With Debut orientation programs for Eastern’s incoming freshman and transfer students officially underway, many businesses on campus are seeing orientation as a way to generate revenue.  

The employees at the Union Bookstore in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union see these groups as a huge staple of their success over the summer and plans around Debut’s hours and tours. 

Mitch Coe, manager of the Union Bookstore, said the Debut program gives significant business to the bookstore.  

Coe said orientation is by far the busiest time during the summer. 

While the influx of Debut groups definitely gives the bookstore more business, Coe said the groups have been more spread out this year than in the past. 

Coe said the bookstore runs promotions and sales throughout the summer to encourage new students to come in, including distributing coupons for 10 percent discounts at the bookstore.  

“We pass out coupons and promotional stuff to Debut groups in order to attract them to come in,” Coe said.

 The change in the Debut schedule for this year has also affected the way that the bookstore is staffed. 

Coe said in past years, the busiest time for Debut groups to visit the bookstore was at lunchtime.  

Coe said he brings in more staff during the lunch hours but also keeps more people on for later in the day, which because of the change in Debut hours is when most groups finally have free time to shop. 

The bookstore is usually open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 to 11:30 a.m. Friday. 

Coe is more flexible with the hours with Debut groups. 

“Sometimes we stay open later than 4:30 (p.m.),” Coe said. “Pretty much, we stay open until every group and family has had a change to come in.” 

Because Debut groups do not visit on Fridays, the bookstore sees much less business than on other weekdays. 

Coe said while profits during the summer do not usually match those of the regular school year, the bookstore sells a large portion of Apple products, including laptops. 

Coe attributed the rise in laptop sales to their necessity among college students, although the bookstore sees little profit from the sale of Apple products. 

However, the store also sees a sizeable increase in the amount of clothing purchased, as incoming students are eager to finally buy Panther clothes.  

Katie Dusek, who will be attending Eastern in the fall, said she bought Eastern clothes for next year.

“I’m an incoming freshman and need a new wardrobe,” Dusek said. 

Her mother, Nancy Dusek, also said they were also purchasing clothes for her daughter’s siblings to get them excited for their sister’s arrival on Eastern’s campus. 

Katarina Warner, another incoming freshman, bought sweatshirts, a glass and T-shirts as part of a present from her mother and father for high school graduation. 

Beth Piestir, an incoming freshman, was eager to buy Eastern gear, as well as an EIU lanyard. “It’s a must -have item,” Piestir said.  

John Downen can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].