This help page attempts to answer any questions you have about the print quota process. Each student receives an initial print quota based on the number of credit hours they are registered for. The print quota software Cedarville uses displays this quota in a dollar amount rather than in pages. (Please refer to the section labeled “Why does the print window display a dollar amount when I print?” for a more detailed explanation of this change.)
If you have any additional questions after reading these FAQs, please send an email to Tech Help or call 937-766-7905. We would be happy to assist you.
Use the links below to quickly jump to a section in this article:
What is a print quota?
A “print” is a single page with toner on it. A “print” is not a specific print job with multiple pages. In other words, when we refer to the number of “prints” a student receives a semester, we are not referring to the action of selecting “print,” but rather the number of pages that are printed.
Information Technology has chosen to refer to these entities as “prints” rather than pages because the cost of the toner on the paper is more expensive than the cost of the paper it is printed on. Students cannot bring their own paper to expand their print quota total because they are still using University toner.
Why does the print window display a dollar amount when I print?
The University’s current print quota software displays all printing as a dollar amount. This is not a charge to your student account. Each print is equated with 8.5 cents of available print quota. For example, if a student has 500 prints remaining in their print quota, the print quota balance will be expressed as $42.50 (500 x $0.085 = $42.50).
Am I charged for each print I make?
No, you are not charged for each print you make. When you choose to print to a network laser printer, the pop-up window will display a dollar amount. This is the value that will be deducted from your available print quota balance if you proceed to print. For example, if you are printing a document that is five pages long (each print is valued at 8.5 cents), the amount to be printed will be represented as 42.5 cents (5 x $0.085 = $0.425) and your available print quota will be reduced by that amount after printing. This is not a charge to your student account.
How many prints does each student receive each semester?
At the start of each term (August 1 for Fall, January 1 for Spring, and May 1 for Summer) the print quota of each currently enrolled student (regardless of credit load or full- or half-time status) will be set at $42.50 (500 prints). Your print quota is not a refundable amount and is not part of your student account balance. Historically, more than 85% of Cedarville students print less than 500 pages per term.
The print quota is reset at the beginning of each semester including summer term for enrolled students.
How do I add more prints to my quota, and what does it cost?
If you find that you are exhausting your current print quota, navigate to myCU portal and search for the transaction "Increase my Print Quota". Or click the following link: Refill Print Quota
You will need to provide a credit card number to add prints to your print quota balance. You cannot charge prints to your student account.
No credit card? Contact Information Technology at 937-766-7905 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm) for assistance.
How can I reduce the amount of toner and/or number of prints I use?
You have a number of options to reduce your toner usage (the most expensive component in the printing process) and/or the number of prints for a print job. Refer to the help pages for more information on printing PowerPoint slides.
- Print only what is necessary. If you can, save copies of files on your computer instead of printing. PDFs are a common alternative to printed pages. See the Create a PDF help page.
- Avoid dark PowerPoint backgrounds.
- Print multiple PowerPoint slides per page.
- Print PDFs in multiple-pages-per-sheet mode. Refer to the help page for specific instructions.
Does the print quota roll over into future semesters?
Your current print quota will be refilled up to $42.50 at the beginning of each new term (January 1, May 1, and August 1). Although your print quota is expressed in a dollar amount, refunds for unused prints are not available, and will not be credited to you above and beyond the $42.50 you get for the new term.
Graduate students from prior terms who are not currently registered for classes should use the myCU portal to establish a print quota (see How do I add more prints to my quota?, above). You may contact Information Technology at 937-766-7905 if you have any questions.
How can I check the current balance of my print quota?
When you send a print job to an open-access computer lab or a classroom laser printer, a pop-up box will display with your current print quota balance and the value of the current print job you are sending.
To check your current balance from a classroom or lab computer running Windows 10:
- Click the small "up arrow" in the right corner of the taskbar to show hidden icons.
- Hover your cursor over the "PaperCut" (Green "P") icon. This will display your username and current print balance.
- Click the icon to open a small window that will display your print quota.
To check your current print quota balance and view a report of all of your print jobs from the Student Homepage:
- Proceed to myCU portal.
- Search for the “Print quota usage” and click the Task > If prompted, enter your CedarNet username and password and click [Log in].
- On the page that appears, click on the "Summary" link from the left sidebar.
Can I transfer my extra prints? What about refunds for the prints I buy?
Your print quota is allocated for your printing needs and cannot be transferred to another person.
Students working on team projects are encouraged to take turns printing documents so that the printing is distributed more equally between group members.
Unfortunately, refunds for unused prints (even if you purchased the additional prints) are not available.
What happens if the print job is unsuccessful?
If there is a paper jam or the print quality is unsatisfactory, you may submit an online service ticket to request a refund for the failed print job. If no paper comes out of the printer, your print quota likely will not have been reduced and therefore you will not need to submit a service request for a print quota adjustment. If it has been reduced, you may submit a service request.
If the print job fails because you do not have sufficient prints remaining in your quota, you will need to add prints to your quota using the appropriate Task in myCU portal before the job will print. Step-by-step instructions are provided in the “How do I add more prints to my account?” section above.
How do I request a refund for a print job?
If your print job failed due to printer malfunction (e.g. smeared ink).
To request a print quota refund:
- Navigate to the TeamDynamix Service Catalog.
- Select the "Printing" service item.
- Click "Printing: Refund Print Quota" > Click [Refund Print Quota].
How do I view my print job history?
- Click the small "up arrow" on the Windows 10 or 7 task bar to show hidden icons.
- Click the "PaperCut" icon (when you hover over the icon, it will display your username and current print balance). A small window will appear.
- Click “Details” > Enter your username and password > Click [Log in].
- Click “Recent Print Jobs” to view your previous print jobs.
What if I want to print in color?
There is a color CedarPrint station in the library by the vending machine which can release jobs sent to the CedarPrint Color printer. It can be installed using the CedarPrint installation instructions for PC or Mac
The cost will be the same with black and white print.
The MediaPLEX continues to offer color printing for a fee, as well.
What if I want to print duplex?
Duplex (double-sided) printing will decrease your print quota by two prints. Duplex printing is not discounted because the cost of toner is higher than the cost of paper. Duplex printing will still use the same amount of toner as two separate prints.
What if I want to print in a computer lab or classroom?
Faculty and staff do not need a print quota to print to laser or desktop printers located in offices or departments. Student worker print quotas are not decreased by printing department work in office areas.
As a convenience, each faculty and staff member is given a print quota of $5.00 (58 prints) per term for use in the open access computer labs, classrooms and CedarPrint stations. If desired, department staff may add more prints to a faculty, staff, or student worker’s account by submitting an online service request and entering their department GL number.
Are guests and alumni given print quota as well?
Guests and alumni are not assigned a print quota. Guests and alumni may use the myCU portal transaction to purchase prints. Guests who purchase a print quota must use the prints before their account expires, or else the print quota will expire with the account and cannot be refunded.
Why did Information Technology Institute a print quota?
During Fall 2009, Information Technology noticed a 20% increase in printing over past years and wondered if students could be encouraged to reduce their printing, especially since toner and paper expenses eventually affect tuition.
A trial print quota system was introduced in the Spring of 2010 in an effort to encourage all users to become good stewards of the technology resources provided to them. Students responded positively and the increase in printing was curbed at 5-10%, which was a significant improvement.
The print quota system also supports the University's efforts to be environmentally-conscious. Storing documents electronically rather than printing them will help reduce our use of natural resources.
How have students responded to the print quota?
Information Technology is thankful for the positive student response to the print quota, and was pleased to see a 35% decrease in printing since print quotas were instituted.