Cosumnes River College (CRC) is moving forward with plans to close its campus bookstore, primarily due to the widespread adoption of the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) program among its students. Theresa Tena, the vice president of administrative services, highlighted that the Hawks Nest College Store is among the lowest performing bookstores in the Los Rios Community College District. The shift towards Open Educational Resources (OER) and ZTC materials has led to a significant decrease in demand for traditional textbooks.
The closure of CRC’s bookstore aligns with similar actions taken by Folsom Lake College, while other institutions within the district, such as American River College and Sacramento City College, will maintain their bookstores. Tena noted that the transition to ZTC materials has saved students approximately $13 million over three years, raising questions about the feasibility of sustaining a physical bookstore.
Academic Senate President and RTVF Professor Lauren Wagner expressed that the decision results from practical financial assessments rather than a disdain for books. Wagner mentioned that maintaining a bookstore is no longer a viable business model given the current utilization of educational resources.
As of this fall, 75% of CRC’s course sections have adopted ZTC, as reported on the OER Conversion Grant website. However, concerns remain among students regarding the shift to online resources, particularly for those who struggle to learn effectively from screens. Dennise Valdez, a 21-year-old director of legislative affairs on the student senate board, voiced her concerns about accessibility and different learning styles, emphasizing that the transition may disadvantage some students.
Jacob Burner, a 23-year-old employee at the bookstore, pointed out that many students primarily use the store for snacks and beverages rather than academic materials, indicating that the closure may impact students’ access to these conveniences, especially for those looking to avoid crowded areas like the cafeteria.
Valdez suggested repurposing the bookstore space for student clubs and organizations to ensure continued support for student activities. Tena confirmed that part of the bookstore’s space would be allocated for Health and Wellness initiatives and Hawk CARES, which indicates a shift towards promoting student welfare and support.
The administration is exploring options for students to access online ordering for textbooks and materials, either delivered to their homes or shipped to campus, thereby ensuring that resources remain available despite the physical closure. Kristie West, the public information officer, noted ongoing discussions about maintaining small on-campus conveniences such as snacks and potential merchandise pop-ups at the start of each semester.
Wagner encouraged students with concerns to engage with faculty and the student senate to communicate their needs effectively, underscoring the administration’s commitment to minimizing any negative impacts of this transition on the student experience. Overall, while the closure of the bookstore signifies a significant shift in resource management, there is hope that the transition will ultimately enhance student support services and accessibility.