The elimination of materials fees at De Anza College will force students to start using the campus bookstore and print shop as the main suppliers for extra class materials starting next quarter.

Faculty are being encouraged to assign course packets and supplies available through the bookstore or electronically, including email, Course Studio or Catalyst, Letha Jeanpierre finance and educational resource vice president wrote in an email.

Printing may be done at the library by a new print management system that will allow students to print materials as needed and pay with their student body
cards, she wrote.

The bookstore is beginning to make preparations for the potential increase in revenue from supplies purchases. “We are hoping the change will bring more students into the bookstore,” said Jeri Montgomery, bookstore director.

“We order in bulk which lowers the price,” Montgomery said, “and we have already negotiated prices.” The materials are then marked based on additional costs and to create revenue.

The print shop is preparing for a decrease in printing requests.

“The amount of printing will be less, so we’ll have the faculty do more syllabuses to increase revenue,” said Jose Menendez, director of printing services. “Also we’re going to be marketing more for students to use the services.”

Instructors need to submit any handouts to the print shop for printing because De Anza is looking at a Copyright Clearance Center program next quarter to avoid potential infringements, said Jeanpierre.

Art is one of the departments affected the most by the removal of materials fees.

“It is really hard for us to get the materials that students would really need to get them started,” said Diane Pierce, photography instructor. “It’s not like every store has those materials.”

Materials fees used to pay for demonstrations and divided bulk supply orders are measures taken to minimize students’ expenditures, Pierce said.

The bookstore used to act as a local supplier to students, but has often experienced delays, Pierce said. The delay can cause students to not have the materials when needed.

Instructors are concerned that some courses require specific materials students may have trouble finding.

“It is a very simple mistake for a beginning ceramic student to confuse cone 010 with
cone 10, yet the consequences are disastrous to our equipment,” said Rocky Lewycky, head of Ceramics Department.

Manufacturing and computer numerical control students use metal 12 feet long, said Jeanpierre. “I can’t see them (the bookstore) carrying that kind of stuff.”

Not all classes can provide required materials without the materials fees. Some classes will be able to restore the materials fees in the upcoming fall quarter.

The departments allowed to continue materials fees will be expected to keep track of the materials and matched funding.

Jeanpierre said, “Anyone who is restored, I will have to ask permission from the vice chancellor and assure accountability.”