Central Washington University Board of Trustees July 21, 2023 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – Wildcat Shop
The Wildcat Shop, the on-campus bookstore store has served the university community since 1931, with three main purposes; providing course materials selected by faculty to students, distribute and promote the university brand/mark, and to provide student with other supplies in support of their educaHonal journey. CWU has historically been a leader in the independently owned bookstore space, but the landscape has shiKed over the past five years for most independent college stores because of large marketplace disruptors like Amazon. As a result, stores across the country are changing their model which typically includes an outsource opHon. Despite significant cuts to operaHng expenses, the Wildcat shop is now unable to cover all operaHng costs and is now facing the same pressure to change. The Wildcat Shop has been an industry leader in the effort reduce costs to students and has been successful at saving students millions of dollars, migraHng away from higher margin opHons like physical books (new and used) to rentals to lower margin opHons such as inclusive access (IA and/or other digital course materials) and alternaHve course delivery methods including OER (Open EducaHonal Resources). To address these financial difficulHes, the Wildcat Shop has implemented labor cost reducHon measures reducing staff from 13 full-Hme staff to 9, resulHng in a 31% reducHon. AddiHonally, student labor costs have decreased by almost 40%. The store has done a great job keeping labor rates down even with sustained significant increases to minimum wage, as well as cost-of-living adjustments for staff. However, these measures alone have not resolved the financial situaHon. Our presentaHon will include opHons for moving forward with the Wildcat Shop, as well as a longer-term vision of sourcing free materials through the CWU Library. To make an informed decision, the University must carefully consider the advantages, disadvantages, and potenHal outcomes associated with each soluHon.
Submitted:
Approved for Submittal to the Board:
Joel Klucking
Jim Wohlpart
Vice President, Finance & Administration
President
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