TO THE EDITOR:
My credentials: I earned a doctorate in clinical psychology at UNC Chapel Hill 52 years ago and have been a researcher at UNC for over 40 years, mostly feeling very privileged to live in Chapel Hill and to work for the University. But now I am feeling heartsick.
I am writing because I deplore a serious threat to one of my favorite institutions — the Bull’s Head Bookshop.
Did it ever occur to the University’s financial experts, who are being seduced by such as Follett, that some of us do not want cheaper books? One of our UNC assets has been accessibility to quality books, and of most importance to me, children’s books.
As the fond great-aunt of nine nephews and one niece, it has been my custom to give each a quality book every year at Christmas. It has now become virtually impossible to find a quality children’s book, apart from the Bull’s Head. I say to the University administration, please do not destroy it.
I can see no benefit to the University whatsoever in having our Student Store profits make corporations wealthy.
If Follett did not see Student Stores as a cash cow, it would have no interest in us. We do not need to support their corporate salaries while being cheated of quality products. We need to keep our own profits and our own payroll and our own commitment to providing quality books for those who still appreciate them.
Frances A. Campbell
Senior Scientist Emerita
