The possibility of the cost of Textbook Rental rising significantly should scare all of student. It certainly affects all of us. and will make a major dent in everyone’s pockets if any price changes are approved.

The Student Senate is concerned enough to unanmiously pass a resolution opposing the recommended policy changes, the most controversial of which would enable professors to require supplemental textbooks for their classes. These supplemental books could add up to hundreds of dollars more for textbooks per semester.

Another possible change will come in the way of late fines for textbooks that are rented through Textbook Rental Service. The late charge, which is currently $2 per book, plus 25 cents extra per day late, will rise to $10 per late book, with a 50 percent reduction possible if the books are returned within the first five working days after the due date.

Katie Cox, outgoing Student Body President saud the supplemental books are the biggest issue.

“There has been a lot of animosity between the students and faculty overTextbook Rental,” she said. “I saw these changes as a step in the wrong direction.”

Textbook Rental is one of Eastern’s greatest drawing points. Adding these changes would nearly defeat the purpose of Textbook Rental, as students would still be required to purchase textbooks. Why would Eastern cut off this extraordinarily popular service?

Eastern President Carol Surles recently spoke to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, touting the fact that Eastern’s Textbook Rental Service saves students an average of $500 per year.

Currently, students pay $93 per semester for textbooks. If the average cost of textbooks went up $300 per semester, because of supplemental required texts, that would equal $600 extra per year, therefore eliminating the savings each year, plus adding another $100 in cost.

Textbook Rental is a service that Eastern students have come to expect and appreciate. In no way will they accept paying hundreds of dollars more a semester. The President’s Council needs to keep that in mind when they make their decisions regarding Textbook Rental.