By Victor Essel | The Duquesne Duke
Despite rumors on Facebook and around campus, Duquesne will not begin charging students after they exceed printing more than 1,000 pages.
John Ziegler, executive director of computer and technology services, said that all information about the print manager service and page quota can be found on CTS’s website, as well as on signs and posters around campus. But a quota of 3,000 pages per student will be implemented March 4.
“We’ve been receiving quite a few e-mails and calls from students about the page quota,” Zeigler said. “They are responding mostly to rumors. No student account will ever be charged for printing.”
When a student prints a document, he or she will be prompted with a login window requiring the MultiPass information. This will record how many pages each student has already printed. When a student approaches the limit, he or she will be alerted. Upon exceeding the limit, students will be unable to print any more under a specific MultiPass name, but they have the option of buying more pages from the computer store.
A student will be able to purchase an additional 500 pages for $15.
But Anthony Elia, SGA chair of CTS relations, said technically students will not be charged.
“There have been many rumors, e-mails and complaints from students thinking that their student accounts are going to be ‘charged’ if they exceed 3,000 pages,” Elia said. “That is incorrect.”
Don Maue, director of support services, said CTS and the Student Government have been working together since last fall to enhance Duquesne’s printing services.
“Right now, printing is like the Wild West,” Maue said. “Sixty-eight percent of print jobs end up wasted. We want to offer students a choice: to print or not to print. Hopefully, the quota will reduce much of this waste.”
Maue said he hopes to make the printing process more efficient.
“This is not a cost-centered objective. We are improving the quality of printing services,” Maue said.
Elia and other members of SGA said there should be some student representation and collaboration with CTS in its future and current initiatives.
“Not only does it make the school more green, but it also helps the school start to move with the times,” Elia said. “Students have access to computers and laptops that are more than adequately equipped with software to handle note taking, why waste the paper if it’s not needed?”
But some students, like senior education major Annelise Pompa, think putting a limit on printing is unfair.
“Most majors have no other choice but to print page after page for classes,” Pompa said. “Freedom in printing can only benefit learning and enrich our education.”
Maue, who works with SGA to design initiatives, as well as student focused programs and events, said he wants his area of CTS to be run by the students.
He said with Blackboard, all students already have access to documents. When professors require students to print, they can do so without over-exceeding 3,000 printed pages.
“A quota will make students consider responsibilities before they print,” Maue said. “We want to change the printing experience from a service that is slow to a more efficient one.”
Another step to make printing more convenient will take effect next academic year.
Next fall, CTS is planning to introduce a service that will allow students to print from their computers and iPads anywhere on campus. Print jobs will conveniently be sent to specific printers on campus.
The quota was introduced now because it will be necessary to regulate print jobs when advancements like this are being introduced, according to Maue.
While some students think the quota should not be introduced, Ting Zhou, a junior music major, said she finds the quota fair.
“I definitely print less and I’m beginning to only print when it is necessary,” Zhou said. “I’m sure I print less than 3,000 pages anyways.”