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New committee to improve and advertise bookstore

The Bradley Bookstore is now offering a lot more than textbooks.

Last week, the first meeting for the newly formed Bookstore Advisory Committee took place.

“The committee’s main purpose is to educate and inform the Bradley community of the operations, benefits, services and staff of the bookstore,” said senior business management major Yolanda Grajeda, who is a member of the committee.

The committee is strategizing ways in which the bookstore can share their news around campus, especially focusing on advertising information about buying and renting books. They are also planning on getting feedback from students about what they would like to see in the bookstore, as well as any concerns.

Sophomore history and English major and fellow committee member Becka Bartel said she agreed with Grajeda.

“This committee is dedicated to improving the bookstore’s services to benefit Bradley’s students,” she said.

The committee consists of a combination of students, faculty and staff to make an important and powerful mix of people.

“By partnering students and faculty alike, the committee ensures an all-around representation of the bookstore’s needs and wants,” said freshman international business major Dashawn Cason, also a member.

While joining the committee sounds tempting for students looking to better their resume, or for those who have a genuine interest in the bookstore, the membership process is quite exclusive, bookstore manager Paul Kroenke said.

“Students get involved through [Vice President for Student Affairs] Dr. Galsky,” he said. “He’s trying to get students from different groups around campus with a broad spectrum of representation.”

Grajeda was appointed by Galsky to represent the Division of Student Affairs Office, while Bartel is on behalf of the Orientation Department. Cason is a Senator in University Hall.

“At one of the Senate meetings I volunteered to be on this committee to better understand bookstore mechanics,” said Cason.

Even though the group has only met once, Bradley has a lot of expectations from the committee.

“[There will be] definitely more advertisement to ensure that students, staff and faculty know about the bookstore and how renting and buying books from the bookstore benefits the university,” said Grajeda.

However, purchasing books is not all the committee is about, Bartel said.

“Bradley can expect this committee to be a resource for current information and to be open to constructive criticism and comments,” she said.

Cason said the bookstore should become more user friendly through the committee’s efforts.

“I am sure that through the combined efforts of the staff and customers, the bookstore can and will be more user friendly,” said Cason.

Students should be ready to give feedback to the committee, although a plan to gather that feedback has not been devised yet.

“I’m not sure how this will be done just yet, but I know we will eventually ask students for feedback,” said Grajeda. “Whether it be through a survey or questionnaire, we would appreciate any feedback.”

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