Freshman Clea Alspin returned from winter break this year eager to start her new classes — that is, until she saw her Stanford Bookstore bill totaling over $300 textbooks for four classes.

Alsip’s experience is not uncommon, as many students now expect to drop several hundred dollars for books each quarter.

In response to rising costs, the California Student Public Interest Research Group — an organization that makes policy recommendations based on research — teamed up with other interest groups to compile a report entitled “Rip-off 101: How the Publishing Industry’s Practices Needlessly Drive Up Textbook Costs.”

Based on faculty and student interviews, the report concluded that textbook prices will only continue to climb nationwide.

The average college student spends $898 per academic year on textbooks, the report stated. According to a survey of University of California students, this figure represents about 20 percent of average tuition and fees for in-state students at public four-year universities. This finding stands in stark contrast to that of a similar 1997 survey which reported $642 as the average annual price for textbooks.

While these numbers are based solely on the University of California system, the report said they have broad implications for all schools since textbook prices are fairly consistent nationwide.

According to a faculty questionnaire, 65 percent of faculty members said they “rarely or “never” use extra materials such as CDs and workbooks that come bundled with textbooks, upping the price. A textbook packaged with additional features can cost up to twice as much as the book alone, the report stated.

Even though some students are able to borrow books from friends who have already taken classes, the constant release of new editions forces students to buy the most updated versions even if there is little content change, the report said.

Although 40 percent of questioned faculty members said the replacement of old editions is “rarely” or “never” justified,” many continue to request the newest releases. A new textbook can cost up to 58 percent more than a used one, the report stated.

To alleviate these costs, 87 percent of faculty members in the UC system surveyed said they would encourage companies to publish new information in a cheaper supplement instead of releasing an entirely new book.

The report makes several recommendations, including the increased use of online textbooks, which could dramatically lower printing costs as well. It also suggests that professors should stop using textbook editions that come with unnecessary extras. Student-textbook swap programs and on-campus book-rental programs are also advocated by the report.

Several students have launched Web site that network students looking to buy and sell their textbooks for higher prices than they can get at the Bookstore, when trying to sell books back.

Yet most Stanford students have turned to the large Internet booksellers, such as Amazon.com, to cut textbook costs.

“It’s a whole lot cheaper, used or new,” freshman Vivek Saraswat said. “If you want extra money in your pocket, buy your books from Amazon.”

Freshman Ming Zhi also purchased his books on the popular site.

“Even after individual shipping and handling costs, the price was much lower than that of the Bookstore,” he said.

William Auyeung, also a freshman, said he only used the Bookstore this quarter to compare prices before buying his textbooks online.

“I went to the Bookstore to find my I-Hum books,” he said. “I wrote down their ISBNs and prices and then used that information to shop for them on Amazon.com. I saved $50.”

However, some students still believe the advantages of buying books on-campus outweigh the hefty prices.

“There’s a convenience factor,” Alsip said. “It’s easy to buy your books on campus. Plus, you can always return them right where you bought them.”