Classes at Butler University have been in session for a week, and some students still have one thing on their minds: getting textbooks.
The bookstore has given students stress stemming from not having books in stock, accidentally canceling orders or ordering the wrong books.
Not only did many students get their books at the same time, but the bookstore was also faced with serving the largest freshman class. These two factors combined have kept the bookstore busy for the beginning of the school year.
What many are not seeing, however, is the bookstore’s effort to fix any miscommunications students are being faced with.
“They did a great job of helping me return the books that my professor said we didn’t need,” sophomore Abbie Liebl said.
Liebl said half of her books for a class were optional, but the bookstore never notified her about this. The bookstore gave her a full refund after being told by her professor she didn’t need them.
Another issue students are facing is books being out of stock, even when they were ordered in advance. Sophomore Rithvi Melanta ordered a book a week before school started so she would have it in time for class.
“I got a confirmation saying it was in, so I went to the bookstore on the first day, and it wasn’t in stock,” Melanta said. “I went there the next day, and it still hadn’t come in.”
The bookstore, however, made sure to notify Melanta’s professor that the books hadn’t come in to ensure students wouldn’t fall behind on homework.
Another case happened with EN-101, a writing tutorial course. There are four sections of this class, all taught by different professors. Each section uses a different textbook.
“One book was ordered for all four sections,” said Jim Hanna, an EN-101 adjunct professor. “It was a hassle for students because they ended up paying more, but the bookstore overnighted the correct books and worked well with the department head to fix the problem.”
College of Communication adjunct professor Glenn Carlstrand had a similar problem in which there was a mistake with what book was ordered for a sign language course.
“The bookstore was very cooperative in getting (the problem) corrected,” Carlstrand said. “I have no problem with them, and I don’t want to complain. They were very nice about it.”
Melanie Albaum, a sophomore taking this course, said that the bookstore told her to get a level-two textbook when, in actuality, the class called for level three.
“All of our homework is from the book, and since it hasn’t come in yet, I can’t start my work,” Albaum said. “I understand, though, because the bookstore is doing the best they can.”
Carlstrand said the problem was quickly corrected, and the students should have the right book this week.
Bookstore employees and managers were asked to comment; however, none responded in time for this issue.
