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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 30, No. 10. 1967.

Campus Bookshop Could Eventuate

Campus Bookshop Could Eventuate

Students may yet see a university bookshop on campus by next year. It is expected the University Council will shortly consider proposals on the question.

However a site for the bookshop is likely to prove a major problem as most suitable places are already taken by other essential amenities.

Students have been talking about the idea of a bookshop on campus for over 25 years. An editorial in Salient in the April 13, 1944 issue, suggested students should establish their own bookshop in the new Student Union Building dealing directly with overseas publishers.

Correspondence appeared in Salient on the question frequently up to 1963 when it was proposed provision for a bookshop be made in the extensions to the Student Union Building. This was not done.

Peter Blizard, who was a presidential candidate in the executive elections in 1963, gave Salient some figures on profits bookshops made on university texts.

Subsequently a letter was received from the Prime Minister's secretary suggesting the figures were incorrect.

In 1964 negotiations were held between the Association and the University Bookshop which is a fully owned subsidiary of Whitcombe and Tombs. These were unsuccessful.

In 1965 the Students' Association handed the question over to the university which established a subcommittee of the Professorial Board under Professor John Roberts. It is possible the committee will recommend calling tenders for starting a bookshop rather than the university itself being directly involved.

It is understood the committee will shortly present a report to the University Council giving its recommendations. Asked to comment, the Vice Chancellor, Dr. J. Williams, said, "I have seen no report."

If tenders are called it is possible a bookshop would be ready by the beginning of next year.

Students appear as concerned about the inadequacies of the present setup as they were in 1944.

At the annual general meeting a motion was passed supporting in principle the establishment of a bookshop.

President Douglas White told Salient. "The Students' Association considers a bookshop on campus is highly desirable and hopes one will be in operation for next year." The University Council meets near the end of August. Students will have to wait until then before knowing whether a long cherished project will be realised.