UNC has received a total of eight proposals to run either part or all of the UNC Student Stores, according to spokesperson Jim Gregory.

Three of the proposals, including one from the current staff, have offered to run the on-campus bookstore. Five other proposals have offered to run a virtual course materials store, with some form of storefront or kiosk component.

According to Gregory, the national consulting firm Campus Bookstore Consulting Corporation has been hired to assist the university and serve as a resource as administrators review proposals.

Last fall, UNC was approached by Follett, a company that runs book stores on campuses across the state, with a proposal to take over the Student Stores.

In January, UNC began accepting proposals to examine the possibility of privatizing the Student Stores.

According to the Request For Proposals, that ended February 18, the university wants to improve affordability for UNC students and increase the financial contribution of Student Stores to scholarship programs.

After reviewing the proposals, selected contractors will be chosen to give a presentation to the Student Stores RFP Advisory Committee in mid-March.

The committee has not been finalized yet, but will be comprised of 13 members who will represent students, faculty and staff.

A timeline given in the RFP said the university hopes to have a final decision by July 2016.

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