By Samantha Edwards
A month into the fall semester, some Ryerson students are still without textbooks. And with midterms fast approaching, some people have been struggling to keep up.
The Ryerson Bookstore ordered enough books for only 60 per cent of professor Jenny Carson’s Revolution to Reconstruction class. With 190 people enrolled in the class and only 110 books, 80 students were left without.
“I feel sick,” said Carson. “Students should be able to get their textbook in a timely manner.”
Although some students were able to get the text from the Used Book Room or from former students, at least 15 people in the class are bookless.
Carson said the text is extremely important to the class as the lecture draws directly from it. And with a 20 per cent midterm scheduled for mid October, she says the students will need it as soon as possible.
Kelly Abraham, manager of the campus Bookstore, said when ordering textbooks, the buyers review statistical information such as past sales and student enrollment numbers. He said when the same book has been used in past years, fewer books may be ordered because of the resale market.
However, according to Carson, the Bookstore should always order textbooks for at least 70 per cent of the class, despite statistics from the previous year.
Abraham said when the Bookstore is informed of shortages, they will make any adjustments required. But “increased orders, placed at a later date, may not make it onto the shelves on time.”
Carson placed an additional order with the bookstore, and hopes the books will arrive this week.
“I feel very bad for the students, I’m empathetic towards them and hope the textbooks come in soon.”
Carson has left a copy of the text outside of her office for students to read and photocopy the required chapters.
However, this means those students without the textbook have had to shell out around $20 to photocopy close to 200 pages so far this year.
Lauren Youssiem, a first-year fashion student, still doesn’t have her art history textbook.
The book is an essential part of the class said Youssiem. “Most of the art we talk about refers back to the textbook.”
The mandatory text isn’t carried by the bookstore. Students have to trek to David Mirvish Books near Bloor and Bathurst streets to get a copy.
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