THE UNIVERSITY DARY IANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009
BACK TO SCHOOL
41
CAMPUS
Paper no longer necessary in some classrooms
Professors create a paperless classroom by using Blackboard
BY STEPH SCHNEIDER sschneider@kansan.com
University teachers and the Center for Sustainability are using computer technology to produce as little waste as possible. Paperless classes are becoming more possible on campus thanks to a computer network system that saves paper, printing fees and students the hassle of having to be physically present to submit assignments.
Paperless classes are a trend in which teachers use Blackboard to administer assignments, quizzes and syllabi to students to reduce the amount of paper printed for the class.
For the past three semesters, Stacey Swaringen White, director of academic programs for
the Center for Sustainability and associate professor of architecture and urban planning, posted readings online and had students submit papers through Blackboard.
"I think students
"I have actually received notes from students thanking me for my comments," White said. "I think it takes more time for me to grade digitally, but its important to show students that I am committed to
finding ways to have a lesser impact on our environment."
care about efforts to save resources," White said. "Going paperless is, I think, ultimately easier and cheaper for them as well."
"I think students care about efforts to save resources."
Dan Bernstein, director of the Center for Teaching Excellence and professor of psychology, minimizes paper use by having most assignments done online and returned electronically, including term papers.
"I encourage students to read course materials online rather than printing them onto paper," Bernstein said. "In the end, the only required work on paper are sit down exams."
In the past, White said, she was unsure if students even read comments on their hardcopy papers. Now, through her use of Blackboard and the "track changes" and "insert note" functions in Word, it's easier for them to read the comments online, she said.
White said students seemed to appreciate her efforts in conserving paper and appreciated not having to pay to print something out.
In efforts to conserve paper through printing, Joshua L. Foster, Lincoln, Neb., graduate student and research assistant for the Center for Sustainability, is working with the Student Environmental Advisory Board on a Student Senate bill.
STACEY SWEARINGEN WHITE Center for Sustainability
The bill would encourage a reduction in paper use through the purchase of duplex printers, or printers that print on both sides of
the paper, Foster said.
"Only specific departments across campus,liketheStudent Success Technology Services office,have implemented such policies so far," Foster said. "The adoption of a University-wide policy would be ideal but is
only in the research stage."
In addition to the use of duplex printing, the printer settings would reduce default margins on Word documents from 1.25" to .5".
The Center for Sustainability is using an example from the University of Iowa, where a significant reduction in paper use was the result of duplex printing, to develop its own program. According to its Web site, the duplex printing at the University of Iowa saved about 1.75 million sheets of paper per semester.
— Edited by Hannah DeClerk
ADMINISTRATION
Regents vote to increase tuition
Change will make it possible for the University to keep the tuition compact
BY JESSE RANGEL jrangel@kansan.com
The struggle between shrinking state funds and tight family finances has been settled, and it's students who will have to pay more next year.
Tuition is increasing $186 per 15-hour semester for in-state undergraduate students, from $3,520.85 to $3,706.85. Tuition for incoming in-state freshmen for a 15-hour semester will increase $240.75,from $3682.10 to $4,10285. This amount will remain fixed for four years, given that the freshmen are seeking their first degree at the University.
Out-of-state undergraduates will pay $489 more, from $8,559.35 to $9,048.35 for a 15-hour semester. Out-of-state freshmen will pay $633 more, from $9,454.10 to $10,087.10. These amounts do not include required campus fees.
The Board of Regents set the tuition increases because the state is cutting the Regents' budget by 10 percent.
The Regents approved the
increase June 25 in a 7-2 vote. Regents chairwoman Donna Shank and Regent Gary Sherrer voted not to increase tuition. The tuition increase that the Regents approved was one of two proposals the University submitted. Previously, the University proposed increases of $123.75 for in-state undergraduates and $206.25 for in-state incoming freshmen.
Interim provost Danny Anderson said the University submitted new proposals to accommodate future state budget cuts.
"We look at balancing what is the right amount and what we could be expecting." Anderson said.
Sherrer, who voted down only the University's proposal, said the University's anticipation of more budget cuts was not playing smart politics.
"If you start raising tuition in anticipating possible cuts, then in my judgement that makes you a target for those who are making them," Sherrer said.
Shank said she voted against increasing tuition for the University because it was more than she wanted to do.
She said she would have agreed to a 3 to 4 percent tuition increase for the University, but not the revised 6 and 7 percent increases proposed for undergraduates and freshmen.
Shank also voted against raising tuition for Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. She approved raising tuition rates for Kansas State University and Emporia State University.
Regent Christine Downey-Schmidt said she approved the revised increases because she thought the institutions needed them.
Former chancellor Robert Hemenway said the increase allowed the University to keep its promise of the four-tear tuition compact for incoming freshman, something he championed.
"There was an endorsement by the board of the tuition compact," Hemenway said. "To incoming freshmen, it says your tuition is not going up any."
Edited by Mike Bontrager