Patrons of campus bookstore profit from sales

A University Bookstore plan to “give back” to the campus and community by creating a new scholarship and grant program was announced Dec. 17 at the board of trustees meeting.

The bookstore’s relocation to the Bowen-Thompson Student Union in the spring of 2002 has been a “real success story,” according to Christopher Dalton, senior vice president for finance and administration.

Dalton added that “given this success, we believe that it would be appropriate for the bookstore to give back to its customers by providing modest support for scholarship and grant programs that will enrich the educational experience of our undergraduate and graduate students and enhance their opportunities for engagement with external communities both locally and beyond the confines of northwest Ohio.”

Once the new program is in place, $100,000 will be allocated annually for Bookstore Engagement Scholarships to be given to 25 undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need who are participating in community engagement activities. Another $15,000 will go for travel awards to help graduate students subsidize their participation in academic conferences, meetings and performances, and $30,000 will be allocated to support faculty and graduate students who are involved in partnering with outside organizations in community engagement projects. Bookstore staff will participate in the community projects as well.

The plan also calls for the bookstore to initiate a book scholarship program through which 50 undergraduate students will be loaned required textbooks for all of the classes they take during their first year at BGSU. By some national estimates, the average student spends around $900 annually for textbooks and supplies.

Details related to applying for the grants and scholarships are still being worked out.

Dalton told trustees the bookstore’s sales performance validates President Ribeau’s decision to keep the operation under University management rather than lease the store to an outside operator.

“It is also a tribute to the fine job being done by the bookstore’s leadership team, headed by Jeff Nelson, as well as all of the bookstore’s full-time and part-time employees,” he said.

In addition to offering textbooks and supplies at competitive prices, the bookstore sells electronics, sundry and seasonal items, convenience store fare and a wide assortment of BGSU merchandise, including apparel and gifts.

The bookstore’s success since moving to the student union has been featured in several trade publications, including The College Store Journal. Most recently, Nelson, the bookstore director, contributed an article titled “One Bookstore’s Journey, Bowling Green State University Bookstore’s Journey to Success During a Time of Transition” to the October 2004 issue of the National Association of College Auxiliary Services magazine.

“This past year was the most successful yet, both financially and in terms of service, in the journey of this store,” Nelson notes in the article. He added that “achievement of significant success is possible, especially with the support of a collaborative campus community and the expertise of a team of collegiate retail professionals.”

In addition to the locations in the union and at BGSU Firelands, the bookstore operates a new retail outlet, BGSU on Main, in downtown Bowling Green.