With the bankruptcy of the Wallace bookstore chain on April 12, just before Spring finals, students were faced with the very real possibility of being forced off campus to look for their required materials and supplies.
The three-year contract with Wallace was nearing its “renew or quit” deadline when the home office unexpectedly shut down. Follett, a national college bookstore chain, stepped neatly into the gap to provide Cerritos students with unbroken service two weeks before summer semester.
Corrie Thibodeaux, store manager under both Wallace and Follet, was grateful for the quick and overwhelming support of the new corporation. “They pulled managers from all the local stores around here to help us put it together.”
Although the bookstore folding was without warning, no interruption of student services occurred due to a well rehearsed corporate vision implemented by the home office.
Director of Operations Wayne Nunnery said, “It was amazing. They knew what they wanted that bookstore to look like before they even set foot on campus.”
Most students did not even notice the changeover. “There’s more students, new lines … better access.” stated drafting Major Albert Granados.
Other students cited the cash-only line, the new shelving rows and the improved organization systems as positive aspects. First time student Juliana Taillion said “It looks pretty ok to me, I can find everything I need.”
A major concern to the college and to the Associated Students of Cerritos College (ASCC) was the status of the staff and student employees working in the store under Wallace. According to Nassrin Boyadloo, ASCC president and student trustee, “That was one of the first things we asked them (Follet) about.”
Follet retained all returning student workers and staff employees at their same pay scale. Additionally, student workers have a good sense of camaraderie with the new corporation and their manner of doing business. Student employee Michelle Byrd said, “I get the feeling of good attitudes with everybody. People like the place.”
The Follet hiring policy is to employ as many Cerritos students as necessary and to accommodate their class schedule as much as possible. This gives students workers the dual benefit of not having to commute between work and school.
Some of the improvements brought by the new management are the additional registers, the on-line ordering and the overnight ordering of specialty items. “If we don’t have a general edition book, we can probably get it within 24 to 48 hours.” said Thibodeaux. Specialty items such as law books or reference materials take no more than 3 to 5 days.
The online purchasing allows students to buy their materials at home and then pick up their items at the will-call desk without having to wait in line. The new system was overwhelmed by the fall rush, but should be ready for full operation by the spring semester.
The Follet return policy is also very accommodating of students who are petitioning classes and are leery of buying $100 books for classes they may not be able to get into. For textbooks, students have seven days from point of purchase (with receipt) to receive a full refund. Thibodeaux has extended that date until Aug 28. If a student drops the class, Thibodeaux will give them an additional two weeks with a drop slip until Sept. 12.
Follet maintains a 30-day return policy for non-textbook items (with receipt) that are still in re-saleable condition from the time of purchase.
Psychology student Laura Weissenberg needed to exchange books from one class to another. “He (Thibodeaux) made it easy for me to get my money back so I can get the book I needed.”
Students are also encouraged to purchase their items at the bookstore rather than going off campus to find better prices. “We will price match any competitor’s listed price, so they might as well come here” declared Thibodeaux. “We have everything students might require, plus all the generated revenue goes right back into the student fund.”
According to the fiscal contract between Cerritos College District and Follett Higher Education Group, the college is guaranteed a minimum annual return of $275,000. The projected earning are estimated to be as high as $320,000. This revenue goes directly into the ASCC budget that helps fund student activities, clubs and events such as the free In-n-Out burger days.
