Frequently Asked Questions
Do the students own the Bookie?
Yes:
The students own the Bookie. The stock of the Corporation is held
in trust for the students by the Trustees of the Corporation who are also
Board of Regents. The corporation is overseen by a Board of Directors consisting
of 9 people. The membership of the Board includes 5 student directors,
2 faculty representatives, and 2 representatives of the administration. The
Board of Directors has four officers, Chairmen, Vice Chair, Secretary, and
Treasurer, all of which can only be held by the students. The Trustees
appoint the Board members.
What is the relationship between The Bookie and Barnes &Noble
(B & N)?
In 2003,
the Board of Directors made the decision to contract with B&N for management
of the bookstore. B&N is now working under contract for the Student Book
Corporation (SBC). B&N provides a monthly operational report to the
Board.
If the students own the bookie, how do they have a say in what goes
on?
Of
the nine directors on the Board, five are students. These students
hold all officer positions and thus hold the majority vote. Any student
who maintains a satisfactory GPA can be eligible to hold a position on
the Board. Applications
for vacant board positions are generally filled during the spring semester. The
faculty and administrative members of the Board are required to uphold
their fiduciary responsibilities on behalf of the students of Washington
State University .
If I have an issue concerning the Bookie, can I speak with the Board.
If
your question is regarding an item, book or service it would be most
efficient to talk directly with the store management. While the Board
of Directors primary concern is the financial and strategic direction of
the corporation, if you have an ongoing problem or feel your problems have
not been resolved, anyone can contact the Board by using the Contact Us
link at www.wsubookie.net/sbcboard
How does the Bookie directly benefit the students?
The Bookie
benefits the students in a number of ways. These are some of the major
ones.
- The Bookie provides a 10% point of
sale discount on every textbook sold. In 2005 the Board of Directors
voted to increase the point of sale discount from 8% to 10%.
- The Board has traditionally granted
a large dividend back to the students through the student government.
The most recent dividend was for $86,000 to be apportioned among
the WSU campuses. The student elected government then decides how those
funds are distributed amongst student groups and activities.
- The Bookie is helping lower the cost
to the students of the CUB renovation at the request of the student
government by agreeing to become the anchor tenant.
In addition, the Bookie sponsors numerous other events such as the Readership
program, and various other student events and activities throughout the year.
What is a dividend and is it issued every year?
A
dividend is a return of money to the shareholders, which are the
students in this case. Like any corporation, the dividend declared is contingent
on the financial health of the corporation. The 2006 dividend was $86,000. This
amount is distributed back to student groups and activities through
their elected student government
Why is the Bookie becoming the anchor tenant in the renovated CUB?
In 2004,
ASWSU representatives asked the Board of Directors to consider becoming
the anchor tenant to reduce some of the student’s financial burden
of renovation. By committing to a 30-year lease, the student voted renovation
project became possible. As a result, the fees that all students will pay
were lowered.
If I am interested in becoming a Director, who can I contact? How
do I apply?
If a
student is interested in becoming a Director, applications are available
both online at www.wsubookie.net/sbcboard and at the administrative
desk in the Bookie. Applications are accepted year around, however,
interviews are generally held in the spring.
|
