The alumni gym at St. Edward’s University is serving as a graveyard for some now archaic public copy machines.

The copiers were removed from public use after Auxiliary Services decided that the machines would not be economically efficient.

With the exception of the copier in the library, the copiers located on the second floor of Ragsdale, the Moody Hall atrium and the Professional Education Center student lounge were removed from St. Edward’s and are not going to be replaced. 

“After reviewing the usage of the machines relative to the expense of replacing them, it was determined that it was not cost effective to replace the existing copier,” Director of Auxiliary Services Mike Stone said. 

As the copier lease was set to expire, Auxiliary Services determined that the revenue made did not cover the $167 monthly fee, plus an additional per copy charge for maintenance expenses.

“There are several reasons for the declining use of copiers, but one of the most obvious is the ease of printing and scanning in campus computer labs,” Stone said.

Since July 1, the copier in Moody had been used 406 times while the copier in Ragsdale had been used 152 times. The Moody copier generated $128 in charges, and the Ragsdale copier generated $18 in charges.  

Copy Center manager Pam McGrew has not noticed a substantial influx in student requests since the removal of the public machines.

“I haven’t noticed a large increase, but I have noticed a few more students,” McGrew said.

Some students are not pleased with the removal of the copiers. For now only two options are available to make copies without having to scan the material through a computer scanner.

“I’m very disappointed, and I feel it limits students’ ability to take care of their needs,” senior biology major Carlos Mendoza said.

Mendoza, who said he uses the copier at least once a week, is upset about the fact that he has to walk farther to make copies.

“It makes the students walk longer to make copies, as where it was very convenient before,” Mendoza said.