Forum held to answer questions about the decision to privatize UNC Student Stores

Students, administrators and faculty shared their concerns about the privatization of UNC Student Stores on Friday. 

Brad Ives, vice chancellor for campus enterprises, explained the decision behind choosing to privatize with Barnes and Noble College at the forum. 

“Going through this process and hearing the pros and cons and working through all the presentations that we saw, what we ended up with was a consensus opinion around Barnes and Noble — somebody that fulfilled the criteria we were looking for,” Ives said.

Charles Streeter, chairperson of the Employee Forum, called the deal a compromise.

“It is not what we wanted, but it is something that you can understand and that the Employee Forum can get behind, because the alternatives could be a whole lot worse.”

An advisory committee might be established to advise Barnes and Noble College on how to work with people at UNC and what the University expects of them, Ives said.

Junior Nicholas Hatcher asked about the transparency. 

Harry Edwards, a member of the advisory committee that originally heard proposals for Student Stores’ future, said applications for the new committee would be sent out to the whole campus. The goal is for students, administrators and faculty who care about Student Stores to make up the advisory committee. 

Ives said there were four main points that caused the proposal evaluation committee to settle where they did.

The first point was the protection of jobs. Ives said all 48 full-time employees would still have jobs. Under the privatization of Barnes and Noble College, Ives said the level at which students and part-time employees are hired would remain the same.

The second point was student scholarships.

“We’ve had $27.5 million contributed to scholarships over the last 60 years from Student Stores operations,” Ives said. “In the 10-year term in this contract with Barnes and Noble, we’re expecting to get at least that or maybe more.”

Textbook pricing was Ives’ third point. Under Barnes and Noble’s management, Ives said 10 percent will be taken off of textbook prices. There will also be a price match guarantee.

Fourth on the list was Bull’s Head Bookshop. Under the new management, Bull’s Head Bookshop will move upstairs and expand, with more lounge space overlooking the Pit.

Sophomore Alexander Peeples still had concerns about the bookstore. 

“The book selection often does not line up exactly with what might sell 100 percent best,” Peeples said. “But … for me, that’s what I consider a unique part of Bull’s Head. How are book selections going to be chosen?”

Ives said the new book selection would be customized towards what people want to read and the culture of the campus. The advisory committee for Student Stores would help to manage that and to stay in touch with UNC’s market. Ives said currently only 30 percent of the books being carried are what people want to buy, and Barnes and Noble College will steer the selection to better fit the community.

Although privatization starts July 1, construction is not projected to start until winter 2016.

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