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June 8, 2005

Sacramento State’s Hornet Bookstore
partners with Follett

In its continuing effort to enhance services and expand product offerings, University Enterprises Inc. at Sacramento State has partnered with Follett Higher Education Group to run the Hornet Bookstore.

Follett has committed more than $1 million for capital improvements. The company will also provide $10,000 in annual textbook scholarships, in addition to faculty and staff discounts and alumni special promotions.

“When students walk into our bookstore in August, they’re going to be impressed,” said Executive Director of University Enterprises Matthew Altier. “And it will be great to have Follett help us as we design and build a new bookstore. Their experience and expertise will help make it a great facility.”

The partnership was approved earlier today by the University Enterprises Board of Directors. It follows extensive research and visits to similarly sized campus bookstores.

A number of factors contributed to Follett being selected. Among them: The company serves more campus bookstores than any other company; it pledged to offer positions to every Hornet Bookstore employee at their current salary and comparable benefits; and it agreed to fund extensive capital improvements.

Over the next few weeks, Follett staffers will be on campus meeting with bookstore employees. They will also explore options for enhancing the bookstore for the short term and helping design the new bookstore which is set to open within two years near the University Union. Follett will fund portions of both efforts.

As part of its agreement, Follett will also hold special events such as author signings, sell books and merchandise at campus events, and possibly develop specialized small retail sites on campus.

Follett Higher Education Group, founded in 1873, is a family-owned bookstore operator managing more than 700 campus bookstores nationwide. Among more than 50 California campuses with Follett-run bookstores are UC Berkeley, Stanford and four California State University campuses – Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills, Maritime and Northridge. Follett also provides services to more than 1,800 independently owned bookstores.

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