Reply #59: And some publishers are obnoxious, too

[Piltdown13]

Just over the past few years, I've noticed that textbook publishers are bringing out new editions of intro texts in my field MUCH more frequently than they used to -- and, quite frankly, more often than is truly necessary to keep up with the field. Once the new edition is out, you can't use the old one anymore (the bookstore won't be able to get enough on the used market), something I ran into headon this semester. So much for giving students the option of used books!

My school even sends faculty an e-mail every year reminding us of the state's commmitment to keeping student textbook costs down and floating ideas for how we can do our part, but it's pretty hard to do when the publishers are working against us.