Report on the Textbook Edition Change for Effective Writing Skills

This report, written in email format to Kelly Book, Dean of the Department of Communications, investigates the issue of a textbook edition change for the "Effective Writing Skills" course (COMM 1234) at Conestoga College. The report synthesizes information from interviews with Dave Black (bookstore manager), Matt Hoan (course instructor), and Hector Mead (administrative assistant). The central issue revolves around the publisher's new edition, which has created a dilemma for the bookstore regarding inventory and potential financial repercussions. The report presents enrollment data, instructor concerns about content misalignment, and the need to decide how many books the bookstore should order. The report concludes that it is best to stick with the old edition to avoid confusion and financial loss. The report recommends selling the previous editions while the department of communications bears the expenses of any remaining unsold books.

WRITING SKILLS PROFESSIONAL

To
Kelly Book
Dean
Department of Communications
Date-
Dear Ma’am,
Subject- The issue of the textbook edition change
I have compiled the following report communications in order to help you identify the
details of issues pertaining to a single textbook for the communication course titled
Effective Writing Skills. Since decision making needs to consider a lot of factors, this
report has been supported by interviewing few people of interest. The report identifies
the key issue, the possible contingencies and changes in effect of the identified issue.
The report tries to summaries the information collected by interviewing Dave Black, the
bookstore manager, Matt Hoan, the course instructor and Hector Mead, the
administrative assistant.
According to the bookstore manager, the publishing house has decided to update the
current edition of the book used in the communications course. This is an important
issue as the course begins in 4 weeks and most of the students have already
purchased the previous edition. However, the publishing house is providing an
exchange period of 4 weeks within which the bookstore has to return the previous
editions for the newer one. The bookstore had sold 120 new books and 60 used ones in
the previous semester. However, they have 150 new books and 40 used books in their
inventory of the previous edition which has been selected as the textbook for the
communication course. The bookstore presently cannot sell the previous editions and
hence can only return the books in stock before end of the given timeframe and failing
to do so will mean that the Department of Communications will be charged for these
books. Returning the used books is not an issue as the vendor, Next to New will allow

returning the books up to one year. The main issue is with the new books as the
manager is in a dilemma as whether to return all the books in the inventory for the new
edition. The publishing house also does not have any online versions of the new edition
which makes the issue more complicated. Hence, the issue is how many books should
the bookstore order if the same course guidelines are followed. So, if the bookstore
takes a risk and orders 150 old books and fails to sell them, the price will be paid by the
Department of communications
The administrative agent knows the sudden change in the textbook editions and is
trying to reduce the number of textbooks that have remained unsold so as they charge
to the department are minimum. Mr. Mead provides the enrollment report which
highlights the current enrollment data of the number of students taking the course. The
total enrollment for the current semester was 448. By analyzing the figures pertaining to
current registration and pre-registration it was possible to make an estimate that a total
of 252 registrations can be expected in the next semester. This is necessary for the
administration as they have to book for instructors, classrooms as well as provide the
textbooks which is currently the origin of crisis in this context.
According to the instructor the sudden change in textbook can be very difficult for new
students. The instructor is responsible for the course next semester. The issue identified
by Mr. Hoan is that the publisher has added a new chapter in the beginning of the book
which has caused misalignment in terms of page number and chapter numbers of the
previous edition of the book. The instructor is clear on the fact that they cannot use the
recent edition or use both the current and previous editions simultaneously as it will lead
to confusion as the contents as well as the quizzes and tests are referenced on basis of
the page and chapter numbers. Mr. Hoan has not been able to review the new edition in
its entirety which means that there will be certain changes in the course in the future.
The issue identified here is that the instructors have to review the content to modify the
existing course guidelines in order to match them with the content of the new book
edition.
From the interviews and the provided data, it can be inferred that it is necessary to stick
with the old edition of the book titled Effective Writing for the upcoming semester and
hope that the 190 books will be sold to the students. The bookstore has to sell the

previous editions and the Department of communications will have to bear the expenses
of any remaining unsold books. Sticking with the previous version is also necessary as
the instructors have not been able to review the content and set the course work
accordingly and setting a new course work maybe confusing. Thanking you.
Yours sincerely
Student