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Show Ophumt Textbook prices sting, but reasons are varied For the average college student, a young man or woman at the bottom of the economic ladder, shelling out money for large textbooks with larger prices can be a traumatic experience. It should be no surprise, then, that students who have just had their wallets deflated at the bookstore complain bitterly. Some of those complaints may be justified, but a few stem from factors the bookstore has little or no control over. One of those factors, ironically, is student complacency and apathy. A student could save himself hundreds of dollars during his college career if he were to shop the student book exchange. The exchange offers students used textbooks often for less than they cost elsewhere. It also helps students sell their used textbooks for more than they could get at bookstore-sponsoreBut for some reason, not many students have taken advantage of this excellent opportunity. The exchange sold about 100 books last month, but if students were more involved that number could be much higher. to frequent Simply put; it is in the students own the student book exchange. Another factor that must be considered is the variety of prices charged for identical used textbooks sold in the bookstore. This is simply a case of the customers need to be on his toes. The bookstore buys used textbooks from different suppliers for different prices, so it isnt unlikely to see several different prices in the same stack of books. The bookstore cant be blamed for this even though it would be nice if they would hang a sign alerting students to the pricing discrepancies because the prices on the used books reflect what they cost the bookstore. No one in his right mind would buy the first used car he came across hed shop around a little first. So, too, used textbook customers should check every book in the stack to make sure they get the best possible deal. Finally, students should make more noise about teachers who order more books than are absolutely necessary. The Thunderbird understands that many courses, in order to fully and effectively help the student grasp the subject, require the student to buy several textbooks, some of which cost a lot of money. And most faculty members will say that the only one who can determine the number of textbooks required is the instructor. That may be true, but every student has horror stories about textbooks required for a class and never used in it. Frankly, students dont usually rebel at buying books that will help them gain knowledge, but when they buy a book that is never used in class their blood boils, and rightly so. Currently there is no effective mechanism to hold teachers responsible for the books they require students to buy. Our suggestion is that individual departments, on their own and without outside pressure, take steps to insure that faculty members dont abuse their right to require textbooks. It is obvious that textbooks take a bite out of the average students budget, but if the average student really cares, he should say something about it. Whispered complaints do no good at all. buy-back- d s. self-intere- st Che Chunderbird HI VOLUME 79, NUMBER Editor Lynn Nolan Managing Editor Doug Christensen Copy Editor Paul Hussolbee Photo Editor Tamara Rumbaugh Sports Editor Stewart Smith Entertainment Editor Lanai Greenhalgh Ml 'I IPK 13 Senior Staff Writer Ralph Schriock Assistant to the Editors Jim Knowlton Production Manager Tracy Girdwood Advertising Manager Laura Wearing Assistant Manager Brian Goettlich Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thunderbird is published each Monday of the academic year by and for the stude. bodv of Southern Utah State College. The views and opinions expressed in The ThumcWirJ are the opinions of the publications individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the institution, faculty, staff or student Kdy in general. The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thunderbird as a single entity. Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name, student number (if from a student) and phone number. Only the name will be printed. Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves the right to edit letters for length and to preclude libel. Letters must he submitted by niHui Friday for inclusion in the following week's edition. The Thundeibird- editorial and advertising offices at 2 West 20 0 South, Cedar City, UT 84720. Mail at SUSC Box 184, Cedar City, UT 84720 (801) 778. A little vocal support Stewart D. Smith is sports editor for The Thunderbird. He is a senior majoring in communications and French. As I watched the seemingly endless parade of sports programming during the holiday vacation I was stricken with rare feelings of nostalgia. I watched with amazement miracle victories, Hail and half court game winning Mary touchdown-passeshots at the buzzer. However, the football and basketball games themselves had little to do with my nostalgia. It was the fans that captured my fascination. Thousands of wild-eyespectators screaming to the point of hysteria, verbally and physically approaching the precarious edge of fanaticism. I laughed at the fans who had their faces painted with their schools or teams letters and colors. I smiled at the obnoxious you, you, yous that fans screamed at opponents. Without question some of their actions and antics appeared rude and distasteful. Most, arguably, were done simply in fun and good humor. They took me back to War Memorial Fieldhouse of several years ago when SUSC fans, and not just students mind you, painted their own faces and screamed the you, you, yous at Thunderbird opponents. Sadly, I believe, due to unknown reasons, those days have disappeared. Gone is the Bleacher Creature, the fan with the basketball head, who incited fan support as well as laughter: Gone is the toilet seat although without much remorse it was at the very least a symbol of fan unity. Gone are the days when members of the SUSC baseball and football teams were encouraged to attend basketball games and make noise for their comrades of the court. Or are they? They certainly shouldnt be. Fans across the nation still outrageously, and yes, heroically, paint their faces d d wouldnt hurt and yell at officials and opponents. Stadiums and arenas everywhere are filled with fans who realize that an athletic event differs greatly from an opera or drama. As a witness to a thrilling Thunderbird basketball victory last week I was greatly dismayed by the lack of verbal fan support. As the air hung thick with the intensity and electricity of a well played game, many and silent, while SUSC fans simply sat, stone-facea handful of others stood, shocked and shouting at the thrill of winning. Ironically, when the championship trophy was presented to the two Thunderbird team captains it was presented to them while they faced most of those who had basked in tranquility and mild manners. Appropriately, after thev had received the trophy, d Its all right to yell, its all right to boo, and yes, its even all right to paint your face. they turned and faced those who had so loudly and courageously supported them. Pointing to them, the captains acknowledged their part in the teams victory. Where you sit has nothing to do with the team winning, but what you do while you sit there has a great effect. Ask any of the Thunderbird, teams what its like to go on the road in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The fans that fill our opponents bleachers unite by the score in heckling and jeering SUSC athletes. The point Im attempting to make is that its all right to yell, its all right to boo, and yes, its even all right to paint your face. Good behavior and class are not the issue and not in jeopardy by the above; winning is. Fans of Southern Utah State College athletics should learn this kind of support. They, themselves, as well as the teams, will greatly benefit. Maybe then my strange sense of nostalgia will pass. |