Alumni Association University of Michigan Winter 2012 : Page 15

around the U e-Textbook Initiative The University is in the early stages of an initiative that could save students money by moving to electronic textbooks, particularly in large, introductory-level classes where textbook costs can be high. A collaborative group with members from Information and Technology Services, Academic Affairs, the University Library, and a number of academic units will pilot the initiative during the fall 2012 semester. The group currently is negotiating with textbook publishers and developing a request for proposals to determine which technical platform will be used to deliver e-textbooks. Paul Courant, university librarian and dean of libraries, said any move toward e-textbooks would be voluntary for faculty. “We’re hoping to create a structure in which people will be enthusiastic about volunteering, but we’re not interested in creating a structure that is going to impose a requirement that faculty members use e-textbooks for particular courses.” He added that the project is being driven by a market in which textbook editions change frequently and students can pay as much as $1,000 or more for books each semester, particularly for new editions. He envisions a system in which an e-textbook would cost about 35 percent of a hard copy’s list price and would be covered by a course fee. 0(),$!44),/ Construction Update While the opening of the C.S. Mott Children’s and Von Voigtlander Women’s hospitals (see page 26) was big construction news, it wasn’t the only construction news on the Ann Arbor campus. The Law School celebrated the opening of the Robert B. Aikens Commons and Kirkland & Ellis Café (pictured above) on September 7. Built on the site of a courtyard between Hutchins Hall, the stacks, and the Reading Room, the two-story space includes gathering spots, student organization space, meeting rooms, and the new café. In addition, move-in is complete in South Hall, which is directly across Monroe Street from the Law Quad and built in the same Collegiate Gothic style. The 100,000-square-foot building is the fi rst addition to the Law School in 75 years and includes classrooms and offi ces, gathering spaces, and law offi ces for student attorneys. In other construction news: s The board of regents has approved the renovation design of East Quad, which will add a fi re suppression system, replace defi cient infrastructure, and add air-conditioning and wireless network access throughout. Improvements will be made to the student rooms, dining facilities, classrooms, and offi ces. The project is estimated at $116 million and will close East Quad in May. Reopening is scheduled for the fall term 2013. s The regents also approved a project to upgrade the infrastructure of Baits II and to rearrange or repurpose some community spaces to support resident activities. The work is estimated at $11.95 million and will happen during summer months so the residence hall will not be closed during the academic year. s University Housing has announced that Baits I will close at the end of this academic year. “The confi guration of the Baits I complex, its distance from Bursley dining, and looming costs make it diffi cult to recommend investment in the necessary infrastructure and renovations to create the type of facility that we want to provide,” said University housing director Linda Newman. Michigan Alumnus | Winter 2012 | umalumni.com 15

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