Spring Break
Dying yearbook syndrome hits OSU
After brisk sales in 1990s, sales of college yearbooks decline nationwide from lack of funding, student support
Gail Cole
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: News
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But what about college students? Do they care?
Nationwide sales of collegiate yearbooks have suffered in recent years, which is evident in OSU's own Beaver Yearbook.
"The mid-'90s were really big as far as sales," said Jake Manning, a junior in business and this year's Beaver Yearbook business manager.
This year the Beaver staff hopes to publish 650 to 700 yearbooks. Freshmen and seniors are typically the biggest buyers.
"It's their last year and they want to remember it," Manning said of seniors.
But students are a big part of the downward trend in sales demographics.
"It's not gonna be personal because there's so many students," said Tyler Sessa, a sophomore in fine arts. "I don't really see the point."
Student involvement in yearbooks has also declined, which can be seen at OSU this academic year.
Other than the three main student workers last term, there were only four to five students involved in yearbook production. This term, only two to three other students are involved.
According to a 2004 article from the Associated Collegiate Press, a major reason for the decline of yearbook sales is funding cuts. Disinterest on the part of students was also cited as reason for the decline.
Currently, a program is being put into place at several universities in partnership with Taylor Publishing, Inc., of Dallas, Texas, as a means to keep yearbook programs running.
For example, Taylor Publishing paid $15,000 to Florida State University to hire a staff and pay general costs. After yearbook sales, Taylor Publishing received 90 percent of the profits. In 2004 alone, the company worked with 22 others colleges to accomplish similar achievements.
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