One of the worst parts of being a college student is spending ridiculous amounts of money on books you often don't even want to read.
Complaints about exorbitant prices and professors who require too many books are everywhere during the first few weeks of classes.
In response to the issue, ASMSU (MSU's student government) is working on a plan that could lower textbook costs through a projected $50-per-year refund for students. The bill, still in its initial stages, recommends that Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the state Legislature create a sales tax exemption bill.
ASMSU creating a plan that would directly benefit all students is practical. Most students hate spending so much money on textbooks and would appreciate getting a $50 refund every year.
However, it seems unlikely that a state bill would pass, especially if the funds would be taken away from K-12 education.
Sure, $50 would be great — no one will refuse more money — but it's not going to help the average college student that much. That's not even enough for two tanks of gas for most.
Is it really worth all the trouble? Will a $50 refund really make college kids feel better about buying books?
It seems more productive for ASMSU to work on a plan that has more potential to actually be put into effect.
For example, if student government officials are so concerned about textbook costs for students, they could look into some sort of guidelines for professors when assigning books for classes.
Professors could be instructed to require only a certain number of textbooks or to keep book expenses for the class under a particular amount of money.
Regulations against books becoming obsolete after only a short period could also help to cut down on the money students spend on books.
Professors could be asked to rely on course packs, as opposed to requiring students buy a book where only one chapter is relevant or essential.
Or ASMSU could develop a plan where students would no longer pay for their own textbooks separately. As an alternative, the price of textbooks could be rolled into tuition.
Why waste time and energy on developing a plan that, in all reality, will likely die in the Legislature? Instead, work on solutions within the university that could save students more than $50.
