This content was published: March 13, 2007. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

Hearing on rising textbook costs at PSU

Photos and story by

In June 2006, U.S. Representatives Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) and David Wu (D-OR) asked the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance to conduct a one-year study with three objectives: to investigate further the problem of rising textbook prices; to determine the impact of rising textbook prices on students’ ability to afford a postsecondary education; and to make recommendations to Congress, the Secretary, and other stakeholders on what can be done to make textbooks more affordable for students.

As part of this study, the Advisory Committee will host the third and final public hearing on Friday, April 13 at Portland State University from approximately 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. PSU is located in the congressional district of Rep. David Wu, who will join the Advisory Committee for this hearing and provide the keynote address.

The hearing will include testimony from organizations and individuals from the area who are working to make textbooks more affordable. Information gathered will be used to inform recommendations in the final report, due to Congress by May 2007. For additional information on the textbook study, please see the fact sheet posted on the Advisory Committee’s website at: ed.gov/ACSFA.

Registration Information

If you are interested in attending the meeting please register in advance at this website:

Individuals interested in providing testimony to the Advisory Committee during the public comment session should email the following information to ACSFA@ed.gov:

  1. Name and contact information
  2. Brief biography (no longer than one paragraph)
  3. Brief statement characterizing the nature of your remarks

Time will be limited and applicants will be honored on a first come, first served basis. Advisory Committee staff will contact speakers before the hearing to confirm their participation. If you are unable to participate in this hearing, written testimony is welcomed.

Registration for public comment will close on Friday, March 16. General registration will close on Friday, March 30.

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »