2008 Woodie Awards
'Perfidy' at Annex
Store manager poses as parent to intercept reading list
William McGuinness, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: News
Herold estimates that once the University's textbook annex acquires a course reading list, his sales for the books ordered drops around 70 percent.
Lenson's class alone generates roughly $20,250, and he was disturbed enough by Kahler's tactics to write to the University's vice chancellor of administration and finance, Joyce Hatch.
In his e-mail, he said the annex had created "mirror shelves" in the past, ones that mimic those at Amherst Books.
"I am asking that this shelf be dismantled, since it carries my name but does not originate with me," " Lenson said. "When a contractor acts in a manner contrary to the ethics of the academy, we have a responsibility to put a stop to it."
Mitch Gaslin, who runs Food for Thought Books, a non-profit, workers' collective, cited instances when individuals were paid to come into his store and copy book titles. He could not link these to employees of the University's bookstore but did note a truck driver complained to him that a University bookstore employee climbed into his truck to copy titles on boxes while he was inside.
"Professors make a conscious decision to support local business," Gaslin said. "To have [a representative] from Follet find their way into the middle of it messes it up."
According to University spokesman Patrick Callahan, Kahler was reprimanded by the vice president at Follett, the private firm that has the contract for the bookstore.
In a statement, Callahan said the director of Auxiliary Services at UMass, who oversees the contract with Follett Higher Education Group, has also sent messages of apology to 15 faculty members who were involved in these incidents. Both UMass officials and those from Follett have given assurances this will not happen again.
Follett has a section of its Web site devoted to values and ethics.
"From our policies and procedures to our corporate values and charitable contributions, it is our ethics and our sense of corporate responsibility that define Follett as an organization," the site reads.
William McGuinness can be reached at wmcguinn@gmail.com.
Lenson's class alone generates roughly $20,250, and he was disturbed enough by Kahler's tactics to write to the University's vice chancellor of administration and finance, Joyce Hatch.
In his e-mail, he said the annex had created "mirror shelves" in the past, ones that mimic those at Amherst Books.
"I am asking that this shelf be dismantled, since it carries my name but does not originate with me," " Lenson said. "When a contractor acts in a manner contrary to the ethics of the academy, we have a responsibility to put a stop to it."
Mitch Gaslin, who runs Food for Thought Books, a non-profit, workers' collective, cited instances when individuals were paid to come into his store and copy book titles. He could not link these to employees of the University's bookstore but did note a truck driver complained to him that a University bookstore employee climbed into his truck to copy titles on boxes while he was inside.
"Professors make a conscious decision to support local business," Gaslin said. "To have [a representative] from Follet find their way into the middle of it messes it up."
According to University spokesman Patrick Callahan, Kahler was reprimanded by the vice president at Follett, the private firm that has the contract for the bookstore.
In a statement, Callahan said the director of Auxiliary Services at UMass, who oversees the contract with Follett Higher Education Group, has also sent messages of apology to 15 faculty members who were involved in these incidents. Both UMass officials and those from Follett have given assurances this will not happen again.
Follett has a section of its Web site devoted to values and ethics.
"From our policies and procedures to our corporate values and charitable contributions, it is our ethics and our sense of corporate responsibility that define Follett as an organization," the site reads.
William McGuinness can be reached at wmcguinn@gmail.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 10
Ed Cutting
posted 9/03/08 @ 1:21 PM EST
This is a public records issue. The Annex (and everyone else) has a LEGAL RIGHT to the professor's book listing and should she give it to one vendor and not all, that sounds a whole lot like a violation of the state ethics law. (Continued…)
Book Guy
posted 9/04/08 @ 8:31 PM EST
I'm not the biggest fan of Follett, but the on campus bookstore should get a copy of every book request and so should all of the off-campus stores.
How would you feel if you were a student on financial aid only available through the campus bookstore? How would you feel if your parents gave you 1 check to get your books. (Continued…)
Cora
posted 9/04/08 @ 11:55 PM EST
Book Guy: if that's Follett's argument, then they should make that argument publicly, and talk to everyone involved, not assume false identities on the internet to get booklists. (Continued…)
Lukas R. Matthews
posted 9/05/08 @ 2:13 PM EST
Wow, what an idiot.
Tiffany Nelson
posted 9/05/08 @ 2:42 PM EST
This article makes EVERYONE INVOLVED sound like a bunch of idiots. Why can't we just give our book information to all the stores in town? This only hurts the students. (Continued…)
Textbooks
posted 9/05/08 @ 3:35 PM EST
Its soo dumb to even buy books from these expensive textbook stores...just buy them online...amazon..or half.com Its always cheaper there..even with shipping. (Continued…)
Giselle
posted 9/10/08 @ 6:24 PM EST
Why doesn't Ken Kahler assume the role of a proactive Store Director? Rather than having to lie, he could actually establish good relations and rapport with his referral sources - LIKE THE FACULTY. (Continued…)
fnurklur
posted 10/14/08 @ 7:34 PM EST
Wow, this is a mess. Hope it all get sorted out QUICKLY
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