This in regards to the article Brendan Keep wrote about the bookstore.

First off, I would like to say it was very poorly researched. I am a Student Manager at the bookstore and have worked there for almost two years now. Having Brendan write a column about the bookstore that is based on poor research is very poor reporting.

Not only this, but the argument that the student came into the Peregrine Shop was looking for binders – there were some in the Peregrine Shop – is incorrect.

I know this, because I was the one that personally set up the display in the front display stand that is located right next to the cashiers in the Peregrine Shop.

Not only that, but the student managers often will make a trip to the main bookstore if the customer needs something after the store has closed.

He accuses the bookstore of charging a little more for books compared to SBX. This may be true, for I am not sure on the cost of books at SBX.

Then again, I doubt that SBX does not provide as many financial services as the bookstore. The bookstore not only has a lot more employees than SBX, but they are also a big source to providing money to the Union and the University, as well as being one of the biggest providers for Dance Marathon.

The bookstore also donates a lot of items that are needed for legitimate applicants.

As for the employees being rude, I totally disagree with this. The bookstore probably has more willing employees when it comes to needing help when shopping.

The cashiers are well trained in always providing the correct answers to questions, and if they do not know, they are told to find someone that does. There are very many polite and respectful workers in the bookstore.

To generalize that all or most of the workers in the bookstore are rude and disrespectful` is simply a very poor argument.

As for the tail end of his article, the comment about students being forced to leave their backpacks on the floor, this too is very incorrect.

The cashiers during rush make sure that no one leaves their belongings on the floor or in the lockers, and all backpacks are left at the book drop.

As for during the rest of the semester, there are lockers provided that are free to leave belongings in. If there is not enough room for the stuff to fit, the cashiers are more than willing to hold the belongings behind the counter while the customer shops.

The bookstore also is getting new lockers in that are bigger and will provide a better place to leave backpacks. But in retail, it is necessary to keep big bags out of a store. Our rule is that no bag big enough to fit a textbook is allowed into the store. I think the reasoning is common sense.

We understand that almost all of the students, faculty, staff and anyone else that shops there are honest people that will not steal.

Though, almost is NOT everyone, and therefore, a retail store must take the necessary precautions to attempt to prevent theft.

We ask that no backpacks enter the store for this reason, but also, because if theft does take place, over time, the students are the ones that will pay for it.

The honest students who would never steal will in turn have to pay more money to cover the cost of the books and merchandise that is stolen.

Putting belongings into a locker or leaving with a cashier doesn’t take much time to do, but the employees try hard to keep students from leaving their belongings on the floor.

If a customer leaves his or her belongings on the floor when they could’ve used a locker instead and has his or her stuff stolen, that is not the responsibility of the bookstore, that is the responsibility of the individual.

I am appalled at the research done by Brendan about the bookstore and disgusted with The BG News for allowing such a poorly argued column written by one of their columnists to be published in the paper.

John Bartholomew, Junior, Criminal Justice, [email protected].