Barnes and Noble has notified the Auraria Higher Education Center that it intends to terminate its existing bookstore contract next Fall. MSU Denver and its campus partners are evaluating options and need your input.
No immediate impact
This move should not impact textbook and material needs or ordering processes for the fall semester. Faculty members should continue as usual, anticipating possible new procedures for the spring 2024 semester.
Background
Barnes and Noble (B&N) reports losing income on bookstore contracts across the country for many reasons, including increased use of Open Educational Resources. On the Auraria Campus, B&N revenues have dropped since spring 2021, with less than half of the faculty submitting book lists and other course materials and even fewer students making purchases through the B&N bookstore.
The way forward
Metropolitan State University of Denver plans to use this period to gather data and determine how to best serve students with the educational materials they require to succeed in their courses. Simultaneously, the University wants to ensure that faculty members have the flexibility to offer the books, supplemental course materials and Open Educational Resources that support teaching and learning in their classes.
Input needed
With the fall semester fast approaching, immediate options may be limited; however, MSU Denver and its Auraria Campus partners are committed to identifying an equitable long-term solution. The institutions will collectively explore cost, purchase and rental options, factoring in convenience and community input gathered via survey.
The survey should take just a few minutes to complete and will help campus leaders glean meaningful feedback from community members. Before taking the survey, please consider:
- As a faculty member: What factors are most important to you in selecting or assigning educational materials? Are there processes or vendors you prefer or have found successful?
- As an administrator: What factors are most important to you in ordering and purchasing educational materials? Are there processes or vendors you prefer or have found successful?
- As a general campus-community member: What goods and services should be available on campus? What unmet needs have you identified, and how could the bookstore improve the on-campus experience for all campus constituents?
Educational materials are essential to student success, so MSU Denver values your input as it aims to create the best possible outcome for students and employees. Please watch the Early Bird for survey results and next steps. For more information, please contact David Fine, J.D., general counsel.