Student Print Account
Clark College implemented a print management system in computer labs in an effort to curb waste and control the cost of consumable supplies.
All students are permitted 1500 free printing credits every quarter. The 1500 free credits quota expires at the end of each quarter. Purchased credits roll over, and end every academic year.
Printing Job Costs:
Page Type | Credits Needed |
1 page black and white | 5 printing credits |
1 duplex page black and white | 8 printing credits |
1 page color | 20 printing credits |
If you run out of printing credits, additional credits can be purchased by visiting the SHL135/CCW129/CTC212 PaperCut Print Credit Vending Machine. For questions please call or email calling the Labs Office at: (360) 992-2431.
Printing Credit Rates:
Purchase Cost | Credits Issued |
$5.00 | 500 printing credits |
$10.00 | 1000 printing credits |
$20.00 | 2000 printing credits |
The print management system will:
- Provide each student with a free print quota equivalent to 300 monochrome pages (8.5" x 11") per quarter.
- Provide a mechanism where students can purchase additional print credits.
- Provide students with a user interface where they can check their print activity, account balances and the environmental impact of their print activity.
- Provide administrative reports that will aid in planning.
Below you will find an FAQ document that will answer many of the questions you may have. If you have questions that are not answered in the FAQ document, feel free to contact labman@clark.edu.
Clark College Computer Lab Print Management System: Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you implementing a Print Management System?
Expenses for consumable supplies (paper, toner) have increased sharply in recent years. This is due to the marked increase in online course material and other online resources. But we are also observing considerable waste in the form of discarded print jobs. The Print Management System will help conserve resources by elevating student awareness of inefficient and wasteful printing habits.
How does the Print Management System work?
The print management software tracks student print activity based on the student lab account. With certain exceptions, you are required to logon to the network using your personal username and password in order to print. At the beginning of each quarter, you are allocated 1500 "credits" that can be expended on various types of print jobs. Each point has a cash equivalent of one cent. The cost, in points, for common print jobs are as follows:
- 8.5" x 11" monochrome –5 credits/page
- 8.5" x 11" monochrome double sided (duplex) printing–8 credits/page (saves points on print jobs of 4 or more pages)
- 8.5 x" 11" color–20 credits/page (not all labs have color printers)
Once the quota is expended, you will need to purchase additional points in order to continue printing.
How are additional credits purchased?
If a top-up card obtained from a vending machine is lost or stolen, can it be replaced?
Will I receive any warnings that my print quota is about to expire?
Do unused quota credits carry forward from one quarter to the next?
Which labs are impacted?
How was the amount of the free quota decided?
How was the cost per page determined?
Will this system generate revenue in excess of actual costs?
How will this impact generic lab accounts that have been used by departments to avoid problems with individual student accounts at the beginning of each quarter?
Will you be educating students on ways to print more efficiently?