Dear Regional Campus Faculty and Staff,
We want to keep you informed about some key changes to the bookstore services at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University, which are set to begin in summer 2024. As you know, our contracted partnership with Barnes & Noble continues to evolve in response to changing demands and preferences, notably the increased trend of students ordering their books online. In recent semesters, the regional campus bookstores have seen a slowdown in store traffic, with many students ordering their books online, resulting in operational inefficiencies for the bookstore group. An annual student satisfaction survey conducted by Barnes & Noble indicates that students want online options. In order to be responsive and innovative in the approach moving forward, there will be some changes beginning in summer 2024.
Effective August 1, 2024, the Stark Campus Bookstore will serve as the central hub for bookstore operations across all regional campuses. This change means that the physical bookstore locations at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Salem, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas will be closing on July 11th. Despite these changes, course materials will remain available at each regional campus bookstore for the Summer 2024 semester, and arrangements for returning rented materials will continue as usual.
For the upcoming Fall semester and beyond, faculty at our regional campuses will continue to select and order course materials in the same manner as before. There will be no changes to your process of specifying and communicating required materials through Barnes & Noble for your courses. This consistency is aimed at minimizing disruption and maintaining the quality of academic resources available to our students.
We understand that these changes may raise questions or concerns. Please feel free to reach out to Cesquinn M. Curtis, Associate Vice President for Student Life, at ccurti10@kent.edu, for any further clarification or assistance you might need.
Thank you for your continued dedication to providing outstanding education and support to our students, especially during periods of transition.
Warm regards,
Peggy Shadduck, Ph.D.
Vice President for Regional Campuses
Eboni J. Pringle, Ph.D.
Interim Senior Vice President for Student Life