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Show Volume 62 Issue 1 2 Monday, September 13, 1999 w B R T A T U N V R T Y Signpost I Bookstores face surge of online competition By Tanna Barry news eclitor-The Signpost College bookstores across the nation face an emerging online competition that claims to have lower prices and more convenient service. This surge of competition breaks up the former monopoly that college bookstores seemed to possess and students are looking into the new market. Many Weber State University students said they haven't tried buying their books online, but some have considered it. "I didn't have time to use an online store this semester," said Lisa Bonasera, a senior at Weber State University. "But if you can avoid lines in the bookstore it's a good thing, except that you have to pay shipping." For most students, the attraction to buying books online is to save time and money. Students feel like the long lines in the bookstore and the searching for textbooks is time consuming and expensive. But a survey conducted by the National Association of College Stores revealed that out of 50 textbook titles the college bookstore had the lowest price for 17 books (38.6 percent) and the highest price for only nine (20.5 percent). The bookstore was in the middle for 16 books (36.4 percent) and had the same price for two. These price comparisons did not in-dude any shipping and handling charges. Bookstores also say that these online competitors don't really save time and money. "We're in education, they're in business," said Scott Mlckelson, assistant director of the bookstore. "Theyjust want the cream of the crop." Mickelson said that while the bookstore does have a business component, their main purpose is to help the student. 'The one thing online textbook sellers can pitch is the price," Mickelson said. 'They can't provide students with service." Mickelson said that the amount of money students can save is negligible, if that. 'You may or may not save any money on books," he said. But some online carriers are claiming that they can provide both service and savings to students through partnerships. "It allows students to buy textbooks from all those different colleges," said Terri Shank, a spokesperson for efoIleLcom. "Weworktogetherwtththese partnership textbook stores." These partnerships are supposed to offer students the chance to buy books online and have them either shipped to their house or to the bookstores. But many colleges in Utah don't think that this is a very good program or an advantage to students. There was talk last year about WSU bookstore forming a partnership with another company to save students time and money, but Mickelson said the bookstore decided against that. See Online page 3 WSU offers online bookstore services By Tanna Barry news editor-Tie Signpost Weber State University's bookstore will offer convenient one -stop shopping similar to online carriers spring semester. "We are expanding the one-stop shopping experience students already receive at the campus bookstore to an online experience," said Jennilyn Staffers, marketing coordinator for the bookstore. 'The new additions to the bookstore website will provide students the opportunity to order their textbooks, supplies and course packs needed for their classes at WSU. Stoffers said that this new service is not designed to compete with the online retailers. "The growth of the WSU Bookstore website, consisting of online listing of textbooks, and ability to purchase books online, is to enhance service to our customers," Stoffers said. These new online editions for the WSU Bookstore website are scheduled to be available to students spring semester. Many WSU students think that having these services available would be a good idea. "I came in here to the bookstore the first day of school and it was a madhouse," said Barbara Caswell, a WSU junior. Caswell like many other students felt that other online providers are too risky to try, but she would like the convenience of online shopping. Many students would prefer having something similar to the online providers in place through WSU. The bookstore's online services would be similar to other online services offered by car See Bookstore page 3 It ? ! ' . v f. is-- " 1 i ' V. ,. r ' Explore new heights WSU Army ROTC sponsored a rappelling clinic Thursday afternoon. Participants rappelled off the Marriott Allied Health building as part of their basic training program. See another picture on page 1 1. Community organizations provide rape, domestic violence training By Deanne W. Chaston asst. news editor-The Signpost In the first ever attempt to combine rape advocacy with domestic violence advocacy, Your Community Connection of Ogden along with Weber County Sheriffs Office will sponsor a free Victim Advocacy Training program. 'The new focus, to know about both rape and domestic violence, immeasurably helps all victims," said Roberta Dustin, the community resource center coordinator at the YCC. "It also make advocates better prepared to deal with the victims." Weber State University students majoring in social work, criminal justice, psychology, nursing and most social service fields may be able to use this five-day training as part of their required community service. Credit will be determined by department chairs and major advisors. The training will be held Sept. 13, 14, 23, 24 and 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the YCC on 2261 Adams Ave. The training is for those interested in becoming an advocate for victims of domestic violence and survivors of sexual assault. These two topics to be combined in the training have drastic results on society, said YCC Rape Recovery Program Man- "Any relatives, or those with any connection to a victim of sexual or domestic violence, become a victim in their own right' -Roberta Dustin, YCC community center coordinator ager Lark Muir.. "Both rape and domestic violence have an impact on neighbors, families and friends," Muir said. "No one is immune." Dustin, who has been affiliated with the YCC for over 10 years, agreed. "Any relatives, or those with any connection to a victim of sexual or domestic violence, become a victim in their own right," Dustin said. The victim advocacy training is geared toward the emotional and psychological impact on all these victims, said Dustin, who has been trained in the YCC's rape advocacy program. "Advocates are here to encourage and give moral support to victims," Dustin said. See Training page 1 1 Sports The Wilderness Recreation Center offers kayaking trips, equipment rental and more. See page 8 i- ' - a&e " Music diva Lauryn --rv Hill cleans up at the iXT'ji Y$&" MTV Music Video j Awards. f if Vv " 7 far' V ftp?- See page 7 I J l a&e WSU prepares itself for the debut of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet. See page 6 1 www.weber.edusignpost |