Bookstore consultation status update

As you may be aware, the university has been consulting stakeholders over the past several months with respect to the future operational model of the main campus and medical bookstores.

The consultation process included in-person dialogues and a campus-wide survey which generated more than 3,000 responses, most of which were from students. We also received additional information from the Students’ Union bookstore survey. The full consultation process yielded valuable insights and provided important information to inform management’s decision-making.

It is abundantly clear that the university bookstore is fundamental to the student and faculty experience on campus. It is critical that the products and services offered by the university bookstore continue to meet the needs of our campus community. It is also clear that altering bookstore operations at this time would introduce a potentially disruptive change at a time when the university’s focus is on a safe return to campus.

As a result, a decision has been made to pause any further evaluation of alternate operational models for the bookstore. This decision will be reviewed in the new year, with a final decision made by June 30, 2022. The additional time will allow for continued evaluation of the bookstores’ operations post-pandemic and permit ongoing dialogue with stakeholders.     

I want to thank our campus community for their thoughtful feedback. Thank you for your care and commitment to the University of Calgary.

Linda Dalgetty, Vice-President
Finance and Services
University of Calgary