The Undergraduate Student Government passed a resolution Tuesday that asks the university to publish online the list of textbooks required for each class.

The USG Senate hopes such a move will make it easier for students to compare textbook prices and to predict how much they will have to spend before they schedule classes.

Textbook lists are currently compiled by Barnes & Noble, which operates the Penn State Bookstore. Barnes & Noble makes the list available to local bookstores off campus.

Barnes & Noble has a 10- year contract with Penn State that began in 1993.

"We ask the departments to give us the information," said Tom Fankhauser, assistant store manager for the Penn State Bookstore. "The departments collect the information, compile it and then give it to us. We then share it with the stores downtown."

Fankhauser said the relationship with the downtown stores is longstanding, going back before the Barnes & Noble contract.

Student Faculty Sen. D. Josh Troxell said it doesn't appear that the textbook situation will change anytime soon.

"I don't see this changing a whole lot until the end of that 10-year period. From a legal standpoint, I don't see it happening," Troxell said. "I'm still hopeful though."

Senate passed the resolution with the hope that it will become a joint resolution with Academic Assembly. If the Assembly passes the proposal, they will send it to the university administration.

One of the concerns that some senators had is the students' financial situation. Some senators expressed a need for students to look at the books required for a particular class so they can see if they are financially able to take that class.

As stated in the resolution about the online list, "Public information of the textbook list could serve as an indication of the subject content and scope of classes for the students."

The resolution also states that "making informed decisions about classes is crucial to making the best academic and financial choice considering the high textbook prices, and increasing tuition, and students increasing financial plight."

"I think we should stand up for the students," Town Sen. Marc Morgan said. "I think it's an opportunity of aid. It's helping us get cheaper books.

"Because of the high tuition and expenses, textbook expenses are just one more thing we could all do without," Morgan said. "This will help students in so many different aspects."

Senators stressed the benefits of an online book list posted to the public and how it could increase competition between local stores and online bookstores.

"Not only will we benefit, but the entire commonwealth will benefit," Town Sen. Andrew Pope said.

Pope said the way Barnes & Noble has control over the booklists and where they are directed borders on monopolistic.

Pennsylvania is one of 12 states that does not consider textbooks lists to be public records, Troxell added.

"This (an online textbook list) is what students need," Troxell said.