Carbon Copy upheaval: Staff let go and printing services cut
Front Page September 13, 2019, Comments OffOn Sept. 3, it was announced via email that the print, copy and production services of Carbon Copy would be permanently suspended. The email stated that the use of Carbon Copy’s print services had declined in recent years and that the service was no longer turning a profit. The Mirror reached out to administration, teachers and students to fully understand what effects the loss of Carbon Copy will have on campus.
Administration
The Mirror spoke to Chelsey Dollarhide, Drury’s Executive Vice President of Administration and CFO, about the closure. She was the one who sent out the first notice and the main administrator we spoke to.
Dollarhide explained that the administration had looked carefully at Carbon Copy’s effectiveness, financial situation and the business realities behind the closure. She stated that, “The demand for printing and copying services has diminished as we’ve become a more digital world. This tracks with trends seen in the business world as well. As a result, our in-house printing operation has been unprofitable for several years… It was a difficult decision given that people and jobs were affected, but it was carefully considered.”
Dollarhide stated that Carbon Copy’s official closing date was Aug. 30. However, some of the student workers and other employees were not informed that their workplace was gone until Sept 3.
Dollarhide wrote: “The student workers all were notified by Human Resources as quickly as we were able to reach them that day, and a notice was sent to campus at midday after the employees and student workers had been informed.”
The largest effect of the Carbon Copy shutdown will be the color copy service. It was the easiest way for students – especially those trying to advertise their events – to get large colored posters. The administration pointed out that there are other copying services available to students on-campus, such as the library. They are also in contact with off-campus vendors and print companies to find a cheaper option than Carbon Copy.
Dollarhide also asked that students, “thoughtfully consider their printing needs before printing or copying. We are in an increasingly digital world in which hard-copy prints are becoming increasingly unnecessary. Added to that, the University strives at all times to do what we can to boost sustainability on campus.”
Drury’s administration wanted to make clear that the only part of Carbon Copy that will be closing is the print services. Carbon Copy’s mail services will not be affected by the closure. The only change is that mail is only available for pick-up between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Dollarhide stated, “With this transition, our office is actively exploring options to improve package delivery to our College Park residents so that wait times for receipt of those items are not extended. If students are having mail issues, we ask that they contact the Mailroom and/or Administrative Services right away.”
Teachers
The Mirror reached out to several professors in different departments to get their perspectives on the closure. We received responses from Rebecca Miller, Art History and Arts Administration Program Chair; Dr. Jo Van Arkel, Languages and Literature Program Chair; and Dr. Vickie Luttrell, Professor of Psychology Chair. Both the faculty and the administration confirmed that faculty were notified via email about the shutdown on Aug. 30.
Van Arkel on the other hand was quite startled the morning of Aug. 30. She found out that morning that Carbon Copy was closing. The shutdown will have a large effect on her Small Press Publishing class.
“We use the service to print small runs, prototypes and posters related to book projects and magazines,” said Van Arkel.
She also added that once the administration was aware of the issue with her class, they “have made every effort to meet the needs of the class in an alternative fashion and we should be able to complete our projects on time.”
Van Arkel also mentioned that several of her colleagues used Carbon Copy to make workbooks and that graduating students also used the place to print their capstone and honors projects. The best part about Carbon Copy was the on-campus service.
Luttrell also found out about the closure from her fellow faculty: “I was completely caught off guard by it. To my knowledge, there were no public discussions about the possibility of Carbon Copy closing.”
Luttrell also stated that while she tries hard to minimize her own use of print copies, she does use Carbon Copy’s print services to make workbooks for some of her classes. “I have counted on the staff at Carbon Copy to provide those copies every semester for many, many years. The quality of their work never disappointed me,” she said.
Students
As for student workers employed in Carbon Copy, the closure of this campus resource has been somewhat devastating and confusing.
Megan Merseal, who worked as a clerk in Carbon Copy, explained how the events unfolded on Friday, Aug. 30.
“I was told very little, just that it was a financial issue. Two of my managers were fired and escorted out. They told me I could go home and that the department had been closed. They only rehired three student workers, and there were seven of us,” explained Merseal.
Merseal was one of the lucky few who were rehired to continue assisting with mail services. However, Anna Perkins, another student worker, claims she was not even notified of the department closure on Friday.
“Human Resources never contacted me about my job. I thought that was very unprofessional. I never got a phone call or email. I only got notice from [other coworkers] and the note on the door,” said Perkins.
Mike Brothers, Executive Director of University Relations, clarified the issue. “HR reached out to all of the student workers who were affected by the Carbon Copy closure on that Friday, Aug. 30. They were not able to reach one of the students, but did attempt to reach them. HR has connected with that student since then,” said Brothers.
The campus-wide email stated that, “We will meet with the affected student workers on an individual basis to assist them with continued campus employment.” Since the closing of Carbon Copy, all seven of the students affected either have been or are in the process of being placed in other student worker roles around campus.
“From a business standpoint, I completely understand,” said Perkins. “But it seemed very disorganized, and there was seemingly no plan of action.”
“It was very inconvenient timing,” Merseal chimed in. “Especially being the beginning of the year when textbooks are coming in, and some teachers have workbooks that need to be bound. When I asked why this happened now, I was just told that ‘financial issues don’t always come at an opportune time.’”
However, the Drury Staff Policy Handbook states that, “Regular staff members terminated because of the lack of funds or abolishment of a position, will be given written notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than one month.”
Neither student worker believes that anyone in the department was given more than 24 hours advance notice. Both are upset at the way in which their managers were terminated.
“It is so disrespectful to work at a company for as long as they did and have to be escorted out of your job,” said Perkins.
Director of Human Resources, Marilyn Harris, offered her view of what happened in regards to the dismissal of two employees.
“We followed normal practice of having a security officer present as employees gather personal belonging. At no time was anyone ‘escorted’ off of campus. In fact, both employees who were released as part of this decision have been on campus since that time. It was a difficult decision to close Carbon Copy and it was made even more difficult when it affected two staff members. They are certainly welcome on campus,” explained Harris
When asked about how they thought the changes at Carbon Copy would affect the students, both student workers agreed that the shortened hours would be the most inconvenient.
“I think the hardest part about the changes will be the new hours. For the students who live in College Park or faculty who need to pick up packages, it will be very hard to get in there before noon, with busy class and teaching schedules.” Merseal continued, “Students will also be unable to get last-minute color copies on campus and will have to stay on top of things.”
Students and faculty will definitely feel this loss for some time until an off-campus color-printing resource can be identified.
*Information has been edited for clarity as of 9/23/19
Article written by Afton Jagels and Delilah Gadd
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