Loyola University New Orleans Bookstore
PRESS RELEASE
Loyola chooses new bookstore provider
Loyola University New Orleans has selected Follett Higher Education Group to manage bookstore operations beginning in May 2009. Follett operates more than 830 bookstores in the United States and holds accounts with 17 of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S.
Loyola issued a request for proposals in February 2009, and candidates were reviewed by a committee comprised of students, faculty, members of the administrative senate and representatives from Student Affairs and Academic Affairs. Follett was chosen for its proposal to create a strong brand for the Loyola Bookstore and its commitment to social justice and ethical vendor policies. Follett is a member of the Fair Labor Association, employs a vice president to monitor compliance and hires Ernst & Young to independently audit and inspect manufacturing plants. In addition, Follett maintains a commitment to the environment and sustainable practices with energy, shipping cartons, flooring, lighting, construction materials, course textbook recycling and the Green Textbook Initiative.
The company plans to renovate the current bookstore, revealing a new concept this summer, which will incorporate more technology in the new store and establish a satellite store near Flambeaux’s in the Danna Student Center. The bookstore will offer fashion-forward and seasonal clothing lines and specialty items; provide space for author readings and small group meetings; and promote fair-trade and sustainable/green products and use of local merchants and wholesalers, where applicable.
“Follett is very proud to be selected to operate the Loyola University of New Orleans Bookstore,” said Follett Higher Education Group president, Thomas C. Christopher. “We will use all of our resources to provide the campus community with a bookstore in which everyone can take great pride. Follett is privileged to have had strong partnerships throughout the Jesuit community and we are extremely fortunate to join in the great traditions at Loyola University of New Orleans.”
The feeling is mutual among Loyola committee members.
“Follett understands the relationship between bookstore staff and faculty as one of cooperation and partnership in service of Loyola’s students,” said John Sebastian, professor of English. “Through their seamless and hassle-free book adoption process, the Follett team is committed not just to meeting faculty needs but to surpassing our expectations.”
Student committee members Sean Hood and Chad Carson, of Loyola University Community Action Program, are encouraged by the new partnership as well.
“Follett brings a sense of accountability to the student body,” Hood said.
“Follett was the clear leader among bookstore vendors in ensuring that items emblazoned with the Loyola University name were produced under fair labor conditions,” said Carson. “The products our bookstore will sell will be a literal extension of our university’s commitment to social justice.”
The company has also committed to interview current bookstore employees for future positions. Longtime bookstore employee Carol Knight has accepted a position with the current bookstore provider to manage the Vanguard University Bookstore in Costa Mesa, Calif., and will relocate in a few weeks. Vanguard University is a private, Christian, coeducational, comprehensive university of liberal arts and professional studies with an enrollment of 2000 students.
For more information on the bookstore transition, contact Christopher Cameron, director of Co-curricular Programs in the Office of Student Affairs at ccameron@loyno.edu or 504-865-3622.
Click HERE to see the Request for Proposal (RFP)
Click HERE to see amendments to the RFP
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Textbook Adoptions
Textbook adoptions will continue to be collected for summer and fall 2009 sessions by Ivon Fascio. Summer and fall adoptions should be completed no later than Friday, May 1, to ensure texts are on the shelves in a timely fashion.
Transition Date Closing
The bookstore will be closed Monday, May 11 through Friday, May 15 to facilitate the ownership transition.
Buy Back/Exam Supplies
Students will be able to sell their textbooks back to Follett in the retail space adjacent to Flambeaux’s in the Danna Student Center beginning Monday, May 4. Exam supplies (blue books, scan cards, etc.) will be available in the bookstore until May 8.
Buy Back Hours
Monday, May 4 9am – 6:30pm
Tuesday, May 5 9am – 6:30pm
Wednesday, May 6 9am – 6:30pm
Thursday, May 7 9am – 6:30pm
Friday, May 8 9am – 4:45pm
Saturday, May 9 CLOSED
Sunday, May 10 CLOSED
Monday, May 11-16 CLOSED
Buy Back Pricing
Follett will generally pay 50 percent of the selling price for books in good condition (binding intact, no excessive highlighting) that have been readopted by faculty for use the next term. The bookstore will only pay 50 percent for the quantity which can be resold; when that quantity is reached based on class enrollment for the following term, Follett will pay the wholesale price for the book.
Follett will pay wholesale prices for textbooks, which are not readopted by faculty for the next term. The prices will be based on national demand for the textbooks, but some texts may be determined to have no value if a publisher creates a new edition of the book, and the bookstore and wholesale company are unable to use it. However, the bookstore will continue to buy back old editions if the faculty requires use of that particular edition.
RFP Committee Membership
- Adrienne Blanco, Academic Affairs Budget Manager
- Chris Cameron, Director of Co-Curricular Programs
- Chad Carson, student
- Cade Cypriano, student
- Sean Hood, student
- Bret Jabobs, Administrative Senate
- Dr. Michelle K. Johnston, Assistant Professor of Management in the College of Business
- Dr. Cissy Petty, Vice President for Student Affairs and Associate Provost
- Dr. John Sebastian, Assistant Professor of English in the College of Humanities and Natural Sciences
- Kathleen Warner, student
Renovation
Financed by Follett, we will renovate the bookstore over the summer months and add a satellite retail store. Our goal is that the bookstore should become an inviting place where students, faculty, and staff are curious to browse the store, sit quietly to read, meet in small groups for interesting discussion, and gather for special events such as author readings. The satellite store will be an innovative anchor space that compliments the activity of the newly renovated Flambeaux’s area. It will become an every-changing retail environment offering fashion-forward and seasonal clothing lines, unique specialty items and gifts, stationary, or jewelry. New Orleans Saints, Hornets, and Wolfpack athletic gear may be offered. Special emphasis will be placed on fair-trade and sustainable/green products; where applicable the use of local merchants and wholesalers will be promoted.
Click here to see the proposed bookstore layout!
ABOUT FOLLETT
http://www.fheg.follett.com/
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
http://www.fheg.follett.com/images/docs/CORP_RESPONS.pdf
