--- Forwarded Message from Phade Orion Vader <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2000 10:41:37 -0600 >From: Phade Orion Vader <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Charging for printing in Lab >In-reply-to: <[log in to unmask]> >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]> ------------------ Hello from Texas Tech. We had a similar discussion here some years ago. I COMPLETELY empathize with your thoughts about not wanting to establish a cost center in your Lab... handling money is an intricate, serious operation as far as I'm concerned. The auditing and processes to maintain a cash location in our institution have plenty of rigid protocols, so much so that unless a unit REALLY REALLY needs it, it is entirely avoided {and often not even approved by the Budget or Accounting offices}. I think your term that it sounds like a nightmare is very probably right. The mechanisms, and manpower, to charge for anything, print outs included, has to be considered, aside from the mechanics of cash handling. There are many valid questions that have to be answered before something like this should be started--page counts {how?}, cash box responsibility, on-hand change, are you state-based or private {flexibility with funds of this type; which account purchases materials/which gets reimbursed}, monthly tallies, is there actually enough cost recoup to justify everything?, so on and so forth. What we did was to eliminate printing altogether in our Independent Computer Lab. Printing under the supervision of a guided class is another story of course {especially in two computerized classrooms we are designing}, but there was simply too much abuse, confusion and consumption otherwise. And we saw the same thing you are experiencing--at first, things went well with printing, but eventually all kinds of non-assigment-related printing started showing up. {Plus, if there was a mechanical problem, some students decided to "troubleshoot" the equipment--not a good thing--without telling us there was a printer problem.} We have a large student computer center in our Main Campus Library that has plenty of provisions for student printing, for whatever reason, and the necessary accounting mechanisms setup to charge for services. What could be referred there was done so. In eliminating in-lab printing, we lost some functionality, yes, but the larger administrative headache { ! } was prevented. We work closely with our faculty, and they understand totally, and find alternate means for assignments that might otherwise need a printed copy of something. We are also working with our internal programmer to redirect a print job to a batched e-mail... in this way, whatever would otherwise be printed gets e-mailed either to the professor/instructor or to the student, and the recipient can then print wherever and whenever they want outside the Lab. This is something we are looking at on several "canned" software packages and some of our own things. This is a very heavy solution on the technical side, though. If it weren't for having this programming talent in-house, we couldn't do it. One other thing we have done on a piecemeal basis is to store potential prints or assignments on a network drive, and we print or e-mail the files when the assigning faculty requests them {some manufactured software packages have utilities within the program for this}. Just one idea. Hope this information helps... the administrator in me says "run" whenever collecting and handling money for something like this is mentioned. Is there any possibility to educate those above {Chair/Dean/VP/Provost} about what this really means for you? Best of luck with everything-- Phade Vader Director Language Learning Laboratory & Resource Center Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX ------------------ At 08:50 AM 3/31/00 -0500, you wrote: >--- Forwarded Message from "Tracy N. Dingess" <[log in to unmask]> --- > >>From: "Tracy N. Dingess" <[log in to unmask]> >>To: "Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum" <[log in to unmask]> >>Subject: Lab Tracking Software and Procedures >>Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 10:23:35 -0500 >>Importance: Normal >>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> > >------------------ >Duh! > >So it only took me a week to think of this one. Thanks you guys for all the >info on tracking and management software. I have a new one along that line >for you. > >My Department (Foreign Languages) has not been charging students for their >printer use in the open access lab. Consequently, students are using more >and more paper to print non-assignment materials and personal email >messages, etc. from our lab. I have been instructed to begin charging for >all print services in this lab. Printing in our smart classroom will remain >no-charge. > >Could anyone give me guidelines on how to setup the charges, how to best >manage the incoming nickels, dimes and quarters, how to handle making change >for the dollar bills? I think this in going to turn into a nightmare >myself. > >I could purchase a small lockbox to install (fasten to the desk) at the >attendants station near the door, but know that box will have to be opened >many times a day to make change, so why bother putting a drop slot in the >top? > >I could purchase another lockbox to keep in the inner office (secure >location) so the closing attendant can remove the cash from the lab and >store it in the inner office box until it can be turned over to the office >manager the next morning. > >This is the super simple version. What can I do that would be better, more >efficient, less prone to invite a student or attendant with an empty pocket >to try stealing cash, etc . . . ? > >I don't like the idea of having cash in the lab at all, but it is not my >decision. > >Tracy. > Phade Orion Vader, Director Language Learning Laboratory & Resource Center Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas USA 806.742.3151