Sumeral Vol. LXXXII, No. 57-S Ann Arbor, Michigan-Wednesday, August 8, 1973 Ten Cents Twelve Pages U'profs assigning their own books: By REBECCA WARNER A vast number of University faculty members maintain a lucrative sideline to their teaching activities-assigning books to their students which they themselves have written. Publication, an activity expected of al faculty members, raises an ethical issue when professors require students to buy their texts, and then collect royalties on the sales. But although this practice ap pears in virtually all schools and depart- ments, University administrators have never seen fit to regulate the situation here. MEANWHILE, the practice brings hun dreds of dollars to a number of faculty members each year. Ethical question During only a week of filing professors' STUDENTS MAY believe profits earned P book orders, University Cellar employe on required texts cause a conflict of in- co Fred Chase has found more than 70 pro- terest. But professors on Chase's list over- pu fessors assigning their own books. Of the whelmingly denied their choice of books alt 70, 15 made the assignments for courses could be influenced by desire for personal is with estimated enrollment of more than profit. cot 1 100 students. In addition, a few professors For example, physics Prof. W. Wallace P assigned several of their own books-one McCormick, who assigns his own text- Fu professor requires five books between his book to his Physics 125 classes, claims $12 two courses. there is "certainly no conflict of interest, 85 Chase decided to reveal his partial list in my opinion." , - of faculty members when he noticed how widespread the practice was. "This makes McCormick says he assigns his own book pe me angry," he says. "They're getting paid "because I think it's the best thing in the y by the University for giving their knowl- field. There's nothing like being able to edge to the students, then they're making use your own book. You have everything M a profit on their books. It's like they're just the way you want it. You always have in getting paid twice for the same job." objections to someone else's book." raised McCORMICK'S introductory physics urse attracts 450 students a term. Three blishing houses confirmed that a roy- y rate of 10 per cent of the retail price standard profit for the author of a urse book. McCormick's nationally used text, undamentals of College Physics, sells for 2.95. Cellar records show the store has used copies of the book and is order- g 150 new, and the Cellar does 50 to 60 r cent of all course book sales. A conservative estimate, therefore, puts cCormick's profit for fall term at $364 royalties on new books bought by his See PROFS, Page 10 . Rulng may require U to release salarylists By GORDON ATCHESON The University, which has steadfastly refused to publish faculty salary lists, may be required to release such information based on a formal opinion announced yesterday by state Atty. Gen. Frank Kelley. Kelley declared that the names and salaries of public employes, in- decision and "could not comment on it." cluding professors and administra- Kelley based his opinion on several court tors at tax supported educational verdicts, including a controversial law- institutions, must be considered suit against Saginaw Valley College. The public record. small, state-supported school was ordered DESPITE EFFORTS by The Daily and to disclose full salary information last other organizations to force disclosure, June by a Bay County Circuit Court the University has kept salary information judge. secret contending release would constitute SAGINAW VALLEY dropped an appeal invasion of privacy. attempt last January and released the "The attorney general's opinion only information, as Michigan State University reaffirms our claim that salaries are and Delta College have done in the past public information," * Daily Co-Editor two years. Christopher Parks said yesterday. "Government employes, including those "We hope the University will now cease in higher education, are paid from taxes its obstructive tactics and expeditiously collected, and therefore I believe that the release the data," Parks added. "But public should have access to this informa- additional legal options will be explored tion," Kelley stated in his opinion, which if necessary." carries the force of law unless overturned KELLEY'S DECISION a p p a r e n t l y by the courts. caught University officials by surprise. Earlier this year The Daily, Student President Robben Fleming refused to corm- Government Council (SGC), and several ment on the opinion because he had not other groups filed a lawsuit against the seen a copy. Board of Regents demanding the release University General Counsel Roderick of salary lists. Daane also said he was unaware of the See U', Page 10 Ca vender's cutie With tryouts less than a month away, this young "marching man from Michigan" polishes his marching band arrangement of "I gotta gal in Kalamazoo" on an empty case of 90 proof gin. Now it's Agnew's turnto sweat... Story on Page 3