Navigating university life comes with its own set of unique needs, and printing documents is often high on the list for students at the University of Kansas (KU). Whether you need to print assignments, research papers, or presentation materials, KU provides a range of convenient and accessible printing services across its Lawrence and Edwards campuses. Understanding these services, especially Ku Printing, is crucial for every Jayhawk. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about printing on campus, from quick print options to managing your printing costs and getting help when you need it.
Express Printing: Quick Prints on the Go
For those moments when you need to print something quickly without the hassle of logging into a full computer workstation, KU offers Express Printing stations. These convenient kiosks allow you to print directly from a USB drive, email attachments, or web storage. Ideal for printing on the fly, Express Print stations are designed for speed and ease of use. Simply plug in your device, select your document, and follow the prompts. You will be required to log in with your KU Online ID and password to access the printing service, and ensure your KU Card has sufficient funds. Keep in mind that Express Print sessions are limited to a maximum of five minutes to ensure availability for everyone.
You can find Express Printing stations at several key locations across both campuses, including:
- Anschutz Library
- Watson Library
- BEST Open Computing Lab (Edwards Campus)
- Regents Center “Hawks Nest” (Edwards Campus)
- Murphy Art & Architecture Library
- Spahr Engineering Library
Print from Anywhere: Flexibility at Your Fingertips
For a more flexible printing solution, Print from Anywhere allows you to send print jobs from your personal devices—be it your computer, laptop, or smartphone—to multifunction printers (MFDs) located throughout KU. This service offers unparalleled convenience, enabling you to print from virtually anywhere and pick up your documents at a location that suits you best. Whether you’re working from your dorm room, a coffee shop, or another campus building, Print from Anywhere streamlines your workflow.
To utilize this service, visit the Print from Anywhere portal and follow the simple instructions to connect your device and send your print jobs to the campus-wide printing network.
Understanding the Costs of KU Printing
While scanning documents on campus MFDs is completely free—allowing you to save scanned files to a USB drive or send them directly to your KU email—printing and copying services have associated costs. Black and white prints and copies are priced at $0.08 per page, while color prints and copies are $0.48 per page.
To pay for printing and copying, you’ll need to have funds available in your Beak ‘Em Bucks account, which is linked to your KU Card. You can manage and add funds to your Beak ‘Em Bucks account through the KU Card website. Upon logging into any campus computer, you can readily check your available printing funds. Remember to always log off computers after use to protect your account and prevent unauthorized printing.
Free Printing Allocation for Students
KU recognizes the printing needs of its students and provides a free printing allocation to currently enrolled students each semester. During the spring and fall semesters, students receive $8 worth of free printing, and during the summer semester, this allocation is $4. These funds are automatically added to student accounts at the beginning of each semester, typically the week classes commence, and any unused balance is removed a week after finals. It’s important to note that free printing balances do not roll over to subsequent semesters.
However, students employed by the university as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) do not receive this free printing allocation. Instead, GTAs have access to free printing services in the Graduate Student Study located in Watson Library, catering to their specific academic and teaching-related printing needs.
Managing Your KU Print Account
Keeping track of your printing balance and managing your print jobs is straightforward with KU’s online tools.
Checking Your Printing Balance
You can easily check your current printing and copying balance by logging in to the MyPrint website using your KU Online ID and password. This portal provides a real-time view of your available funds, helping you manage your printing expenses effectively.
Requesting a Refund for Print Issues
In the event of physical issues with a print job, such as paper jams, tearing, toner issues, or other system-related errors, you are eligible to request a refund. However, refunds are not granted for print jobs that were printed by mistake, formatted incorrectly, or unintended for printing by the student.
To request a refund:
- Visit the MyPrint website, locate the document in question, and click the “Refund” button.
- Alternatively, you can contact a staff member at your printing/copying location and present the damaged documents for on-site refund approval.
If your refund is approved, the corresponding amount will be credited to your KU Print account. These refunded funds will be utilized first for your subsequent print jobs before drawing from your free printing allocation or Beak ‘Em Bucks account.
Getting Help with KU Printing Services
Navigating printing services can sometimes require assistance. KU provides multiple avenues for support to ensure a smooth printing experience.
In Computer Labs:
If you encounter printer issues within a computer lab, the quickest way to receive assistance is to ask for help directly within the lab. Lab assistants are often available to provide immediate support and troubleshooting.
Additional Support Channels:
For more comprehensive support or if you are unable to resolve your issue in a lab, the KU Information Technology Customer Service Center (ITCSC) is readily available. You can reach them via email at [email protected] or by phone at 785-864-8080.
Self-Service Resources:
For self-guided assistance and step-by-step instructions, KU offers extensive online resources. The How To KU website provides numerous guides and tutorials on student printing, while the KU IT Knowledge Base offers a wealth of information and troubleshooting tips related to KU’s IT services, including printing.
By understanding and utilizing these KU printing services and support resources, students can efficiently manage their printing needs throughout their academic journey at the University of Kansas.
