The management of the Red Deer College bookstore is officially in the hands of a company based in the United States.
On Monday, the Illinois-based Follett Higher Education Group took over the reins of the campus bookstore. The store is closed for a week so a team can bring in new computers, install new technology and do inventory counts. The bookstore is expected to reopen on Tuesday.
RDC decided to outsource operations of the campus bookstore in March, and the decision drew backlash from employees, local unions and students. Eleven college staff worked in the campus bookstore and were members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 1445. They were told their jobs ended on July 14.
In early April, members of CUPE employees and others rallied and picketed along 32nd Street over the privatization, potential job loss and the loss of pensions and other benefits.
Elio DiStaola, director of campus relations for Follett Canada, said bookstore positions were offered to existing staff and those who took jobs would be trained on the new equipment and technology. He did not say how many former employees have been re-hired.
In the long term, the company will spend $500,000 to give the bookstore a new look but these renovations are not expected to begin until next summer. RDC and Follett will work together to create the blueprints and establish a timeframe for the renovations. DiStaola said the conversations are at the initial stages and final plans have not been approved.
John Chapman, RDC vice-president of college services, said the renovations would likely start once the doors are closed on the 2011-2012 school year. Chapman said most college renovations start after the winter term ends, when there are less students on campus.
In the coming weeks, an RDC bookstore advisory committee will be formed with college and Follett representatives. Chapman said the committee will discuss operational issues, including store hours and how the store learning materials will interface with the college. He said the latter is becoming increasingly important with the shift from hard copy to digital materials.
Chapman said there is an opportunity for instructors to be more actively involved in how the learning materials interact with the students.
“Before if you have a book, the instructor would say read a book,” he said. “But when you are dealing with digital material, the instructor is actually able to communicate and be involved in that interaction of the learning material with the student.”
Follett will offer students textbooks in multiple formats, including downloads for iPads, laptops and smart phones, and the traditional options of renting buying and renting used and new books.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com