Can't Find Books? Don't Blame The Coop Now, Professors Say

Although the word isn't in from students yet, many professors say that the Harvard Coop is doing an adequate job this fall in stocking text books for their courses.

Traditionally the focus of professors' frustration over late book orders, the Coop this year is crediting a new computer system for its improved record in timely text-buying.

While many professors say some of their students have had trouble locating course books, they often point to mistakes by publishers--and the students themselves--when assigning blame.

Owen J. Gingerich, professor of astronomy and the history of science, says that the Coop is often blameless when books come in late.

Many of the delays in the arrival of textbooks are the fault of publishers who are slow in reprinting out-of-stock books, says Gingerich, who teaches Science A-17, "The Astronomical Perspective."

"Sometimes the Coop isn't out of books that students can't find," says Assistant Professor of Government Stephen Macedo. He says some of the students in his class, Government 10, "Introduction to Political Philosophy," could not find course books because space limitations had caused the Coop to stack them at the end of the aisles.

Despite positive marks from many professors, some course leaders say they have defected from the Coop in search of more efficient book buying.

Assistant Professor of Philosophy Frederick Neuhouser says he ordered the books for Philosophy 141, "Marx," through Revolution Books this year for the first time. Neuhouser says his "vague leftist sympathy" had brought him to Revolution Books, which stocks various radical tracts as well as some course books.

And Professor of Romance Languages and Literature Alice Jardine says Revolution Books has had a "perfect record" in stocking books on time for French 141, "Contemporary Approaches to Interpretations in France."

In-house printing is another alternative taken by some professors trying to avoid the Coop. Gregory Nagy, Jones Professor of Classical Greek Literature, says that he decided this year to put more than half of the reading for the popular Literature and Arts C-14, "The Concept of the Hero in Greek Civilization," into a sourcebook available in the Science Center stockroom.

Their Own Inability

But other professors still loyal to the Coop say that they are not looking elsewhere for textbook ordering. They say it is often their own inability to predict course enrollments that leads to textbook shortfalls.

John T. Koch, assistant professor of Celtic languages and literature, says that he originally expected 45 students to take Literature and Arts C-14, "The Celtic Heroic Age." Much to his surprise, 91 students chose to take the class this fall, and the Coop's shelves are now empty.

Macedo says that his estimate for Gov. 10 enrollment was exceeded by "almost 300 percent." He says that pre-registration--having students sign up for courses well before the semester begins--could solve the enrollment confusion and make textbook ordering more of an exact science.