At Albany Law School we have been charging a flat rate per semester for
students interested in using laser printer services. It used to be $30 per
semester, but now it is down to $20 per semester. We have 3 (soon to be 4)
dedicated machines with HP III's attached. Students can make as many copies
as they please. There is a sign up sheet for each machine crunch times,
when students can sign up in advance for 20 minute periods.
Students usually use the service for resumes and cover letters, though many
like the convenience for term papers. Secretary's at the school are always
willing to handle one-time jobs for students that don't want to shell out the
fee. About 1/4 of our students pay the fee. It is variously estimated that
1/3-3/4 of the students use the service whether they paid the fee or not! I
have caught a few ne'er do wells and they confessed and humbly paid the fee.
Personally, I don't think there is that much abuse of the system.
When students pay the fee the first time they are given private instructions in
how to use the laser printer, with advice on fonts, and envelopes, and using
their own paper, and changing the toner, etc. They are given a unique password
which they must enter to use the computer attached to the printer. They must
sign an agreement that they will not provide the password or perform the work
of others on the machine (moot court team projects specifically excepted).
Though some students do violate their solemn agreement, the system has made
money consistently for the last five years. Enough money that we have been
able to replace or add a computer and printer every year. The "honor" policy
maximizes the amount of money going into equipment for the students and
minimizes the amount of money spent on administration or overhead - such as
vendacard systems. Others here may differ, but I'm pretty pleased with how
things have worked out.
Ed Brennan
Albany Law School
Dir. of Computer Resources
(518) 445-2346
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