Although the unique user population indicated a slight decrease over summer 2003, logs indicated that printing continues to grow quickly. The 702,816 sheets printed is yet another new record. It is a strong indication that students continue to use the various computing facilities to print out material. The data below was collected A record shattering 588,231 sheets were used between June 21 and September 29. A change in the limit that students can print without accruing a per sheet rate was reduced by 100 sheets was approved to start following summer session. This is intended to further contain the growth in printing.

Fig. 1

This was the fourth summer in which Computer Lab Management charged for excessive printing and set double-sided printing as a default. Excessive printing is defined as utilizing more than 200 sheets in each of the summer sessions. This will be the last quarter in which 200 sheets is the allowable limit. Although the two changes contributed to a significant drop in printing in the summer of 2001, printing increased beyond its 1999 levels, when double-sided printing was not available. The number of sheets used in Summer 2004 shattered the previous record posted in 1999. This represents a significant concern in allocating resources to meet print demands.

Growth

Fig. 2

Figure 2 above shows the change from summer session to summer session. The 19 percent increase in 2004 reflects the difference from the 2003 summer session. Though the pace of print growth has slowed from the previous year, the double-digit growth pattern is still a major concern.

Printing Costs and Income

Although printing and costs have increased, revenue from excess printing has not increased sufficiently to compensate for costs. Computer Lab Management charges students, staff, and faculty for excessive printing. For the summer months there were 78 charges for a total of $888.30. Excluding depreciation, over $20,000 was spent in excess of revenues to support printing for both summer sessions. Figure 3 below details the costs for supporting printing and the income from excess printing.

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