Imagine you’re a poor college student dreading yet hesitantly embracing the upcoming fall semester. You open your laptop, load up self-service, and take on your worst nightmare: tuition fees. Suddenly, you’re faced with a hefty $330 fee on your account.
If you’re anything like me, you immediately entered the Piedmont app to inquire about this fee, only to discover that Piedmont University is pushing out a brand new program designed to help students with textbook pricing.
On June 24, 2024, Piedmont University infiltrated students’ emails with a cute yet somewhat deceiving graphic about a new rental program called Bridge Books+, stating that this program would give students all the course material they would need for a flat rate of $22 per credit hour. Stating, Verbatim, “This exciting new program is designed to SAVE you TIME and MONEY.” Students could opt out of this program from July 15th to Aug 23rd.
Previously, Piedmont students had to buy their textbooks at the prices listed on the Piedmont University bookstore website. Textbooks could range from $10 to over $200, depending on the course.
The program, while helpful, has its flaws. As a student taking five classes with two practicums, I only have two classes where we use our textbooks. As stated in the email sent to all students here at Piedmont, Bridge Books charges students based on their credit hours. You would assume that since I am enrolled in only two classes that state we have textbooks for the course, I would be charged only $22 per book. Despite this, when checking my self-service, I was met with a fee of $330.
To wandering incoming first-year students, this program is a lifesaver for them. However, this program may not offer much benefit to experienced sophmores, juniors, and seniors. They already have a good understanding of where to get their textbooks for reasonably cheap. Many students advertise selling their used books on the Piedmont app for reasonably low prices. Therefore, this program may not be worth the time and effort.
“I don’t understand implementing a system where there was no reason to. It’s needless innovation. It wasn’t communicated well that you had to opt-out or you would have to. I don’t know why it was rolled out in the summer,” says junior Eric Edmonson.
“It’s confusing and tricking people into paying money,” says freshman Allie Watkins.
Many of us students feel conflicted about the new Bridge Books program, but I am hopeful they will address all the issues we’ve faced when Bridge Books rolls out next semester. Hopefully, the program will be more clearly communicated by staff here at Piedmont, and all students can make informed decisions about whether or not they want to participate.
