University of Virginia Library

Co-Op Found
Unfeasible

In his memorandum to
President Shannon, Vice President
Williams listed what he saw as the
three options open in the bookstore
controversy: "1)to continue the
present 'unwritten practice' and to
exclude hardback textbooks from
the bookstore; 2) to open up the
bookstore to the sale of hardbacks;
or 3) to permit as other institutions
have done, the establishment
through competitive bidding of a
private bookstore."

Re-analysis

Although the Vice President
called upon the University Union
Committee, which govern the
Newcomb Hall Bookstore to
re-analyze all three alternative, it is
likely that the third alternative will
be quickly discarded. The present
Newcomb store is in the black and
contributes all its profits to the
University.

Second Alternative

In discussing the second
alternative. Vice President Williams
claimed "the sale of hardbacks over
a period to time would
undoubtedly result either in a need
to further expand the bookstore or
to place restriction on book orders.
At the present there seems to be no
additional room for the bookstore
in the need to build a separate
building for the bookstore."

"Not only would the cost of the
building have to be amortized from
the sale of books," he continued,
"but the present rental income, and
profits which go to Newcomb Hall
and to the University Union activities
would be lost. This will be a
rather substantial amount this
year."

Inadequate Space

Although there is already
inadequate space for a full service
bookstore on the Grounds and the
situation will worsen if the
University follows its projected
enrollment growth pattern. Vice
President Williams did not discuss
the possibility of a large scale
expansion of bookstore facilities
paid for out of University funds
other than bookstore profits.