prices
Pittsfield — MASSPIRG students and the student government at Berkshire Community College (BCC) held a forum on Tuesday to release a new report on the impact of high textbook prices and to bring awareness to free open textbooks. The report, titled “Covering the Cost,” is based on a nationwide survey of nearly 5,000 students.
The cost of a college textbook has increased by 73% since 2006 and individual textbooks often cost over $200. The report demonstrates how high textbook prices can cause unnecessary financial hardship to students, negatively impact their academic decisions, and have high opportunity costs. Openly licensed textbooks, in direct contrast to traditional publishers, are available for free online, are free to download, and are affordable in print.
“Having the option to use open textbooks at BCC gives students the opportunity to save money, afford more classes and lower their student loans” said Alfredo Cruz, BCC’s Student Government President. “BCC should invest in programs that encourage professors to adapt and create their own open textbooks as some other colleges in the state have already done.”
One of the forum’s speakers was Richard Felver, Director of BCC’s Jonathan Edwards Library. “We are excited to see the increased attention and momentum being generated by MASSPIRG’s advocacy for open textbooks,” Felver said. “Libraries, of course, have a long history of making resources freely available to everyone and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do here at BCC”.
BCC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Fran Feinerman met with Felver and MASSPIRG last year and agreed that the college should move toward an open textbook pilot program similar to the UMass Amherst program that provides grants to faculty who wish to adapt or write an open book or their courses. A plan for what that program will look like at BCC has yet to be released.
–E.E.
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February Coffee and Conversation with Senator Downing
Dalton — State Senator Benjamin B. Downing’s (D-Pittsfield) next Coffee and Conversation will be held at Dalton Town Hall on Monday, February 22, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In order to be accessible to all his constituents no matter where they live, Senator Downing hosts monthly Coffee & Conversation open forums in rotating towns across his Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden district.
All are welcome to join Senator Downing and his district staff during the events to pose a question, submit a comment, or pitch an idea regarding state government. Downing provides free coffee and refreshments for those who attend.
