The University has signed a contract with Chapters, which gives the bookstore chain the authority to manage the McGill Bookstore for the next five years. Are you in favour of this new arrangement?




Annmarie Adams, Associate Professor of Architecture

I'm against it. Since the final deal is confidential, it's hard to know exactly how much we stand to gain. And from what I've read in the Reporter, the process has been pretty muddled from the beginning. But I'm mostly concerned about the effects of McGill's decision on the larger world of books. Is it the University's place to help Chapters kill off their competitors? It's like asking McDonald's to run the cafeterias or Holiday Inn to manage the residences. I might be convinced if the deal were more transparent and the University's profits were directed to our own endangered library collections. But hey, I buy diapers at Wal-Mart, so who am I to talk?



Leon Glass, Professor of Physiology

The bookstore can be improved by increasing the selection of texts in academic disciplines; improving utilization of floor and shelf space; adding amenities such as specialty food and beverage counters, magazine racks, and reading nooks; and increasing the employment of students. I would have preferred if McGill had implemented these changes itself so that the resulting financial benefits would accrue directly to the McGill community. What about other McGill operations -- residences and food services, parking, the Faculty Club? I urge the McGill administration to act today with regard to these operations to improve the quality of service, to enhance the financial return to the University, and to increase the employment of students. Or will we wake up tomorrow to read in The Gazette that these too have been outsourced?



Jane Jackel, Library Assistant, Howard Ross Management Library

No, I don't support the agreement. I find it difficult to understand why the University would contract out a profitable operation, especially since Chapters has no experience in the academic book market. Also, since the staff will remain McGill employees and the University will continue to provide services, I really don't see where the savings will be coming from. Chapters must be expecting to gain financially from the agreement; why would McGill not want to reap that profit for themselves?



Jennifer Towell, Annual Fund Officer, Development and Alumni Relations

When I first heard about the Chapters idea, my reaction was, "Why do we need a big chain to handle our business -- is McGill turning into a shopping mall?" As a non-academic employee at McGill, I was also concerned that the bookstore staff weren't being sufficiently consulted and informed about the situation. However, the agreement appears to provide protection to the staff and to the University. It remains to be seen what the effect on students and other clients will be.