Brought to the Surface: Bookstore

1/31/08

By Talena Shannon
Critic Columnist

The bookstore, what a nightmare! If the bookstore had ever bothered to ask the students their opinions of the service it provides it would reveal a negative response. The experience over the past few years that I’ve been here, have dwindled to critical levels.

Freshman year was simple, the books were all in on time and the shopping experience was, well, pleasant. However in the past few semesters I have experienced nothing but long lines, uneducated staff and a wait on book orders.

Spring semester 2008 has by far been the most appalling shopping experience I’ve had at the LSC bookstore or any retail establishment for that matter. I entered the store prepared with the list of books I needed for each class and my ID; I planned to purchase my books with my student account.

Two weeks prior I made my first visit to the bookstore. I chose to take a two week course in January prior to the start of the semester to help lighten my 21 credit load as I’m anticipating graduation this May. After the first day of the course, January 7th, I decided to go to the bookstore and purchase the required text and scope out the other books I would need for the semester. I got the book and went to the counter; I was told that I would not be able to return the book once it was purchased until the end of the semester. My classmates and I found this to be an unreasonable policy given that the very same course was also offered during the regular spring semester term and the books could then be bought by the next students. I decided not to purchase the book.

I found myself in the bookstore once again the day before classes started. I was greeted by a staff member as he offered to help me find the books I needed. I found all but one of the books I needed in a timely fashion and headed to the counter. The last one would have to be specially ordered and would take a while to arrive. I was the third person in line and three clerks were working the counters; I anticipated a short wait as I ran a checklist of groceries through my head since I planned to make lunch once I left the bookstore.

Apparently, I had overestimated the ability of the bookstore clerks. I noted the time as I was inviting a guest to join me for lunch and was planning out the rest of the day. I made the phone call to announce lunchtime and then looked to the counters. I noticed that all three clerks appeared to be at a standstill. I couldn’t believe my eyes, they all appeared to be staring at the wall or space; whatever it was they weren’t ringing in book orders and collecting payment. A fourth clerk could be found pacing between the three clerks and offering no solutions, as the line remained stagnant. The manager was at a separate counter and appeared to be oblivious to the situation showing no concern for the long wait time, and to top it off none of the clerks took it upon themselves to get her attention. Appalled at the situation I verbalized my frustration with a friend who was at the end of the line, which was now 15 people long and wrapping around the store blocking pathways. I thought if this was any other retailer there is no way I would wait in line for 30 minutes!

Finally, after I witnessed two students get turned away and one purchase their book, it is my turn. I approach the counter and hand the clerk my ID. I see utter confusion on her face as she enters my name, I then lean over so I can see the screen and point to my name for her; she thanks me. I am then told that my account has no money on it and I have to go to the business office. I know this not to be true and tell the clerk that I was at the store two weeks ago and there were no problems with my account, so there must be a mistake. Unsure of what to do the clerk turns to a coworker and tells her the problem. The second clerk then enters my name into her computer and sure enough her computer shows no problems with my account. I realize that this was the reason many other students had been turned away before me. I imagined them coming back down even more frustrated when they learned that the business office didn’t have a hold on their account.

Extremely frustrated at this point I calmly ask that my books be rung up on the other computer so that I can go home and cook Lunch. Suddenly there are four clerks and two computers devoted to my order. Astounded, I ask myself why it is taking so many people to figure out that all they have to do is ring up my order in the computer that is working properly and then I can go home. After all four people stare at the computer screen for 5 minutes with no words exchanged my order is finally rung up; I sigh and leave the bookstore 45 minutes after I entered. The clerk apologized for the wait; a nice sentiment but not sufficient.

Upon leaving the store, I asked myself is this an isolated incident or does this type of substandard service happen all the time? I was determined to find out. I decided to interview students in the snack bar and lounge. My findings did not surprise me. I was able to find one of the students who had been turned away just before I reached the counter, she told me that she had waited an hour and she had wasted her entire lunch break. I couldn’t believe my ears. Next I spoke with Michelle Bachand a student at LSC who told me that she “hates” going to the bookstore because of the service.

Other students expressed their concern as the high prices the bookstore charges. A few described the prices as “outrageous”. Two students enrolled in the same class told me they saved a whopping $115 on just one book when they shopped online instead of at the bookstore. This became of particular interest to me because recently many faculty members have mentioned an email they were sent reminding them of the contract the school has with Follett for book purchases, and that the bookstore would like to encourage students to purchase their books on campus. Personally, had I bought all of my books on campus I would have spent $606.00; that’s $100 over the amount the school allots a student to charge on his or her account. However, after shopping around online, on sites like amazon.com and half.com I found I could purchase all my textbooks for only $361 a savings of $245, that’s 40%.

I’m certain that all students would prefer to save money on their textbooks but many do not have the out of pocket money to do so. Problem solved, simply purchase your books at the bookstore until the return date is up; this year that date is February 7th. Then on February 12th students are issued their refund checks. That is unless the student applies for an early check. So, if you can live without your textbooks for 5 days in order to save a lot of money, I say go for it.

My final thoughts are provoked by the business major in me. I would like to question how an institution that promotes learning and has the resources within the business department to teach good management skills and business practices can also house the bookstore which clearly lacks this knowledge.

Do you have an issue at LSC or within our community that you would like “Brought to the Surface?” Send me an email.

The Three Count: John Cena: A Message To The Haters

1/31/08

By Timothy “Timmy” Kemp
Special to the Critic

This past Sunday night was the 21st annual Royal Rumble match, in which 30 of the top performers in the WWE compete for an opportunity to challenge for the championship of their choice at the main event of Wrestle Mania 24. It was a very entertaining match, but the shock of the night was the number thirty entrance of John Cena, returning from injury to win the contest. When his entrance music started playing in front of the sold out Madison Square Garden, the roof almost blew off the arena with even the haters of Cena cheering for him, even if it was just for a moment.

Surprisingly the next day, the majority of the internet wrestling community (IWC), was going ballistic about how “John Cena Sucks” and “he ruined a good match.” This hatred from some wrestling fans is not new to Cena as it has been going on for the past couple years. His main fan base consists of little kids, teenage girls and adult women. The question that I would like to ask the “nay-sayers” is what is it about John Cena that you despise so much? What has he really done to make the hatred flow through your veins? I am going to address some of the recent dislikes of Cena, and show you how I think it’s just ridiculous.

“Cena can’t wrestle. He uses the same five moves to end every match. It’s too predictable.”
Although I will admit that his move list isn’t at the level of a Dean Malenko, Chris Benoit or Eddie Guerrero, but that doesn’t mean he is a bad wrestler. Just think about how Hulk Hogan was in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. He finished just about every match by ‘Hulking’ up, pointing the finger, three punches to the head, a big boot to the head, and a leg drop. Hogan did that for years and people believe his the greatest of all time, and rightfully so. Why is it that Cena does the same type of thing and people think it’s a disgrace? I don’t get it.

“Cena’s title reigns go on too long. Vince keeps the title on him so he can sell merchandise. He never gives anyone else an opportunity. “
Let me just say that the longest WWE Championship reign that Cena had was just last year, and it was only a year and a month. Going back to Hogan, he held the same title for four years in the ‘80s. I personally think that people’s attention spans nowadays are a lot less than they were twenty years ago, and they want things to be spontaneous. However, if you look at the little kids in the audience, they love John Cena. He is their Hulk Hogan, and they want to see him as champion.

“Cena’s spinner belt is an insult to the legacy to the championship.”
A couple questions come to mind for you haters: was it a disgrace when Stone Cold Steve Austin had his Smokin' Skull Championship belt? Was it a disgrace when Ted Dibiase created his own Million Dollar Championship? Was it a disgrace when Tazz created his own FTW Championship in the original ECW? Of course not. Sometimes a championship is made in order to fit a character, or even simply to sell merchandise. It doesn’t devalue the title because it’s still a representative of the legacy. Just look at the spinner belt, and tell me what is really wrong with it? It still says WWE Champ and tt has the traditional eagle on the top.

I honestly believe that you haters out there don’t like John Cena because he’s different. He is not like champions you’ve seen in the past, so you “boo” him. However, what you have to realize is that whether you love him or hate him, he gets a reaction out of everyone in the audience, and that is the most important quality to have as a champion competitor. John Cena’s legacy has only just begun, and I see him have a very bright future.

Holy Sheet: Sex Tips

1/31/08

By Jordan Royer
Sex Columnist

Sick of the same old boring bump and grind. Tried all the crazy positions I have mentioned in previous articles but just can’t keep the sparks flying? Well, maybe I have some answers to spice things up a little.

This week is stilted a little towards what women can do to get their man to make it worth their while. Having sex in the morning or at night, or maybe both? Try a little daytime dirty and that just may give you the change you are looking for. Call your partner up and tell them what they’re missing since they’re not at home. Boyfriend at class for the day or they’re sitting around campus wasting time? Give him a call and tell him you’re waiting for him for a little noontime nooky, or that you are wearing something sexy and you wish he was there. Get his taste buds tingling and when he shows up he might just rock your world.

So you are in the same sexual routine and you really want to switch it up. Why not try a little role reversal or role playing. If you are in a relationship where your partner always takes charge when it comes to sexual relations, switch it up, and even better, don’t tell them. Next time you are in the mood, don’t wait around for them to also get in the mood, take control. For the ladies, just grab your man and pin him down or get stern when you tell him what is about to happen. If he is use to being the boss it will catch him off guard and just may arouse a different part of him. As far as role play is concerned, just explore. Be someone you have always wanted to be, whether it’s the nice little teacher or the sexy stripper. Don’t know how to bring it up or introduce it to your partner? Try dropping hints. Leave certain clothes out that make him wonder/question why it is there or say things that get the wheels turning in their head.

Probably my favorite way to feel naughty and get turned on is some dirty talk in public. I don’t mean be blatant with your talk, but tell your partner just what is going through that horny little head of yours. Sorry, a little pun intended. Whisper what you want to do to them while you touch their thighs or rub their shoulders. Tell them what you have planned for when you get home. Best part about this is where you do it. Don’t tease someone where it is easy to escape, do it when they least expect it. Make them wait until class is done or until your parents leave from an unexpected visit. Be sneaky and sensual and drag it out as much as you can. By the time it happens they will most likely be so built up inside you will have to hang on tight.

It is easier said than done, switching up your sex style that is, but why not give it a try. I will leave you with this fun little bit- Sex is like math, you add the place, subtract the clothes, divide the legs and pray you don’t multiply. Oh yeah, one more thing, be safe!

Position of the Week- Downward Driver