Printing at SMG Computer Labs
The Computer Labs (rooms 316/328/340) in the SMG building, are equipped with seven laser printers for the printing needs of students and staff. SMG students use five "free quota" printers, two of which can print double-sided pages automatically (the Kyocera units in room 328). Non-SMG students can use pay printers. Color printing is also available to all users.
Free Quota Printing Overview
"Free quota" is a term given to the privilege to print freely in any of the computer labs at SMG. See the following section for eligibility. All Boston University students are also given a separate free quota account at OIT's computer labs (111 Cummington Street), inquiries about which should be directed to that lab. Free quota is not "free" in monetary terms; students have been given an initial account balance by virtue of their enrollment, but replenishment to the SMG free quota may only be extended through the addition of funds by the student. Further details can be found in the following sections.
Eligibility for Free Quota at SMG
Fully registered SMG and GSM students are given a $100.00 (1000 pages) free quota allotment at the start of each fall semester for use through the summer months. The full amount is credited to the student account at the beginning of the fall semester, and does not replenish for the spring semester. SMG minors do not receive free quota privileges.
Students can verify current school affiliation by conducting a BU directory search. Only those students enrolled in a program other than SMG or GSM will receive free quota. Regardless of the individual scenario, it is this status code, assigned by the registrar, that determines whether our system will allow free quota to a given student. Students who feel their affiliation is incorrect, or outdated, should contact the registrar directly.
Monitoring and Replenishing Free Quota
Students can monitor their free quota balance throughout the year by logging into a workstation in any of the SMG computer labs (rooms 316, 328, or 340), and double-clicking a desktop icon called Free Quota Balance, which counts backwards from $100, ten cents per page printed. When the balance reaches, or exceeds $0.00, subsequent requests for printout will print a page declaring "account has insufficient funds."
Free quota can be refilled at a rate of ten cents per page, usually in increments of $10.00, payable in cash or Terrier Card convenience points to members of the lab staff. Payment must be received before the account will be updated.
Free quota balances are reset for the fall semester, and there is no roll-over, or refunding of excess quota from the past academic year. Students should bear this in mind when choosing the value with which they wish to replenish their accounts. See one of the lab’s staff members to pay for additional quota.
Pay Printing
Students with depleted free quota accounts, and all non-free quota users may print to the "SMGPay" printer, at a rate of $.10 cents per black and white page or "Color," paying $1.00 per color page. The labs accept cash and Terrier Card convenience points.
Students without SMG free quota privileges are reminded that all Boston University students have a free print quota account for use in OIT's computer labs (111 Cummington Street). Print jobs cannot be sent between SMG and OIT labs.
Faculty and Staff are not given quotas, but can have their printing paid for with a departmental transfer of funds form. Contact labs@managment.bu.edu for more details.