History students kicked off the fall semester by selling affordable textbooks.
A used book drive was hosted by the History Department Student Council (DSC) in the ARC on Sept. 3 to 5. Students donated or purchased textbooks and novels at a discounted rate.
The impetus for the book drive was the growing price of textbooks, DSC co-president’s Sophie Sterling and Eoin Thompson said in an interview with The Journal. The cost of books and supplies across all faculties range from $1,100 to $5,821, excluding the price of technology.
The book drive embodies the democratic principles the presidents ran their campaign on. They want to make important information free and accessible to history students, Thompson explained.
“Institutions of learning and [the] ability to go to school should not be reserved for exclusive cases,” Thompson said.
While some history students use online textbooks to learn, reading physical copies helps scholars engage more with the material, Thompson explained. Utilizing a used textbook allows the student to see pieces of information past s found interesting and noteworthy.
“What we’re selling is history itself. The ability to have a book that has those elements of wear and tear can help you connect with the material,” Thompson said.
Funds garnered from the book drive council events, including a “resistance and regrowth” history conference where students will have the opportunity to present their research projects and receive from their peers. Thompson and Sterling invite history professors to speak at the event as well as academic publishers who can identify student-led research projects that interest them.
“The workshop is designed for students to share their research and progress with other students in an environment that isn’t so nerve-wracking,” Thompson said.
Money raised from the book drive will also be used to subsidize museum visits. Last year, the DSC helped fund student’s tours of the Kingston Penitentiary.
History students interested in organizing events can apply for several positions in the DSC. The deadline to apply is Sept. 14.
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