2 = The Michigan Daily'-Wedresday, July 23 1997 Students trade books online By Dolores Arabo Daily Staff Reporter Students can say goodbye to the days they waited in long lines with hopes of collecting only a fraction of what their used textbooks are worth. Michael Wellman, an Electrical Engineering and Computer Science professor, and LSA senior Ryan Papa are currently renovating an online auc- tion site, named the "auction bot,"1 where students can buy and sell their used books. m o e "The auction isa made for students b 'fg ; who would like more money for their books and students can find cheaper books there," Papa said. Shaman Drum Bookstore manager Hobart Taylor explained the reasons for "high" textbook prices. He said whole- sale book companies often set the prices for the buybacks when the book will not be used the next semester. "People are under the illusion that buyback prices are terribly low but they R LIGOUS $ERVICEi$ VAVAVAVA KOREAN CHURCH OF ANN ARBOR 3301 Creek Dr. 971-9777 SUNDAY:9:30 a.m. English, 11 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Korean PACKARD ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH 2580 Packard Road Ann Arbor 971-0773 Contemporary services on Saturday nights at 6:1)0 p.m. and on Sundays at 12:00 noon UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN CHAPEL 1511 Washtenaw near Hilt Sunday 10:30 a.m. Wed. Supper 6:00 p.m. Pastor Ed Krauss 663-5560 are subject to the laws of supply and demand," Taylor said. When books are going to be used during the next semester, owners usual- ly receive half of the money they origi- nally spent for textbooks, Taylor said. Papa said the existing auction has been in use for more than one year, but he hopes to make it easier to use. Wellman, who supervises the project, is a member of a research 7M-save group that focuses on a id artiftesa; ntel- d f ligene in =engineering. - Jackie Bertin They formed the online LSA junior textbook auc- tion for stu- dents in an attempt to contribute to the growing Internet community. "We wanted to show how it can be done," Wellman said. "It also serves as an infrastructure for our own research." All University students are eligible to use the bidding site. After entering an unigname and password for authoriza- tion, students follow a series of instruc- tions. By entering the name of the class that requires the textbook and the book's title, students are able to accept and make bids. Each website visitor also receives an account that allows them to check the status of their bids. LSA junior Jackie Bertin said that after having a bad used-book-selling experience at a bookstore, she would benefit from using the auction site. "I would use it. You can save money and avoid being ripped off at the book- stores" Bertin said. "You don't even have to leave home to use it." Daniel Racey, an Engineering senior, said the online bidding system can save time that is usually spent waiting in bookstore lines. "It seems convenient and accessible and it will save me a half-hour of wait- ing in line at the bookstore," Racey said. Taylor said the auction does not threascn him because the service is help ful to students. "' am supportive of any efforts that increase students' ability to receive the highest amount of money for their books," Taylor said. Students can access the online auc- tion at http://auction.eecs.tumica. edu. Paul Edsz-, a recent Ann Arbor Pioneer High School graduate, stocks book for next semester's classes at Shaman Drum Bookstore on Stale Street. _. -- SCUGA Continued from Page 1 "His relationship with the other head- masters at other schools are all very good," Ross said. "I think we all can agreed that each school has lots of strengths and complements each other real well in southeast Michigan." However, Robert Galardi, principal of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, said any way by which high schools can be compared may be hazardous. "When it becomes publicized knowl- edge, (parents) start to shop for schools," Galardi said. Pioneer, one of the city's three public high schools, received a 0.2 rating according to the SCUGA guildlines. Galardi said his philosophy is that of , o a public school educator - he believes it is the school's responsibility to edu- cate every student in the district, as opposed to weeding out students who do not show potential success. "It's hard for me to truly approve the ability to say we only want the kids who will be successful here," Galardi said. "I think it all goes back to the mission of the college." Mike Gill, director of development for University of Detroit High School, said he can see the reasoning behind the SCUGA list. "I can understand why the University would need to put a system in place for them so they can make sure they attract the best types of stu- dents possible," Gill said. An 'A' at one high school may not be an 'A' at Want to write for the Dai Come to a mass meeting Sept. 8, 10, 16 or 18. 7 p.m. atthe Student Publications Building. another, he said. On the other hand, a student whose school is in a below-poverty district and receives fewer resources than other schools could be ata disadvantage, Gill said. "It seems like that kid has a lot stacked against him from the start," Gill said. The SCUGA guide lists U of D as 0.1, but the school was told that its accurate rating was at least 0.2, Gill said. Steven Stout, assistant principal of Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard High School, said universities, as well as high schools, must have a loose set of crite- ria they try to meet. The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Wednesdays dunng the spring and summer term by st- dets at the University of Michigan. Subscriptions for fall term, starting in September, via U S. mail are $85. Witer term (January through Aprl) is $95, yearlong (September through Apil) is $165. Oncampus subscnp tions for fall term are $35. Subsnriptions must be prepaid. The Michigan Daily is a member of the Associated Press and the Associated collegiate Pres. ADDRESS The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1327. r uo sNM R(All cras coed313 sN w76-SAIL; Arts 763-0379 Sports 7473 36; Opinion7 64-0552; Ciraulation 764-0558; Classtied adverisire 764-0557; Sisplay avrItisleg 764-0554; Billing 764-0550. E mailletters to the editor to daily.letters@umich edu. World Wide Web: http//www pub. umich. edu/daily/. NEWS Heather Kamins, Managing Editor STAFF Delores AraboMarla Hackett, Stephanie Hepbur, Pete MeyersChrstne M Paik Jason StolerMatt WelerWilesert EDITORIAL Jack Schillaci, Ed* STAFF KristinrAtrola. koieny li Ezabeth Lucas, ooPna opadhay PaulSerlla. SPORTS Mark Snyder, Managing Editor EDITORS Crs Farah Sharat Ra:, ARTS Elizabeth Lucas, Aaron Rennie, Editors STAFF Coln Bartos, Sangta Baruah Sarah BedooAnitha Cn iAnn\ovalszk<,Kuran Nandalur Joshua Rich, Jack ScholnaJuia Shin, Phiip Son PHOTO Margaret Myers, Sara Stiliman, Editors STAFF Jeo r Brad ey Swi t boan Damian Cap. RooGsI eJoeo WestrateE ONLINE Elizabeth Lucas, Editor SALES Steve Booher, Man* SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR Lindsay Ble er STAFF oinsayBeier, Ginny Hiitz Mamie Kadish, John Mac a o n Sra ManiKindra NaidaDoarren OrtsmlanDivia Ram ishan. FINANCE MANAGER Jonathan Wang DESIGNER Seth Borden SYSTEMS ANALYSTS Kemir Baker, Todd Brockdorf, Jonathan Witz A school needs some manner which it measures students who are accepted and those who are not accept- ed, Stout said. Gabriel Richard received a 0.1 SCUGA rating by the University. "Based on what we have offered, we just felt that was low," Stout said. Tia Bennett, whose son Justin attend- ed Gabriel Richard and will enter the University's College of Engineering this fall, said many factors may contrib@ to the admissions counselors' tallying process - but the extra points will only take students so far. "They're going to get them in the door, but then it's up to them," Bennett said. "Ultimately, it's up to the student." /