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April 10, 2000
April 15 is not only the deadline for tax returns. At Montclair State, it's also the deadline for textbook adoptions for the fall semester. And as much as Uncle Sam appreciates timely returns, students are just as appreciative to faculty who meet the textbook adoption deadline.
"Whether students can sell their books back to the Bookstore, and at what price, is determined by whether the books have been adopted for use the following semester," said Richard Ammerman, general manager of the University Bookstore.
If the text has been adopted, students will receive 50 percent of the original price. If not, the student will receive the price in the national wholesale directory, which ranges from zero to 30 percent. "It's disappointing when a student receives little or nothing for a text but then sees it in the Bookstore the next semester only to find that a faculty member ordered it late," Ammerman said, noting that spring semester buybacks begin May 1. "With the rising cost of textbooks‹which can cost from $300-$500 a semester‹students really appreciate the opportunity to recoup some of the cost, especially for books from classes outside their major."
The April 15 deadline gives Ammerman time to shop the used book market to ensure a sufficient number of used books are available for students. "There is a finite quantity of used books available nationally and stores that shop late get fewer used books or none at all," he said. The Bookstore also is required to have books available two weeks prior to the opening of the semester, which requires ordering, receiving, pricing and shelving approximately 100,000 books. "This takes time," Ammerman explained. "Especially if a book is out of print or stock, lead time is required for the faculty member to make another selection."
Faculty have the option of returning adoptions through paper mail or through the electronic requisition form available off the University Bookstore's Web site at www.montclair.bkstr.com.
Individual faculty members and departments who have their book orders in by the April 15 deadline will be entered into a drawing for a credit to the University Bookstore‹$100 to the winning faculty member; $500 to the winning department. Winners will be notified by April 17.