Ohio University should instate a printing quota at printing labs on campus, according to a resolution adopted at last night's Student Senate meeting.
Senators unanimously opposed the idea of a universal printing fee in labs that would be billed to students' accounts.
The resolution comes a week after Julia Zimmerman, dean of the libraries, asked for the senate's opinion on how to cut down wasteful printing in the libraries, which she said can waste as much as $50,000 in paper and ink every year.
Zimmerman said some options included billing students' accounts per page printed or setting a quota of printouts allowed each quarter and billing for each page after that.
"Allowing students to have a certain amount free is better than having nothing free," said Senator Bryan O'Shea, who co-sponsored the resolution. However, the senate did not suggest what the quota should be.
Ryan Mick, who also co-sponsored the resolution, said that although there is wasteful printing, there needs to be a balance between automatically charging students for all printing costs, especially because tuition and fees continue to increase and not charging students at all. He said for some students, printing is necessary for research projects and course reserves.
In other senate news:
Jackie Legg, business manager at Hudson, asked for senators' opinions about health care for next year. The company that helps to provide health insurance for students declined to continue for next year, and Legg is trying to select a plan for next year.
About 3,200 students are covered by university health insurance, including most graduate students and all international students. Legg, who also spoke to Graduate Student Senate this week, said the problem in finding an affordable plan is that the university and insurance carrier are spending more money than they are receiving. These losses make it hard to attract bids for next year's insurance.
Out of 25 companies invited to bid, five did, Legg said. Currently she is considering options from Student Resources ranging from various levels of coverage, deductibles and co-pays.
The senate will meet Sunday to discuss the options for next year's health insurance plans. Senate President Jamie Walter said all students are invited to come to the meeting at 5 p.m. in the senate office in Baker University Center Room 304.