Sold Out | Illustration by Dylan Collison | The Wright State Guardian
Students at Wright State University (WSU) have recently had issues with receiving their book orders on time for classes. This is the result of stock issues with publishers this semester, higher caps on class and the coronavirus.
The ordering process
The bookstore orders from previous sales knowledge. They expect their orders from professors months in advance. The General Manager of WSU Bookstore was able to shed light on the situation.
“For this title [To Stir the Heart], we ordered enough compared to previous semesters. Fortunately, we sold through those so when we went to place more for them, the publisher said that they had no more in stock,” said the General Manager of the Bookstore Elizabeth Russell.
There were at least four students who were unable to receive this book and this is partially due to waiting to place their order.
“They waited to place their order, which is perfectly normal, but when they wait to place their order, we have to wait to place our order,” said Russell.
Solutions to backorders
The chair of the department of English Dr. Alpana Sharma was alerted to this issue in the middle of September and reached out to Textbook Manager Donna Karlsberger. Dr. Sharma was able to help students find books from second-hand sources.
“Every single student who contacted me with difficulties now has the book or has access to it through a 2-hour reserve at the library, where it is being kept at the front desk in a sanitized bag,” said Sharma.
Students would wear gloves while handling the sanitized bag and book in order to xerox pages or read the short novel.
By offering students a way to access textbooks through the library, Dr. Sharma was able to help students that were unable to order the book.
“I would encourage students to buy their books upfront and not wait. Students who waited longer, they’re the ones who ran out of time,” said Sharma.
Coronavirus and its impact
According to Karlsberger, the publisher has the books in stock but they are unable to access the New York building due to the coronavirus.
“We try our best to accommodate and with everything going on with professors switching classes, classes being dropped and instructor changes. We strive to be as accommodating with working with our faculty as possible,” said Russell.
No students have been charged for these books because the bookstore does not charge students until the orders are processed.
