These guidelines were developed and endorsed by the Academic Computing Users Group (ACUG) and reviewed by the Provost's Administrative Staff.

Instructor Guidelines for Computer Lab Printing

Two types of printing are available in the general access computer labs. Dot matrix printing is available and is paid for by the Information Technology (IT) Division. Laser printing is provided also, and is paid for by the Student Technology Fee fund. ACUG feels there is a need to have guidelines for printing in the general access computer labs for a number of reasons:

• Laser printing accounts for the majority of printing in the general access computer labs. If we can reduce the demand for laser printing, this would free up some Student Technology Fee funds to be used for other needs.
• Reducing the amount of printing would also reduce the amount of time students must wait for their printouts. Wait times can be significant during certain periods of the semester.
• Conserving paper would also benefit the environment.

Lab printing can be reduced if instructors choose to provide hard copy class notes, lecture materials, syllabi, and PowerPoint presentations to students in advance, so students will not feel the need to print these materials in computer labs. If instructors determine that these materials are more appropriately available on the web and that students should access them electronically, students should be encouraged to use paper saving measures to print these materials. Academic Computing has developed a handout that suggests methods of printing PowerPoint and web pages in a manner that can reduce the total quantity of pages needed per printout. This handout also describes how to do single sided printing if desired.

Academic Computing provides ways for instructors and students to share information electronically. With both shared folders and Blackboard, students can deliver papers to faculty while instructors can place materials for students to access. Academic Computing encourages the use of these tools for transferring information electronically as an alternative to hard copy. Allowing students to submit papers electronically will help conserve paper and toner.

Some students are currently printing multiple copies of group project assignments, in some cases for all group members and in some cases for an entire class. Instructors can discourage using lab printers for this purpose and encourage the use of copying facilities.

Paper saving techniques and guidelines for student printing will be provided in the general access labs.