GILLIAN GALINSKY
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

The soaring value of the Canadian dollar could help save students money, economics professor Paul Pieper said.
“Everything students need to buy for school would be cheaper if it was coming from the United States. This ranges from books to computers and software,” he said.
Suzanne Iskander, a business professor, said students will see the effects of the rising dollar the most in the price of books.
North Campus bookstore manager Debby Martin said when the loonie was above the value of the U.S. dollar a few years ago, the bookstore charged the lower U.S. prices on all pre-priced items in the bookstore, including books, cards and magazines.
At that time, Martin said, the dollar was considerably higher. She said in order for prices to be lowered the dollar has to stay consistently strong.
Iskander said, “it would likely have to stay at par or higher for a few months before any changes in price could be made.”
She added, “stores need to make money on inventory they already have before they can lower prices.”
Pieper said the high value of the loonie also helps students in other ways.
“Controlling inflation rates mean greater purchasing power and can help keep interest rates low, including student loans.”