Bemidji State News Reporting S'11

BSU and Barnes and Noble end their ten-year relationship

Follett signs contract to manage the BSU bookstore

By Nicole Solum & Kara Smyth

Every college campus has a bookstore where students can buy university apparel and textbooks for classes. For the past ten years, the BSU bookstore has been under contract with Barnes and Noble. But change is coming. Follett will be the new manager of the BSU bookstore beginning in mid-April.

Every ten years the university is required to solicit bids for a bookstore operating contract. Bill Maki, vice president for finance and administration, stated in an e-mail, “We are required by state law to conduct a public access process at a minimum of every 10 years.” The only two responders to the bid were Barnes and Noble and Follett. The process of searching for new management began last October, with a submission deadline in mid-November.

A committee completed interviews and reviewed evaluations and proposals from both contenders. The committee comprised three students elected by the student senate, one faculty member, the university business manager, and the director of procurement and logistics. The bookstore committee made a recommendation of Follett to the university cabinet, and they then made a final decision to proceed with Follett as new management. Barnes and Noble employee Dustin Enockson said, “It wasn’t Barnes and Noble’s decision to leave Bemidji. We definitely wanted to stay here.”

The criteria to make a final decision came in four categories, stated Maki. Expressed understanding of proposal objectives is weighted 10%, quality and comprehensive proposal was weighted 30%, qualifications were weighted 30%, and the cost value to Bemidji State University was weighted at 30%. Each of these criteria categories also had detailed objectives that needed to be met. The potential management team had to demonstrate their awareness of the school’s academic programs, and have knowledge and experience on industry specific software that will be available to students and faculty for the use of purchasing books, software, and other items needed for class requirements. The candidates also had to have a detailed description of the proposed commission rate to be paid to the school, and other financial and capital investments that may be proposed. Based on the criteria, Follet was selected over Barnes and Noble.

Current Barnes and Noble co-managers of the BSU Bookstore Alissa Nollan and Dustin Enockson understand that it’s in the best interest of the university and understand why the change needed to occur. “My understanding is that it came down to money,” said Nollan. “Follett offered more money, and, with all the current budget cuts at the university, it was in their best interest to choose Follett.” Nollan also mentioned that the campus community will not see much of a change within the bookstore; it will virtually look the same.

Follett manages more than 900 university bookstores and is based in Illinois. “We are thrilled to be a part of the BSU community,” said Elio Distaola, director of campus relations for Follett. “We will be a bookstore full of choices, with the best service with the most choices for students.” Follett will be taking care of buying back books for this semester just like Barnes and Noble has done in the past. They will also be buying out all products that have the BSU emblem on them. Enockson said most of the current stock in the bookstore now will stay there and some of the items will be traded out to other Barnes and Noble stores.

“They are both strong companies in providing management,” stated Maki. “The area that Follett edged out Barnes and Noble that gave them the advantage was the cost value to the university.” Many of the existing staff and managers will remain in the store under Follett's management. This change in management, according to Distaola, is something that is going to benefit the university and campus community.