Students react to printer paper policy

At the beginning of each se-mester, students often return to campus to find changes have been made and new rules applied. Unfortunately, some of these deviations upset students. This semester, students returned to discover a new rule has been set in place across the campus. Students found f lyers posted throughout numerous campus buildings announcing that in order to use campus printers, one must supply their own paper. According to an e-mail from ad- ministration, the rule is an effort to decrease waste and improve the University’s environmental footprint. Within the last year, students have consumed ap- proximately $12,000 worth of paper, while the overall expense has cost the university roughly $50,000.

A brief meeting with, Connie Shumate, Library Director, informs students that the idea was suggested by Dr. Peter Viscusi, Dean of Students. “It was an administrative decision”, Dr. Viscusi says. “We are being financially and environmentally resourceful. The university is also providing the biggest cost- printer, ink, and toner. Everyone should think twice before print- ing stuff. The overall cost to the university is tremendous; it’s ba-

sically a faculty members’ salary.” Still despite the financial and environmental reasons, students are unhappy. Students inter- viewed express that they struggle to make it through a semester, and need to be using money for necessities to live.

“Although I understand the amount of money the college spends in a semester is an issue, much less in a year, I think requir- ing students to provide printer paper is outrageous. Colleges are, more and more, leading to not supplying anything for their students. What are they going to make us pay for next? We already pay for tuition, books, housing, and school supplies,” Ashley Carver, sophomore says.

Kelsey Lane, sophomore agrees, “Where is my tuition coming into play? People that live on campus depend on the Univer- sity to provide paper. We were told last minute. We didn’t get a heads up before school resumed.”

Olga Novikova, sophomore, “I don’t like this new rule about bringing your own paper. I don’t go to the library anymore because I feel that it’s very in- convenient that there is only two computers set up to print. Apart from all of the other school stuff I worry about, I now have to stress about buying and bringing paper. Tuition has also increased; it would be more reasonable if they didn’t raise it as they are making this new rule.”

Jonathan LLoyd, a senior com- ments “It’s exploitative and de- spicable. If you are trying to be environmentally friendly, set up some rules. If you need money, find another way. There is no excuse for this,”

Administration reminds the student body that there are several ways to minimize any inconvenience. Students are encouraged to use a f lash drive to save documents. If you are logged into a University server using your MyCU username, your documents can be saved to files for later access. Admin- istration is also asking staff and faculty to also limit printing and paper consumption. Dr. Viscusi reminds the student body that many of Concord’s neighboring universities and college either charge per printed paper or utilize a credit system. Bethany College and American National University are the only institu- tions that currently have free printing in the state. He suggests students to carry a folder with printer paper stored in it. Stu- dents in past times have printed a chapter of an online book source, when they only needed one or two pages. The university paper waste has became excessive and expensive according to admin- istration, they reminds us that this is not only good financial sense, but also environmentally responsible.