n We wanted to follow up on a recent column by Ethan Rosenberg (“Even Technology Can’t Put a Stop to Procrastination,” Oct. 20, p. 5) regarding some information about the College of Fine Arts’ computer lab.
The CFA computer lab is indeed a Macintosh-based lab, primarily designed with students and faculty in the School of Visual Arts graphic design program in mind.
Unfortunately on that day, Rosenberg had to go elsewhere to print his assignment since he did not know where to find the CD drive on the Macs in the lab.
The lab has a help desk that is staffed seven days a week for 90 hours during the academic year to assist CFA students, faculty and staff and any other member of the Boston University community who utilizes the lab.
Additionally, the CFA computer lab has a number of printing, copying and scanning options for any member or department of the BU community to utilize. These options include black and white and color printing, copying and scanning on letter-sized to wide-format posters on a wide variety of paper types. These options are available on some or all of the lab’s 10 output devices to meet any student’s budget and/or requirements.
Given all of this, it is necessary to charge for printing and copying for several reasons. One, the lab is supported and run by the CFA, unlike the Charles River Campus labs which are run and maintained by the BU Office of Information Technology. Therefore, the print quota does not apply in the CFA computer lab.
Second, the promotion of free copying and printing would generate an enormous amount of wasted supplies in the form of paper, toner and ink for print and copy jobs not required or picked up.
Third, the lab offers students multiple options for delivering high-quality prints, which translates to expensive supplies. Finally, the revenues generated from printing and copying go back toward providing a high-level of customer service at the help desk, for the maintenance and upkeep of the lab and to continuously improve upon the services offered to students.
Stephen Lau
CFA Information Technology Office
Senior Systems Administrator