UAS Bookstore Survey

  1. Please indicate how you principally interact with the UAS Bookstore:

    Valid Missing Mean
    55 0 NA
    As a local student : 25
     
    As a distance (eLearning) student : 10
     
    As an instructor : 4
     
    University employee : 12
     
    Member of the public : 4
     
  2.  
  3. Please indicate where you live:

    Valid Missing Mean
    55 0 NA
    UAS Housing : 6
     
    Juneau community : 39
     
    Outside of Juneau : 10
     
  4.  
  5. The UAS bookstore website provides online ordering of textbooks and merchandise, general information on the bookstore and faculty book adoption information.

    How helpful is the bookstore web site to you?

    Valid Missing Mean
    55 0 NA
    Very helpful : 55
     
    Somewhat helpful : 0
    No opinion : 0
    Somewhat unhelpful : 0
    Very unhelpful : 0
    I have never used the web site : 0
  6.  
  7. How do you usually buy your text books?

    Valid Missing Mean
    52 3 NA
    Juneau campus bookstore : 19
     
    Juneau online bookstore (MBS Direct) : 12
     
    Other local bookstore : 0
    Other online bookstore : 4
     
    Whoever has the best price : 17
     
    Comments:
    Selected: Juneau online bookstore (MBS Direct)
    I compare prices but usually find that MBS Direct has the best prices and thanks to the class specific links I can make sure I get the correct items.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    If i cannot afford the prices.
    Selected: Juneau campus bookstore
    I also buy my textbooks through MBS Direct, especially for all my distance classes.
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    a lot less expensive to order from ebay, half.com, or amazon
    Do not purchase textbooks.  As a faculty member I use both the local and MBS Direct stores for my students.  I interact and receive valuable information from the Juneau bookstore personnel.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    I always check with the bookstore website first to compare prices.  When they are reasonable, I purchase from the bookstore.  My next step is to check online MBS, then other online vendors.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    I also recommend to my students (unless they depend on FinAid for books) to look around for the best price.
    Selected: Juneau campus bookstore
    I have used the Juneau online bookstore, too.
    n/a
    Selected: Juneau campus bookstore
    I purchase desk copies for faculty from the Juneau campus bookstore.
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    Not worth it any more to buy from UAS book store
    Selected: Juneau online bookstore (MBS Direct)
    When the bookstore will give me a voucher I buy them from MBS Direct.  If not then I have to try and purchase them from another site where the books are cheaper
    Selected: Juneau campus bookstore
    On occasion I will also use Amazon, but the UAS bookstore is very helpful for last-minute textbook purchases, especially when online orders are running late or get canceled.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    As an instructor, I don't purchase the text books I use.  My students are predominately distance students and while I encourage my students to use mbsdirect, I know that any number of them use alternate vendors.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    The Juneau campus bookstore rarely has the best price on the market for bigger textbooks - for science classes, for example
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    My last year I bought all my textbooks from the Bookstore.
    Selected: Juneau campus bookstore
    I mainly buy my textbooks at the Juneau campus bookstore, but also Juneau online bookstore for distance classes.
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    Juneau bookstore prices are ridiculous.
  8.  
  9. I use the campus bookstore to purchase:

    Valid Missing Mean
    55 0 NA
    Textbooks : 40
     
    School supplies/backpacks : 22
     
    Art supplies : 17
     
    Clothing : 29
     
    General books : 13
     
    Gifts : 29
     
    I do not shop at the campus bookstore : 3
     
    Other : 2
     
    Comments:
    Selected:
    I really like the pencils, pens, highlighters, etc collections. But I just wished they weren't so pricey. I mean $4-6 for just one pen or pencil? That is ridiculous!
    Selected:
    I love shopping at the bookstore!
    Selected: General books
    I don't really see any other items besides books,
    Selected: Textbooks
    I rarely go to the bookstore.  It is not in a location that makes me want to visit without a purpose.
    Selected:
    They have a really fun selection of school supplies and gifts, I'm always surprised by their fun selection.
    Selected:
    Great place to shop!
    Selected:
    I purchase items for both work and personal use from the campus bookstore.
    Selected:
    I used to frequent the book store and really looked forward to doing so when it was on campus but once it was moved off campus it became "out of sight, out of mind" (despite the fact that it is now located in a lovely setting and filled with great gifts and enticing sundries and great reading material) and coupled with the gradual lowering quality and rising prices in the cafeteria the frequency of my trips to Mourant has drastically declined.   Add to that -- now that the campus has been divided in half re: vehicle traffic...while I used to occasionally, I no longer use the entrance on the Back Loop at all, thus virtually guaranteeing that I do not/will not get the visual reminder and consequent occasional urge to make an impulse shopping stop.  
    Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore
    The bookstore prices are ridiculous and the buy-back is at a terrible rate.
  10.  
  11. Do you use the bookstore to purchase books using financial aid or agency funding prior to disbursement?

    Valid Missing Mean
    55 0 NA
    Yes : 14
     
    No : 41
     
  12.  
  13. Looking ahead, what are the best things about the current UAS Bookstore that UAS should strive to preserve?

    Valid Missing Mean
    44 11 NA
    Comments:
    I believe the best thing about the bookstore, is that it allows you to browse through the textbooks, what items you may need for classes, many art supplies are not available locally, and finally looking for cards and gifts close by so you don't forget those special events.  Yes, many of us use the e-cards as well, but you still can't replace that special card for that special someone to hold in their hands.
    I would say the textbooks at lowest price possible. The writing tools, but lower the price. The journals and general books. The small artsy and crafty things. The clothes are nice, but I can't afford them because they are too expensive.
    Website.  Cheerful, upbeat atmosphere, school/class supplies for all subjects - especially art, ceramics, etc as those are hard to locate elsewhere locally.
    location - availability to entire Juneau community - i.e. book readings and other events
    Fun hats, fun jewelry, great backpacks/bags/purses, and awesome university bling
    provide more up to date stuff and also affordable pricing
    It's a beautiful bookstore with great gifts.
    Being able to purchase UAS logo material, little gifts.
    Online tools are essential for a distance university.
    Keep an on campus presence for students.  Allow students living in Juneau to purchase textbooks from the local bookstore instead of using MBS.
    I've never been there, so I don't know.
    Bookstore website.  A lot of the time the bookstore knows the required texts before the syllabus is available.  Some syllabi do not include text requirements.  Students that plan ahead need to know the required texts asap.
    I really like how colorful the bookstore is, as a student in Alaska there just aren't many other places to go that have the kinds of treasures they have. I appreciate their stock of art supplies, clothing, school supplies (including yoga), bags, and fair trade items. The staff is always very friendly and helpful and their location is perfect now that all the construction has stopped. I do wish they would make their new sign more clear, several visitors I have talked to get very confused because you can't see the lettering of the green part and they think the bookstore is the main campus. I would also really like it if they put a clock on the sign like their used to be.
    Staff,services and product-
    Collaboration with FinAid so students can get their books by the time classes start if they are financially strapped.
    Availability of text books and supplies for all UAS classes. This is also a great place for the public to shop.  The gift section is a big draw for the community.
    Personally, I like having a physical location, a place with the particular environment and community feel inherent in the bookstore.
    It's a connection between the university and the community. Also, it is important for students to be able to buy supplies close to campus.
    It's not crowded like it was when it was in Mourant. Good quality merchandise. The exhibited art work. Helpful staff.
    An outlet for student art and UAS memorabilia
    As it stands, the bookstore is a nice convenient place to get my textbooks.  I can walk in, get a list of what I need, and be done and know that I'll have my books on time.  It would be a pain in the butt to get them if it wasn't there, and I don't trust the internet.
    showcase of local artwork, clothing, and well-priced art supplies
    The 10,000 Village and local art as well as small book section.
    Used books,supplies, art supplies,clothing and gifts. I think the bookstore should have some sort of a campus presence, but I also think it should maintain a presence in Auke Bay,which keeps the university connected to the entire community of Juneau.    
    N/A
    Location, employee demeanor and helpfulness, and the fun feel and decoration of the store.
    Having course texts /materials and basic UAS hoodies, jackets, other clothing.
    The essentials.
    The gifts and art supplies
    I love the selection of university sweatshirts, textbooks, and miscellaneous artsy things.
    variety of items
    the variety of books and merchandise available and the incredibly wonderful staff
    Customer service is fantastic
    Venue for distance students to order texts/other required.
    The helpful people who lurk in the schoolbooks sections and know exactly where to find what books you need for what class
    Selling UAS souvenirs and gifts
    Variety
    The website to look up what books are needed for the classes is clear and very helpful
    I'm not sure. I've only used it a couple of times.
    Great service and unique gifts
    N/A
    The unique gifts available to the public to purchase. I also appreciate the art supplies, exercise stuff, and clothes. It is my favorite store for gift shopping.
    its location to campus
    The only thing that the University should preserve is the online service attached to the bookstore. I find it necessary to find my book ISBNs.
    friendly and prompt service
  14.  
  15. Looking ahead, what changes or new or enhanced services should UAS consider for the bookstore?

    Valid Missing Mean
    32 23 NA
    Comments:
    The bookstore is great in how it enhances the community with special gifts from around the globe, art supplies, and easy access to those textbooks you don't have time to wait for.
    Lower price everything! I mean the bags and backpacks and laptop bags are soo nice! But at 60-70 bucks a piece, who could afford them? And it doesn't make much of a difference when they are on sale because a 10% discount on 50-60 dollar items doesn't even make a dent. I like the clothes too but they are expensive. Same with the notebook. We need more affordable items in there.
    Focus on students needs rather than gift items.  The multitude of candles, purses, decor lighting, and other non-essentials seem more focused towards the public.  Students have enough difficulty living within their means, bombarding them with pretty non-essentials in the student bookstore seems counter productive.
    I would like to see more events...
    less and less graphics because us online students have a very very SLOW internet services.
    The bookstore prices are incredibly expensive.  It would be nice to see other more Alaskan things in there too along with some of the fair trade stuff.  Also, as an MPA student, it would be nice to have the MPA textbooks available at the bookstore instead of through MBS Direct (especially because I think there are a lot of local people who do the program and that could also entice them to look around the bookstore and maybe buy stuff).
    Focus should be on financial sustainability. Students should be asked to pay higher fees or tuition for additional services, especially those services consumed by a minority of student body.
    Don't know.
    Either offer an online only bookstore with shipping or move the bookstore to main campus.  If the bookstore is on main campus, in the 15 minutes I have between classes, I will be more likely to look at UAS swag and consider buying some stuff.  :)
    It would be nice to be able to rent books over the course of a semester but I can't think of much else.
    na
    Less knick knacks, what is that all about?
    Perhaps consider a small, off-campus cafe/coffee shop attached to the bookstore.
    I suppose we need to convince our students to purchase their textbooks locally. Are books really just that much cheaper online? do online textbook clearinghouses pay more for book buy backs?
    I feel like the bookstore could and should reasonably remain just that (i.e. a bookstore.) However, clearly students are not patronizing it enough, else I'm guessing this discussion would not be occurring. I feel like it would be shame to lose the bookstore as a physical place. Perhaps moving it onto campus would help change things? incorporate it into the proposed student union or something like that maybe.
    Better deals for students to purchase and receive money or store credit back for their books
    Coffee shop in bookstore.  I know would compete with Waffle Co., but if move bookstore back to campus . . .
    Offer rental options.
    In regards to question 6:  The bookstore will NOT give out vouchers to students who's financial aid hasn't arrived at the school.  This is frustrating because financial aid never shows up and processed until after the semester starts.  They make very LITTLE effort to accommodate the students.  I have only been able to get a voucher when I e-mail them the letter with the check number and amount they will be getting.  Even then I sometimes do not get a voucher. I have sent in a letter just like this before AND called and talked to the lady in charge to make sure she got everything I needed in order to get a voucher.  She NEVER responded to my voucher application.  I get scholarships and grants because I cannot afford schooling on my own. I actually had to drop an entire semester before due to not getting a book voucher. My books cost around $700 dollars a semester and I definitely to not have that kind of money to buy my books.  I have attended other schools, KPC for example, who allow me to get a voucher as long as I have proof that they are giving me money.  If for some reason I don't get money the amount is already charged to my account and becomes my responsibility just like it would if I was not getting funding.  I feel that it is ridiculous that the bookstore is this unwilling to accommodate the students, especially distance students that get scholarships and grants.  I recommend reviewing and revising the bookstore policies and procedures to better accommodate your students.  Also, please make sure your staff reviews and responds to ALL bookstore voucher applications.  I find it ridiculous that I sent in an application, called, and sent an e-mail with more information and never received a response to my application.
    Lower prices- college students do not have large amounts of money and almost everything in the store is overpriced- makes it less likely for some students to purchase items other than textbooks.
    Having the basic tests, class materials and UAS gear. Simple, efficient.
    Too much other "stuff" in the current bookstore.  It's mind boggling, a distraction.
    I think that they need to cut down on the prices of things. I know that it's high quality stuff but it's way too expensive. I would like to see more artwork!
    needs no improvement
    Move it back on campus.
    They should either get rid of the "drop your backpack here" box OR move it inside, preferably behind the counter - no one feels comfortable leaving their backpack lying around, especially not in the entryway, while they shop. Also I think prices for college merchandise (like sweaters) should be lowered! We're already attending the school and it feels unfair that we have to drop $40 on a piece of clothing that we want already that's basically providing free advertisement for the school when we wear it around.
    Location on campus!
    Lowering the prices would be great. We are BROKE college students and it is hard to afford anything in there.
    I'm not sure. I've only used it a couple of times.
    Maybe cheaper books?
    N/A
    More art supplies. I also think UAS should advertise to the general public about what is available at the bookstore.
    Mainly continue on with/improve upon the website.
    self service checkouts
  16.  

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