University of Cincinnati

Progress Report on Pharos Uniprint Print Management System

by Melissa Norris, Steve Marine, and Don Rainwater

In February 2003, UC introduced the Pharos Uniprint print management system for use at public printers in most UC computer labs and libraries. In addition, a print charge of 7¢ a page was implemented with each UC student receiving at least 100 free black and white prints per quarter, with some colleges providing additional printing subsidies.

This initiative was led by UCit, University Libraries, and Medical Center Academic Information Technology and Libraries (AIT&L) in an effort to manage printing costs, reduce waste (both of money and resources), and to free up ITIE funds often used to supplement a department's cost of printing. It was hoped that the new print-management procedures and cost to print would reduce public printing at UC by 40%, a number reported by other institutions implementing similar programs.

Usage Summary from Three Project Leaders:

Before Uniprint

  • UC spent an estimated $600,000 annually to provide "free" public printing
  • An estimated 23 million pages were printed annually
  • Pages printed per year by college:
    -  AIT&L:  2 million
    -  UCit:  2 million
    -  University Libraries:  1.8 million
  • Annual cost of consumables (paper and toner) by college:
    -  AIT&L: $32,200
    -  UCit: $32,200
    -  University Libraries: $28,980

After Uniprint

  • Pages printed per year by college:
    -  AIT&L:  486,011:  a 76% reduction
    -  UCit: 871,590: a 56% reduction
    -  University Libraries:  573,081:  a 68% reduction
  • Annual Cost of consumables by college:
    -  AIT&L:  $7,825:  a 75% savings
    -  UCit:  $14,033:  a 56% savings
    -  University Libraries:  $9,227:  a 68% savings 

Participants

Units currently participating in Uniprint are as follows:

  • McMicken College of Arts & Sciences
  • College-Conservatory or Music
  • College of Applied Science
  • College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services
  • College of Business
  • College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning
  • College of Medicine
  • College of Allied Health Sciences
  • Housing
  • UCit
  • University Libraries

For more information on how other colleges or units may participate, contact Don Rainwater at 556-9020.


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