In light of the dramatic increase in printing we saw across the campus last year and the associated concern about how much of it was waste, the administration has decided to implement a "limited free printing, then pay-as-you-go" model this year.

Beginning Sept. 2, 2005, all students will start with a printing credit for 273 laser prints at the student-accessible printers in the residence halls, Centennial Room, Library, Science Lab, Lage Lab, etc. Through the end of the academic year, any printouts after 273 will cost $0.0275 per laser-printed page ($0.055 for a page printed on both sides). Color inkjet prints will be charged at $0.09 per page.

These figure represent a direct cost recovery for paper, toner, and printer maintenance kits. The University certainly will not make a profit on the printing charges, but rather will be able to operate the printers at the same cost balance (273 printouts per student) as the amount set aside each year before the eBVyou laptop initiative.

This arrangement has several advantages. From an environmental conservation standpoint, it will reduce paper waste by encouraging people to stop and think before hitting the "print" button. From a libertarian standpoint, it does not predetermine what students can or cannot print, but rather gives them the freedom to make their own decisions. From a real-world application standpoint, it more closely approximates what students will encounter in their future careers with regard to budgeting.

Personal printers are not subject to the printing charges. Students who print material for student organizations can have the organization request a separate printing account by calling 2FIX, so the organization rather than an individual student will be charged for that material.

Instructions for selecting a printer are available through the "eBVyou Essentials" on the 2FIX web site . Students will also be able to check their printing balance via the web or a Windows-based utility to avoid getting caught by surprise and running out of printing capability.

When students use up their credit balance of 273 printouts, they won't be able to print more until they pay at the Business Office. The minimum amount to add on a student's printer account at the Business Office is $5 (182 monochrome pages).

Randy Fehr

VP for Business Services

Amended by Matt Morton, Director of Information Services 12-17-10

For any printing you would like to do with 2Fix's plotter printer, please fill this request form out and send it to the enclosed e-mail address.