The protest, said to be the largest student rally in California since the 1960’s Free Speech Movement lasted around two hours. Students and faculty (many who cancelled or re-arranged lectures to join the demonstrations) paraded with placards, chanting in response to recent job cuts in the universities technical department, and plans to increase tuition fees by an additional 30%.

Online, Facebook and Twitter protests were also happening, with over 1,000 faculty members signing an online petition to reduce budget cuts.

The budget cuts proposed by State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and university officials are a response to the states multi-billion dollar budget crisis. $813 million has been reduced from the University of California’s budget for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Twelve of the large North American publishers now have electronic versions of their textbooks available to downlaod through the CourseSmart website including John Wiley & Sons Inc., McGraw Hill Higher Education and Nelson Education. Frank Lyman, Executive Vice-President of CourseSmart said:

“Textbooks right now are very much a print business, but more and more students are aware that they have a choice. I don’t think it’s the end of the print textbook business. But for a lot of students out there, this is a better way to learn and study and it’s a better fit for their lifestyle.”

Figures from a CourseSmart press release state that: “More than one third of the most popular college textbook titles (those expected to sell at least 200 copies nationwide this Fall) are now available in eTextbook versions from CourseSmart, according to data compiled by industry analysts at R.R. Bowker’s PubTrack Business Intelligence Division. Because of this dramatic increase in available eTextbooks, millions of college students can now choose to buy their assigned textbook as an eTextbook. ”

The response so far from students and academics has been positive. Lyman said: “Most institutions are accepting that (students) want a variety of ways to access their materials. It’s at an early stage and it will be interesting to see how many institutions take a proactive approach.”

Students are also increasingly active in protecting the environment so many students will also be attracted to the prospect of turning to virtual textbooks for the environmental benefits.

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The e-book proposal, due to begin next August, is part of Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s larger plan to prevent bankruptcy in the west coast state. A standard textbook costs the state just under $100. According to state officials the switch to e-books could save millions of dollars.

“Textbooks are outdated” said Schwarzenegger. “Our kids get their information from the internet, downloaded onto their iPods and in Twitter feeds to their cell phones…so why are California’s school students still forced to lug around antiquated, heavy, expensive textbooks?”

The decision by Schwarzenegger has received a mixed reaction. For some, the scheme presents opportunity for districts and states to personalise textbooks to their own curriculum, and allows for information to be continually updated.

However, critics of the scheme have expressed concern over:
• the cost of training educators to use the e-books effectively
• the cost of equipping schools with the necessary PC’s
• the implications for students who not have access to a computer at home.

What do you think? i-studentadvisor would love to hear your thoughts on the scheme. E-mail us your comments at: editorial@i-studentadvisor.com