Barnes & Noble College has signed a 10-year deal with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green to privatize the previously independently-run bookstore. The College Heights Herald reported that in March, WKU "made the recommendation to the Board of Regents that Barnes & Noble take over the operation of the bookstore." The change was approved at the board's May meeting and took effect July 1.
According to Jennifer Tougas, WKU's interim assistant v-p of business services, the deal includes an annual $15,000 scholarship, a one-time gift of $350,000 and $1 million in guaranteed revenue for the first year. Tougas added that the partnership will focus on delivering students lower-cost options for textbooks, wider electronic book access and more streamlined textbook integration with professors. "One thing Barnes & Noble brings to the table is purchasing power."