Faculty expects copy room closure

In light of the budget situation at the college, the administration plans to close down the copy room central service for faculty administration.

David Garlock, director of Purchasing and Auxiliary Services, stated in an email that the decision to decentralize photocopying for academic and administrative departments on campus was not made by the Purchasing Department but rather by the Office of Administration and Finance. Garlock also reported that this is a change in policy that the Purchasing staff supports and will help facilitate. The individuals employed in the copy room will be offered employment at the college at the same salaries.

"We are not quite sure that we are going to close it yet," said Gabriel Eszterhas, vice president for administration and finance.

Eszterhas reported that although copy services support the entire campus, most of the campus does not bother using it and approximated that less than 25 percent utilize the services.

"This is one area that we are looking at for potentially achieving some savings," he stated.

David Sitt, deputy chair of the psychology department, stated that he was informed through email that the copy room is scheduled to close on Oct. 1, and any copies needed prior to that time should be done accordingly to avoid last minute emergencies.

"We have some money but it's already ear-marked, and that's what the copy center is here for," said Sitt.

Sitt stated there are not enough means to support the amount of copies necessary for the department, and even if the money was provided, the machines are not in capacity to handle large quantities of copies.

Sitt also stated that it is important to do as much as possible digitally, and find ways to save money, but the idea of having no copy service to administer exams will be difficult.

"If the copy service closes, what happens to our ability to even produce the materials that the department requires?" he questioned.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs James McCarthy stated that the decision would cause some disruption, especially for the larger academic departments in the college.

"This is one example of the ways in which we all have to rethink the way we work at Baruch, and to ensure that we continue to provide students and faculty with the greatest amount of support," said McCarthy. "At the same time we do need to carefully look for ways to stretch every dollar."

According to Eszterhas, the college will save $100,000 with the closing of the copy services.

According to Warren Gordon, chair of the mathematics department, many of the chairs of departments have serious concerns about the educational ramifications of this action, and need to discuss it in much greater detail.

If the college does approve the closing of the copy room, Ezterhas stated that three large networking printers and copiers would go into the departments that need the services.

Eszterhas will meet with faculty and business managers at the college next week to make a final decision.