Ya-Marie Sesay | Campus Editor
You asked, it’s here: Hampton’s newly renovated collegiate bookstore.
Students and Alumni entered Hampton University’s Collegiate Bookstore during homecoming week in surprise to the newly renovated look.
“We got nothing but praises! During homecoming week we had some alumni coming in, and even they said it’s great that we’ve gotten an update,” said Michael Scott, a bookstore sales associate and senior international studies major from Delaware.
After months of student input, planning and construction, the HU Administration made another advancement in improving student life on campus.
The remodeled store has more selections for students, such as new apparel choices, increased textbook options, electronics, a variety of snacks, hair products and a new look.
The nearly 20-year-old store is now surrounded with photos of student-athletes, school spirit and students in the library. The wall that divided the clothes and the books has been transformed into a pirate ship showcasing Pirate pride. There is also much more space and vibrant colors.
“It’s a big change, a 180-degree turn,” Scott said. “It’s more open, more decorative. It’s more convenient for us to come from our apartments or dorms and just pick up whatever we need.”
Hampton University’s Auxiliary Enterprises, the office responsible for students’ experience at HU, heard the demands of students for new items in the bookstore and chose to completely rebrand the store to increase student attraction.
“The remodel was an exciting venture; the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and we know there is no other bookstore as great as the one on HU’s campus,” Director of Auxiliary Enterprises Taryn Boone said.
In partnership with Follett Higher Education Group, the university wanted all decisions to completely benefit students. Boone told the Hampton Script she would sit with students in the dining hall and casually ask what they would like to see in their bookstore.
“It was a very beautiful collaborative effort, I feel good about it,” Boone said.
Another great aspect introduced at the start of the semester is the price-match option. Students can compare the price of a textbook in store with prices from Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. The price difference can be given to the student through a bookstore gift card that can be used to purchase the new fashionable apparel and other textbooks.
Students also can order textbooks in store and receive them within 48 hours without shipping expenses.
Many new electronics such as laptops and printers are now available in the bookstore. Students also have the option to charge their electronic expenses to their HU account.
In celebration of the university’s 150 years and President William R. Harvey’s 40th anniversary, the store included a section dedicated to the milestones. The section includes shirts, watches, hats, cups and Dr. Harvey’s recently published book, Principles of Leadership.
“It is my sincere hope that the students embrace it, enjoy it and brag about it all over social media,” Boone said. “Hampton has a high standard of excellence. The students [should] understand change does take time, but the administration [is] always working to give you a positive experience.”
The Hampton Script 