As a result of efforts by Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE); Miami University's marketing, sales, and management fraternity; Miami students may be able to save money by buying one less textbook in semesters to come.
While this was Pi Sigma Epsilon's fifth annual "We Mean Business" 5K race Sunday, this was the first time all of the proceeds were given to Miami libraries to fund student textbooks.
"Because the cost of textbooks is always going up and on the rise, students are finding it harder and harder to afford college and get everything they need," said senior Kelly Knable, project manager. "So if the libraries could help out, it eases up some funds that they can use in other areas."
Although the libraries will not be able to provide a book for every class every semester, Knable believes that even having one additional book available at the library will help students a great deal. She added that without factoring in the costs of the event, the total amount of money collected from participants was $1,200.
The university libraries will choose which textbooks to order and offer to students.
In the past, PSE's 5K funds have gone to other sources.
"This year, we just wanted to give back to the students," said senior Kristin Segerson, PSE's vice president of public relations. "A lot of us go to the library and sometimes it's a pain bringing all of your books with you, so now we'll have a few there as another option."
Both Segerson and Knable are unsure of when the textbooks will be available, but expect them to come as soon as possible.
"I don't know if they'll be ready by this spring or not, but we hope they'll increase their volume by this fall," Knable said. "Hopefully if (the libraries) have time it will go into effect next semester ... I'm sure some of the proceeds will be used next semester to start up the program to get more as time goes on."
Associated Student Government (ASG) member and library employee, Adam Harris, was the second place winner.
"It seemed like a good gesture on the part of PSE and it was nice getting out and being a part of the running community," he said. "Although my time wasn't anywhere near where I wanted it to be."
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Harris added that a resolution is being crafted in ASG right now supporting Ohio Senate Bill 151, the Textbook Pricing and Accountability Act.
The resolution, being written by Student Body President Jens Sutmöller and Vice President for Student Services Anne Towne, supports the bill, which would require Ohio state institutions of higher education to have at least two copies of all required textbooks available in the campus libraries.
The resolution will be submitted to ASG for a preliminary hearing Oct. 9.
As for the race itself, Knable called it a success. Around 70 people showed up to run and walk the course, which started and ended at Millett Hall.
She added that PSE will give the proceeds check to University Libraries this week, but fraternity members are still in the process of counting money and selling more T-shirts.
"I loved being able to be part of this event because even though it was early in the morning, as well as hot, I got to see all of my efforts come into action," Knable said. "My friends were thanking me at the finish line for getting them up so early because now they had a whole day ahead of them to be productive before football began."
Segerson believes that much of the event's success comes from the idea that Miami students generally enjoy running and staying fit and going to races in the early morning, and the 5K was predominantly made up of students.
"You get a few locals but the majority are Miami students," Segerson said. "Our fraternity is really involved in it, but there's a lot of outside people, like people's roommates, and it's advertised a lot on campus and by word of mouth."
Sophomore Leah Painter said even though she didn't run, she strongly supports the fund.
"I definitely think it was a good idea if you'd have to buy one less textbook," she said. "They're so expensive, it's ridiculous. It'd be really nice not to have to buy so many."
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