York Reacts: Barnes and Noble replaced by Online Based Book Store Fall Semester 2017

Barnes and Noble will no longer be the provider of textbooks and school spirit apparel with an entirely online based textbook provider called Akademos by end of Spring Semester 2017. In a York College Senate meeting held on Feb 28, Assistant Vice President for Planning and Budget Ismael Perez confirmed rumors of the book store’s closing. Although CUNY ends their contract on April 30th, York students voice concerns over the change in textbook providers.

BY PAOLA AMAYA. PHOTO CREDIT TO PAOLA AMAYA. Hearing for the first time the news of CUNY schools deciding to shut down their bookstores on all campuses, Franchesca Figueroa, 19, The Bronx, undeclared major at CUNY Brooklyn College says, “It’s very unfortunate to hear that the bookstores will be taken out of all CUNY schools. They were so convenient to students who needed somewhere to purchase any of their needs whether that be highlighters or chips. I’m going to miss the bookstores because it made renting an easier process and it was RIGHT there. You were able to visit your CUNY bookstore without hardly ever having to step a foot outside of campus and you got helped by other students who typically worked there. They organized books by whichever course you were taking that semester too, so you wouldn’t end up buying the wrong textbook. That’s a mistake we all make when purchasing books online, especially if our professors are not clear on what edition or ISBN number the book is. It just made getting your books an easier process overall and I don’t think it’ll be an easy transition for students who were already used to it.” #CUNY #CUNYschools #CUNYBrooklynCollege #CUNYbookstoresclosing #collegelife #barnesandnoble

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STUDENTS TAKE ON CUNY BOOKSTORES CLOSING Story and Photo by: Taylor Jacobs York College is one of 14 Cuny schools that are closing its book stores and going digital. Students will now have to purchase their books solely online. Shadia Islam, 19, a sophomore and Health Science major from Ozone Park feels that the bookstores are still a commodity for college students and are worth keeping around. “Everything is automated so I understand why this is happening but we can’t just depend on online (platforms) because we will always need somewhere physical to go to. Plus, I don’t know, I just have a feeling that this will also cause the prices of the books to raise,” says Islam. #yorkjournalism #cunyyorkcollege #cunyqueens #collegelife #smartphonejournalism #bookstores

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“York College Bookstores Are Closing” Photo and Story by: Tywanna Webb. The shelves are empty as York College prepares to close its’ doors at the end of the Spring semester. York College and 13 other CUNY colleges’ bookstores will permanently close. The colleges contract with Barnes and Nobles, the book company that currently operates the bookstore, is set to expire a the end of April. This has given CUNY the opportunity to look for other service options for students. In the proposal regarding the decision, CUNY states that it strives to move to a “user-friendly virtual platform” that will “free up campus space” and “maximize funds for the colleges.” CUNY says this change with allow students to purchase course materials at a lower price. The proposal also states that a few selected colleges will have a kiosk station on campus to assist students with the online bookstore. In preparation for the closing, York College has began to move out most of it products and offer sales to items such as snacks and candy.

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Story & Photo by: Shannon Campbell YORK COLLEGE STUDENT SAYS SHE IS SHOCKED ABOUT THE BOOKSTORE CLOSING York College has made the decision to shut down the book store come the end of the Spring 2017 semester. CUNY will be closing a total of 14 campus bookstores and converting to a virtual bookstore. York College student Emerita Orellana is an Occupational Therapist major and she says that CUNY should not close the bookstore. “I am a freshman and this is my second semester. I have bought all my books from the bookstore. I also work so being able to run down to the bookstore and get my books there and then is so convenient to me,” said Orellana. “I also buy my metro card and snacks from the bookstore. It is so much more cheaper.” The plan behind the store closings is to help the students save money by using one vendor. CUNY is using a company called Akademos for their online store. Assistant Vice President for Planning and Budget, Ismael Perez said that students can expect to pay at least 60 percent less than the retail value. “I don’t think this online bookstore will be a success. Most of my classes this semester needed the textbook right away and I don’t see that being possible with an online bookstore,” said Orellana. Orellana will be taking classes in the Summer session and she is not happy to order her textbooks online. “This is a bad, bad idea. I’m surprised that it is working in the other CUNY school.” The new online bookstore will be open as of the Summer 2017 semester. A few CUNY schools have already converted to Akademos but have mixed reviews on the success of it. There has been no announcement of what the bookstore space will be used for. #yorkjournalism #CUNY #bookstoreclosing #akademos #cunyyorkcollege

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Obden Mondesir, Jamaica Queens Major library scientist and History Attended Queens College Credit photo:Tyriece Simon Written by: Tyriece Simon NO BOOKSTORE= BIG MISTAKE You thought No physical books is a good thing, THINK AGAIN. Before York College’s Bookstore closes, Hear what Mondesir had to say about Queens College closing their bookstore. “I mean I feel its been more difficult to get books, because you need that physical presence”. “Professors also found it difficult to get books”. “Even though its more convenient there still a difference”.” I found it easier to get physical books”. “My bookstore closed down this semester”. “I remember after the break I went to get books and I was shocked to know it closed down”. “If the school isn’t figuring out how the students will find another job I’m not for it”. “The school should find them something to do to get paid if they are getting rid of books”. “I am assuming they had work studies hopefully they got something else”. #yorkjournalism #Cuny #York #QueensCollege

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Story and Photo by: Shannon Campbell YORK STUDENT CLOSING SCHOOL BOOKSTORE IS A BAD DECISION At the end of the Spring 2017 semester York College will be closing the bookstore. As of Fall 2017 textbooks will only be available for purchase online. York College student Tasnim Harun, a sophmore Biology major says that she cannot believe that they think it is a good idea to close the book store. Just a few weeks ago, the Assistant Vice President for planning and budget, Ismael Perez announced the official closing of the bookstore. The school’s contract with Barnes & Noble will expire on April 30th and the school has no desire to renew the contract. “I really have no time to check online for my textbooks which is why I’ve always purchased from the book store,” said Harun. “I’m a biology major so some of my required lab books are only available from the bookstore and I need them right away. I do not have the time to wait for them to be delivered.” Other CUNY schools such as John Jay, Medgar Evers, and Queens College have already taken that step to close their bookstores and make textbooks available only online. There have been no announcements made on what the bookstore will be turned into. “They are taking away a very important source for students like me,” said Harun. “This semester I needed googles and an apron for class or I was not allowed it. I was able to run down to the book store and buy it and return to my class with no problem. Now I will have to order online and possibly miss a class.” Harun added that this decision is very inconsiderate to the students and that she will miss the bookstore. #yorkjournalism #CUNY #bookstore #cunyyorkcollege #barnesandnoble #bookstoreclosing #akademos

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