Moans and groans from high prices at college bookstores across the nation may finally be soothed. Congressman David Wu, D-Ore., will hear testimony today from organizations and individuals who are working to make textbooks more affordable. The hearing will be at Portland State University, which is in Wu’s congressional district, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
In June 2006 Wu partnered with Representative Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., to ask the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance to conduct a one-year study. The study sought to investigate rising textbook prices, to determine the prices’ effect on students’ ability to afford a postsecondary education and to make recommendations.
The study commenced June 2006 and a report with the study’s information is due to Congress by May 2007. The hearing today in front of the Advisory Committee will be the third and final public hearing as part of this study.
In a similar study conducted by the General Accounting Office and reported in 2004, the GAO found that “although overall inflation has increased by 72% since 1986, textbook prices have nearly tripled, increasing by 186%, while tuition and fees have increased by 240%.”
The University’s Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office estimates the cost of books and supplies for the 2007-08 school year to be $1,050 for each student.
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Textbooks are one step closer to being affordable
Daily Emerald
April 12, 2007
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