The print fee is a reality. Students who print at any of USM’s computer labs and libraries will have to pay to print beginning this August.
The cost will not exceed 5 cents per page, but some students and faculty members say it may affect the way they utilize University resources.
Sociology major J.B. Whipple said she usually saves work on her home computer and brings her disk to the computer lab to print.
“Now I’ll have to buy myself a new printer and print at home,” she said. “I may have to read stuff on E-reserve on the computer instead of downloading and printing.”
Some professors rely on Internet services like Blackboard to post course materials for their classes instead of passing out thick handouts. Some instructors post syllabi, class notes and outlines on Blackboard sites. Currently, many students print these materials from Blackboard for study guides or general information.
Dan Panici, director of Media Studies, uses Blackboard to post lecture outlines for his classes.
“Will the print fee change the way I teach my course? Probably not. All the essential materials for class I make copies of. I use Blackboard to augment the course. It’s not necessary to download all the information,” he said. “The fee will ultimately force students to think, do I really want to print this?”
J.L. Munger, a marketing professor who uses Blackboard to make note-taking guides available for class said she thought the print fee would have a minimal effect on the way she teaches class.
“I was forced to put information on the Internet because copy expenses are so high. I won’t change the notes.”
The fee that USM will charge students to print is still lower than the 8 cents per page charged at the University of New Hampshire, or the 10 cents per page charged at the University of Vermont. UMASS Boston doesn’t charge to print but limits printing to 10 pages.
Many students weren’t happy about the printing fee. Others seemed more resigned.
“It kinda sucks. I print at school to save money, and now I’ll have to pay,” said Becky DeSantis, a sophomore sociology major. “The University should provide printing as a service. I probably won’t use the lab as much. I think a lot of people won’t use it as much.”
Junior business major Jarod McBreairty said of the fee, “It’s a crock, we already pay enough fees. I have to print for Blackboard in accounting. Now I’ll have to put all my information on one page or less pages.”
Ryan Giambattista, a junior communications major, said that most schools charge to print.
“If you need the information for a class, you should get a pass to print pages free,” said Giambattista.
Staff Writer Stuart Koretsky can be contacted at: [email protected]