Printing FAQ - Public Computer Labs

(Revised: 01/12/2005)

1. Why do we have to start paying for printouts?
2. Doesn’t my tuition money already pay for this?
3. Is five cents a page a fair price?
4. What is the money going to be used for?
5. What happens if I get a bad printout?
6. What if I accidentally print the wrong thing?
7. How do I put money on my card?

1. Why do we have to start paying for printouts?

Over the past three years, FSU has had its annual budget reduced by over $250,000, which has resulted in the elimination of services such as free dial-up service for students, and a reduction in operating hours for the Public Computer labs. In addition, the number of pages we have been printing for free has continually increased. More students are printing their homework in the lab every year. More departments are putting materials like class syllabi, study notes, and assignments on the web or on Blackboard instead of handing them out in class. Naturally, students print these materials out in the computer labs, shifting the printing costs from the students and the departments to the Public Computer labs.

2. Doesn’t my tuition money already pay for this?

The Public Computer Labs are funded by Education and General funds, which are allocated to Florida State University by the Florida Legislature. Tuition revenue accounts for less than 25% percent of that allocation.

3. Is five cents a page a fair price?

The five cents per page cost was arrived at by looking at our total printing costs and estimating future print volumes. We will reexamine the financial assumptions for the charging model at least on an annual basis to determine if any change is needed.

We also researched other printing and photocopying sites around campus and at other universities.

4. What is the money going to be used for?

First and foremost, the money will be used to cover the costs of providing printing in the labs. It will buy paper, toner cartridges, and maintenance kits. It will cover the costs of repairs. Eventually, we will use it to buy newer printers and to develop new services such as color printing.

5. What happens if I get a bad printout?

We don’t want you to pay for a bad printout. Although we do not have a method for reimbursing you in cash, we do have a method in place for reprinting the document for you at no charge. This only applies to cases where the printer caused the problem, such as black streaks on the page, faded printing, or wrinkled paper. We will keep the original, damaged printout and print a second copy for free.

6. What if I accidentally print the wrong thing?

The user must be responsible for what he or she sends to the printer. Make sure you check your “Print Preview” before sending a document. At the Print Release Station, only select the files you really want to print. If you print the wrong pages, or you print the wrong document, or if the printed page just doesn’t look like you expected it to look, we will not reprint your document for you.

7. How do I put money on my card?

The Print Release Stations in each lab have card readers that use the money on the Smart Chip on your FSU ID Card. You can put money on the card by using one of the Cash-to-Chip machines located around campus. There are Cash-to-Chip machines in the Carothers and Union Labs, and there is one located just outside the entrance to the Strozier Lab.