A report released this month said textbook companies are needlessly raising the prices of textbooks.
"Publishing companies are profiting at the expense of students," said Nick Rugen, New Mexico PIRG campus organizer.
Last year, the State Public Interest Research Groups released a report documenting the increasing price of college textbooks.
Ripoff 101 surveyed popular textbooks at 10 public colleges and universities on the West Coast. Findings detailed what the group called gimmicks used by publishers to artificially inflate the cost of textbooks in a study released in January 2004.
Textbook prices are increasing at more than four times the inflation rate for all finished goods, according to the second edition of the report.
"I think it sucks," said Liz Lucero, a psychology major. "These companies are just ripping students off for no reason."
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Lucero said she spent close to $500 on textbooks this semester.
"It's just so ridiculous," she said. "I mean that's two of my paychecks down the drain."
The report also detailed international pricing differences. The average textbook surveyed costs 20 percent more in the United States than it does in the United Kingdom, Rugen said.
"These are the exact same books," he said.
According to the report, the most widely purchased textbooks on college campuses have new editions published every three years on average.
Lucero said while she doesn't blame the University, she is still frustrated she can't use her older sister's textbooks because newer editions of the same books are required.
Rugen said the act of bundling or shrink-wrapping texts with additional educational materials contributes to the increased cost of textbooks.
"Companies frequently come out with new editions or packages that include workbooks and CD-ROMs," he said. "And of the new editions, 42 percent are more expensive than a used copy of the previous edition."
Carrie Mitchell, Book Division Manager for UNM's Bookstore, said she'd like to see fewer new edition textbooks come out. If the subject matter doesn't require the latest information, newer versions cost more money but add little value, she said.
Rugen said although publishing companies claim the group's statistics are skewed, a growing number of University faculty agree with the findings.
More than 75 percent of the faculty surveyed in the report said they found new editions justified only half the time or less, Rugen said.
If not for discounted used copies, Lucero said her semester total would have been closer to $600.
"The discount helps a little, but there aren't many used copies out there," she said.
University students can no longer rely on the option of purchasing cheaper used textbooks, Rugen said.
He said the group would like to lead more student-organized initiatives, such as an end-of-semester book swap, but inadequate funding has left the group with few options.
"We're in the process of meeting with individuals who may have influence over funding," he said. "As of right now, the best thing to do is become more aware and involved on campus."
Mitchell said she advises students to ask professors about the likelihood of their textbooks being used again. The earlier instructors get information to the bookstore, the earlier the buyback process can begin, she said.
"If we all took action, we could get costs down to reasonable prices," Lucero said.
