Personal Printers

Date Issued: January 25, 2007
Date Revised: November 5, 2007

I. Policy

This policy sets forth guidelines for increasing the prevalence of group printers and reducing the prevalence of personal printers on the Luther campus.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to make Luther’s printing infrastructure more efficient and less costly. It seeks to minimize the number of personal printers on campus as they are costly and inefficient. The campus community will instead be encouraged to utilize workgroup printers.

III. Scope

This policy applies to LIS and the Luther College campus and affects faculty and staff.

IV. Terms and Definitions

• Personal Printer – DeskJet/Inkjet/Laser printer that is placed in a faculty or staff workspace that is not shared via the network with other users.
• Workgroup Printer – Any printer accessible to multiple users via the Luther_College network. Includes Laser printers and Plotter printers.

V. Procedures and Guidelines

1. LIS will work with departments to ensure a suitable number of appropriate Workgroup output devices (printers, copiers, etc.) are available for general department use.
2. Beginning with the 2008-09 budget year, Personal printers will be considered departmental equipment and will not be centrally supplied by LIS.
3. Departments will have the option to purchase personal printers as needed from their own budgets. LIS encourages departments to think carefully about where these printers need to be deployed.
4. For departments choosing to purchase Personal printers, LIS will recommend for purchase and use:
   • One Color Inkjet printer for use as a Personal printer
   • One Black and White laser printer for use as a Personal printer
   • Departments are not required to purchase the recommended printer
5. For departments purchasing the LIS-recommended printer:
   • LIS will stock cartridges for Inkjet printers for 3 years following initial recommendation
   • LIS will stock toner for Laser printers for 4 years following initial recommendation
   • The LIS Help Desk will provide the following support for recommended printers:
     • Installation of printer drivers on workstation
     • Replacement of printer cables
     • Rubber rejuvenation
     • Clearing of paper jams
6. For departments purchasing non-recommended personal printers:
   • Departments (not the LIS Help Desk) will be responsible for all support and supplies, including:
     • Technical support including installation
     • Acquiring cartridges or toner
   • LIS cannot guarantee compatibility with current or future college computer equipment for non-recommended printers.
7. For all Personal printers:
   • The Help Desk will not remove a personal printer from a Faculty/Staff office for deep cleaning or repair work.
8. LIS will no longer provide loaner printers, except for temporary setup situations (for events such as summer registration, etc.).
9. Existing personal printers will be considered ‘recommended printers’ until LIS considers them at the end of their lifespan.

VI. Confidentiality and Record

Personal and Workgroup printer information will be recorded in the Track-It system by the Purchasing Coordinator. This will include make, model, purchase date and price, user name, and department.