By Michael Adkison
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas hosted presentations by two potential vendors to manage the University Bookstore.
“We would like the Bookstore to be the go-to destination for textbooks, course materials, obviously being a low cost leader there is very important to us,” Cale Fessler, associate vice chancellor, said.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers presented on Monday, October 28, while Follett presented that Friday, November 1.
Both organizations cited Internet accessibility, diversity in the workplace, and textbook affordability as new initiatives they would each take for the Bookstore.
The University also required that both vendors hire all current bookstore staff at their current salaries, but some staff are still on-edge about the transition.
“It’s kind of up in the air right now,” Leslie Duke, bookstore marketing strategist said. “Some people are a little worried about it, some people are like it should be fine, it’s going to help us.”
Fessler said the transition to external management results from the goal of having a space where visitors can “experience a little bit of the passion that so many people have for the University of Arkansas.”
According to the University’s most recent financial statement, the University Bookstore brought in a revenue of $11 million, down nearly 25% from the decade before.
That’s also the lowest revenue the University has reported since 2002, when it gained full operation of the bookstore.
Fessler says that the selection process for external management will continue through the semester, with implementation beginning in Spring 2020.