An alternative to outsourcing: 'Bookstore of the Future' in new space

A counterproposal to outsourcing the bookstore has been offered and is causing some disagreement.

In the past 10 years, four plans to update the bookstore have been submitted but none of them have come to fruition. The most recent counterproposal was commissioned by bookstore manager Bob Spencer.

Spencer said he and Mike Lopez, a Michigan-based architect, wanted to submit a plan that would reflect students' desires.

This new proposal is one of many options, including outsourcing and low cost improvements of the current location, which will be reviewed by the outside consultant hired by the university.

Spencer is concerned that, even if the bookstore is outsourced, the bookstore will still face challenges with the bookstore building.

"The number one challenge we face everyday is space," Spencer said.

The current bookstore lacks a loading dock and the store's warehouse is located several blocks offsite, so new merchandise must be brought in by hand.

The counterproposal, designed by Lopez, includes a plan for remodeling the building and another plan for an entirely new 22,000 square-foot bookstore on 12th Avenue.

Lopez's plan—titled "The Store of the Future"—would include a convenience store, cosmetics counter, expanded clothing section, credit union, mailing center, an expanded selection of books and a coffee bar. Lopez projects this new building would cost between $5 million and $6 million.

Spencer said that for a plan like this one to reach completion, the administration must be involved and ready to be fully financially invested in the plan.

"People seem to think it's all about money," said Ron Smith, vice president for finance and business affairs. "It's about having a bookstore we're proud of."

Smith is unsure a new bookstore is entirely practical at this point in time. He said he is looking for cost-effective suggestions from Tom Byrne of Campus Bookstore Consulting to improve the current bookstore in the interim.

Part of the consultant's analysis process included conducting student focus groups, asking questions about customer satisfaction and determining how frequently students use the bookstore.

According to Clare Monahan, junior biology major and focus group participant, one of the major findings was that since the bookstore began offering textbook ISBN numbers online, students have been able to conduct price comparisons of used books and have found little difference on other Web sites.

According to the Bookstore Advisory Committee, used books were the only area where the bookstore saw an increase in sales last year. Nearly 7 percent more used books were sold last year than in previous years, despite seeing an 8 percent decrease in total business.

The focus group tried to help the consultant determine which students do or do not shop at the bookstore and offered comments on what they would like to see improved.

According to Monahan, a common concern was getting more natural light into the bookstore, which currently has no windows.

Students Against Outsourcing SU Bookstore, the student group whose activism in part led to the creation of the advisory committee, has gained more than 300 members on its Facebook page.

However, some students remain uninformed of the discussion.

Margaret Debelius, sophomore civil engineering major, told The Spectator while she was shopping in the bookstore that she hadn't heard about the Bookstore Advisory Committee or about the possibility of the bookstore being outsourced.

"I tend to buy most of my books online anyway," Debelius said.

Jenny Ling, a first year law student, had not heard about the discussion, either. But she said she was concerned that if an outside company like Barnes and Noble took control of the store, it would mean higher prices.

"They're trying to make ‘X' amount of profit, which might not be good for the students," Ling said.

Byrne might submit his analysis as early as this week, which would allow the Advisory Committee to make a decision by the end of fall quarter.

Frances can be reached at fdinger@su-spectator.com.