Campus technology has created new printing networks to replace “okcuprint” after transitioning to new printers and copiers.
Gerry Hunt, chief information officer, said “okcuprint” has been replaced by “student print” and “employeeprint.”
“Studentprint” and “employeeprint” have been available since the end of last semester. These new networks and “okcuprint” are all currently available.
“Since we’ve created separate queues for students and employees, we wanted to make the networks more specific,” Hunt said. “We left ‘okcuprint’ in place for now so we don’t cause confusion, but we encourage students to start using the ‘studentprint’ option. We plan on removing ‘okcuprint’ this summer.”
Hunt said this new system provides a more secure printing and copying environment.
“We deployed a new copier fleet, and with that, we’re changing how employees print as well,” Hunt said. “They’re going to print and copy the same way students do by swiping their card. Before, teacher’s computers were connected to a specific printing device, and they couldn’t print anywhere else.”
Regina McManigell Grijalva, associate professor of English, said the new way of employee printing is helpful and makes scanning easier.
“I find it useful because I can scan pieces of text and put them on D2L easily,” Grijalva said. “Teachers used to have to photocopy the whole thing. It’s nice to be able to scan things and send it to people without having to print every time.”
In addition to the new printing networks, Hunt said campus technology has dispersed and minimized the number of printers and copiers on campus.
“When we analyzed print and copy volume on all the devices across campus, there were some machines that were barely being used because they were in employee offices,” Hunt said. “The amount of volume going to the device didn’t justify the expense of the equipment, and when I saw that, I took the opportunity to move them out to more public spaces.”
Hunt said there used to be 106 copiers, and now there are 82.
“We took every opportunity to move copiers out into public areas so students aren’t forced to go to the library or university center to print, especially at night,” Hunt said.
Josh Mueller, English senior, said moving the copiers to new places can have disadvantages.
“I think moving the machines is good for students because it allows more places to print, but if they took them away from the faculty, then they have to compete with students to print. Maybe the faculty should deserve priority,” Mueller said.
Grijalva said it’s more equitable and fair to move the copiers into more accessible spaces.
“Putting faculty more on the level with students isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” Grijalva said. “We non-managerial faculty are sort of the middle ground between students and administrators. Printing the same way as students makes the process a little more equitable.”
Hunt also said redistributing the printers and copiers has saved paper. In January alone, 8,700 pages of paper that were sent to the copiers were never printed, whereas before, employee materials would print automatically.
Grijalva said she noticed a lot of paper was wasted when using the old copiers.
“The Native American in me makes me really mindful of our resources,” Grijalva said. “I think this is a really good thing because it will eliminate unintentional and careless wasting of paper.”
For any questions about the new printing networks or the new copiers and printers, students can contact Gerry Hunt at ghunt@okcu.edu, or visit the campus technology help center in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.
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