Beginning this quarter, the Riverpoint campus has lost its EWU bookstore for the foreseeable future.

Mary Voves, the EWU vice president of business and finance, stated in a board of trustees meeting on Jan. 25 that the bookstore was no longer economically feasible. She blamed the economy and online textbook resources as outside influences for the closure. Voves also stated that the EWU bookstore’s “physical presence isn’t that important anymore.” She did not mention the new partnership with WSU.

Though EWU bookstore has lost its independent storefront, it continues to live vicariously through the WSU Bookie across the street from the Phase I building at Riverpoint. All Riverpoint textbooks that were available through the EWU bookstore in the Schade Tower are now available at the Bookie. Craig Thorsen, branch store manager at the Bookie, stated that this is a permanent fix for EWU Riverpoint textbook-needs through a partnership between the universities.

At press time, the vast majority of Riverpoint course textbooks are available. If EWU Riverpoint professors work more closely with the Bookie now, all Riverpoint textbooks will be available starting next quarter, according to Thorsen. “We would like to carry all the textbooks for every class on [the Riverpoint] campus,” Thorsen said. He emphasized the need to create relationships with EWU professors to get book orders in to the Bookie. That way, the Bookie can purchase more used textbooks for next quarter, putting money back into EWU students’ pockets on both ends of the cycle. “It’s a win-win,” Thorsen said.

Here’s everything you need to know at a glance about the new Riverpoint EWU/WSU Bookie partnership:

•The pricing is not marked up overall, but pricing is different from EWU. WSU sets book prices and prices will not be fluctuating.

•Those with EWU book scholarships cannot redeem them at the WSU Bookie, but Thorsen would like to see that happen in the future.

•Textbook options include new and used textbooks, a great rental program, and eBooks.

•No theatre, sports tickets, or other auxiliary products, like EWU gear and clothing, is available at the Bookie at this time.

•Distance learning textbooks are not available at the Bookie.

•While they are fully staffed right now, they are open to hiring EWU students. If you’re interested in working at the Bookie in the future, go to the Barnes and Noble College website under, ‘Careers,’ to check for any openings and apply online.

The Easterner went to the Phase I building at Riverpoint to ask a few students about how they have been impacted by the closure and their thoughts on the university’s decision to close the independent bookstore and consolidate with WSU.

Joachim Zver, an EWU business major, said that he while he did know the independent EWU bookstore is closed, he was unaware that he could get textbooks for Eastern courses at the WSU Bookie. Shawn Rosman, another EWU business major, was all informed of the new partnership. Natlya Dychenko, yet another EWU business major, also knew about the closure but did not know she could buy her Riverpoint course textbooks at the Bookie.

Joachim Zver
EWU Senior
College of Business and Public Administration

Zver and Rosman buy every textbook from the university, and thus the closure has had a greater impact on them. Dychenko told us she has a tendency to purchase her books wherever she can get the best deal.

When asked if they think how the Riverpoint bookstore closing reflects EWU’s attitude towards the satellite campus, responses were mixed.

“I think it reflects not a very good attitude because it’s going to make students have to travel if they don’t know that the Bookie [has their textbooks].”, Zver said. He also mentioned the differences in prices since the consolidation, “The scantrons were 18 cents at the bookstore, now they’re 20 cents [at the Bookie]. Students care about that kind of stuff.” After a moment, Zver added that he would have preferred EWU keep an independent bookstore.

Shawn Rosman
EWU Senior
College of Business and Public Administration

Rosman responded with, “It definitely doesn’t reflect great, but if you’re at the university and you need your books, now, you’re probably going to be getting them offline because I don’t want to drive out to Cheney. Not that it’s that far, but I wouldn’t care to drive out there for one book.”

Dychenko feels that the consolidation is an inconvenience.

Natlya Dyachenko
EWU Junior
College of Business and Public Administration

When asked about whether they think the bookstore closing is a sign that the Riverpoint campus won’t be seeing expansions or new services, like a gym or dining hall, any time soon, responses were more apprehensive.

Zver said, “Not necessarily. I don’t think there’s really a need for a gym out here. There’s definitely a need for someplace to eat.” Rosman felt differently, saying, “Yeah. [if] they’re not going to keep a bookstore here, they’re not planning on expanding a ton.” Dychenko said she is unsure of the future of the Riverpoint campus based upon the bookstore closing.