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Show '! ; --- - TiiE UNNERSITY JOl)RNAL • OUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY · TUESDAY, J ARY 19, 1999 ~o1ITHIIECC&.1'>11JF~§ --==:::::::::~ ~ ~~ ~=-==.;=:.:.:..:..::.~~--;~----'-~ ~~~~~ ~- Buying books online a gamble SU feels Dixie push By VERO I A ARNER SE !OR STAFF WRITER Purchasing hook rarely leave tudents in good pirits, especially when line wrap through the entire book store and the heater is working a little too well. This week, however, th e typical complaints of overpricing and disorganization were exceeded as students who, because of crowding, had to wait in line to enter the Bookstore . Buying textbooks is one of the necessary evils of attending college. On our campus, the only option is to go to the book store or try and find a deal at the Book Den (located on Main Street). Now, thanks to the continuing expansion of the Internet, there is another option . Dozens of online bookstores sell textbooks, both new and used. There are al o everal websites which do not actually sell books, hut instead compare th<: prices of mo t onJine booksellers and then let consumers decide where they want to purchase them . At first glance, buying books online eems much less expen ive than buying them in person. Book prices on the Internet are often discounted five to 40 percent of the retai l price. However, the total price of your o rder u ·ually must include shipping fee , which will balance out-or sometimes exceed-the money aved on indjvidual hooks . Then there is availability . While even the local bookstore mu, t sometimes special order your textbook , the majority are u ·ually in stock . Online book ellers also have many books ready to ship immediately, but some may take longer-anywhere from a few days co a few weeks-to reach your door tep. The average shipping time is from one to seven days, depending on the shipping method you choo e. Without tho e handy tags hanging from the bookstore she lves which list the books required for a particular class, how can you look up your books online? Some websites have the Ii tings for many universities, but SUU is not one of them . That means you have two options: wait until you get a syllabus or go to the campus Bookstore and get the information there. Finding books online can be simple . All you need is the book's ISBN (International Standard Book Number). Without the ISBN, buying can be more difficult because you have to ensure you are getting the correct edition. It was surprising to find, while searching itles, that many different books have identical titles. If convenience is most important to you , or if you need your books immediately, buying books online probably isn't for you. You must be willing to put forth a Little more time and effort to shop online . Also, if you are one of the few college students without a c redit card, payment may be difficult. Overa ll , what is the best choice for rudents? Waiting in long lines or going on line? If price is your only concern , a combination of the .two i probably your best hel. If you like to get hookbuying out of the way as effortlessly a po sible, the campu bookstore might be the w ay to go. (continiiedfrompage 1) who work there may or may not be retained. Bennion said that deci ion will be made by Dixie College. "We have loyalty to our employees and want to provi de support for them. We hope that those thmgs will be provided [by Dixie] . We're counting on that happening, " he added. To compensate for the loss of funding of the center, Cox aid that the university is trying to increa ing enrollment. According to Cox, increased enrollment will result in increased funding because state funding is dependent on enrollment percentages of the previous year. There is a state funiling allocation per student, a sliding figure that is dependent on student status, he said. According to Cox, SUU experienced a slight enrollment decline tbis year. He sajd that enrollment figures are determined hy the numher of tudents enrolled after the third week of the term. Other implication associated with increased enrollment are increased clas ize , a change which ox said is "unfortunate" because it contradicts the university's mission to "provide tudent a per onalized learning environment. " Cox aid , "I wish I couJd ay that we 'll always hav mall classes. " He aid that the univer ity 's facilities are not able to handle large class izes, citing the largest traditional class size of 97 seats. Cox said that he can summarize the mood among administrators as "distres ." "Distre s at the potential for undue competition in a limited market and distress over the many charge leveled toward the institution ." "Charges," he added, "that are largely unfounded." Cox said that in contemplating this ituacion "some day feel pretty gray, but then l ee the students and they remind me of why we're here , for the students and their growth. We want to increa c our anention to serving student and decrease our attention toward territorial battle . We can 't lose sight of serving the student." ~we harbor no deep ill feelings toward others," Cox aid. "We long to ·ee the e is. ue euled quickly o we an do the work we know and love to do, and that' serving tudent.. n NOW RENTING -- 3BD 2 Bth 2 D I Bth 426 E. ichols Canyon Cedar City Ph: 856-1455, Fax 865-1427 All unit feature Central Air, Gas Heat, Dishwa hers, Garbage Dispo al , Covered Parking, Washer/Dryer, Cable, Extra torage. We aJ o have two pacious clubhou es with kitchens for special event . Keep in shape by u ing our Fitnes Center and in th ummer enjoy ou t outdoor swimming pool. For the children we have two playground areas. Stop by and let us show you our model unit and the features of affordable living at Kensington Apartment Communities Open mon-Fri 9 to 6 • Income limits apply r:--~ EOIJ~ IIOU9ING oPPot1Tu NITY WEAREABI.EIDRINfIDSIUDENTSWHOAREPART TIME, MARRIED OR HAVE ODIDREN ~ b- It's a New Year with New Management at the New and Improved T -BI RD CIRCL E featuring • • • • • New Homemade Desserts Weigh & Pay Sandwich Station Senior Turtles - Mexican food! Roadrunner Wraps Cat Yoar Own Slice of Homemade Bread |