Winter 2009
Into Print aims to educate, inform, and entertain its readers, with a goal of fostering positive communication between its participating departments, their staffs, and their clients.
In this issue
Mail updates on web if weather delays expected
Order 2009 catalogs now
QuestDex directories available
Printing Services still taking calendar orders
General news
Business Services departments practice, encourage sustainability
Some brightly colored papers not recyclable
P&T earns top grade in sustainability report
Paper changes at Stores include more recycled paper
Paper stock numbers
Staff donate food to Crisis Center
Into Print begins 20th year
General Stores
PeopleSoft Inventory to replace SIMS, SIGS, MIGS systems
Corrected section of herd books in stock
Laundry Service
Ergonomics moving into laundry industry
Mailing Services
Postal Service increases shipping prices
Mail manager Kathy Battin increases outreach
Reminder: bulk mailers must update mailing lists
DHL discontinues service within U.S.
Character Counts: Meet Alex Pop
Parking and Transportation
Cambus runs free shuttle for men's basketball games
P&T Van Pool Program celebrates 30th anniversary
Printing Services
Walk-ins welcome at digital color press
Surplus
Steve Stange named Surplus manager
Surplus finds eBay a great outlet for UI equipment
We like feedback: Story ideas; Address corrections, additions; e-mail
We are . . .
Directories
The University of Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement
NEWS BRIEFS
Mail updates on web if weather delays expected
Winter storms may force us to adjust the Campus Mail delivery schedule, with possible delays as a result. Check this website for information and updates during inclement weather.
Order 2009 catalogs now
The 2009 General Stores/OfficeMax catalogs are now available. UIHC customers may pick them up and recycle old ones at the hospital shipping and receiving facility. Those in other locations should email their name, department, campus delivery address, and the number of catalogs needed to
genstores@uiowa.edu. Please begin using the new catalogs immediately. Some catalog numbers and primary vendors have changed, so it is important to have a new catalog. Contact gary-anderson@uiowa.edu if you have questions or comments, or if you would like to be added to the General Stores listserv.
QuestDex directories available
QuestDex directories are in stock at General Stores. Hospital employees should order them at
www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/FS/Index.htm. Click on Requests under Quick Links. Open Hospital Moving Request, fill out the form, and submit it. Those in the College of Medicine should contact Robert Bontrager at robert-bontrager@uiowa.edu. All other departments should fax an order to General Stores at 384-3918. Please use a Stores or a University requisition and be sure to provide the delivery address and quantity. There is no stock number and no charge for the directories.
Printing Services still taking calendar orders
Printing Services still has 2009 calendars left. They are available in all three sizes - 20 x 28, 4-1/4 x 11, and 14 x 1-1/4 inches. Order them online at
www.uiowa.edu/printmail. There is no charge for them.
TYPESTRIKES
from our typo treasure chest
fellowhip
GENERAL NEWS
Business Services departments practice, encourage sustainability
Sustainability is frequently defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own economic, social, and environmental needs.
The Business Services departments consider sustainability an important responsibility. A year ago, in the Winter 2008 issue of Into Print, we reported on our efforts regarding paper, fuel, water, equipment, and waste. All those practices continue - and we keep building on them. Here are some updates.
Some brightly colored papers not recyclable
Some of the very bright neon-colored, fluorescent, and heavily dyed papers that are popular do not recycle well, as they can create contamination issues in the recycle stream. Several institutions across the country have designated such papers as nonrecyclable. The Copy Centers and OfficeMax, as well as General Stores, stock many papers that are and can be recycled. We suggest you consider these alternatives to support the University's sustainability goals.
The issue came to our attention after an article about it appeared in Talk, the UI Center for Teaching newsletter. The article reported that "the Iowa Department of Natural Resources considers neon paper to be a contaminant" and that City Carton "does not recycle neon paper because the dyes are bad for the environment and also makes recycling paper very difficult for the mills."
Parking and Transportation again earns top grade in college sustainability report
The UI Parking and Transportation Department scored an "A" on the College Sustainability Report Card, for the second consecutive year. Additionally, the department was named a Transportation Leader this year. The report cited Cambus, which provides 3.7 million rides annually; the student and employee discount transit pass program; the use of hybrid-electric and electric vehicles; and the University's support of active bicycling on campus.
The University of Iowa received a cumulative grade of "B-", the same as last year. The categories assessed were administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency, investment priorities, and shareholder engagement. P&T received the only "A" for the University.
The report card assesses the colleges and universities with the 300 largest endowments in the United States and Canada, representing more than $380 billion in endowment assets, or more than 90 percent of all university endowments. Grinnell College and Iowa State University also were assessed. The report card is published by the Sustainable Endowments Institute, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization. The full report is available at www.greenreportcard.org.
Paper changes at Stores include more recycled paper
There is a new Board of Regents paper contract in place at General Stores. Our new paper is a national brand called Domtar. Domtar is the largest manufacturer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America, with nine mills in the United States and three in Canada. We have tested this paper in our own copy centers as well as at Iowa State University. It looks and runs great on our equipment. We are convinced that the only change you will notice is that the box is different, and, thanks to the Purchasing Department and our extensive bidding process, the price is lower.
The stock numbers have not changed. Although we stock both 30 percent recycled and virgin paper, we encourage you to order the recycled paper. This is an easy way to support the sustainability and green initiatives on campus. We have also added 50 percent and 100 percent recycled paper to our OfficeMax contract. The price is a bit higher and there is some difference in quality, but if you are interested, order a ream and give it a try. — Gary Anderson
Paper stock numbers
General Stores house stock
30% recycled — 58875
Virgin stock — 58920
OfficeMax recycled stock
100% recycled — P1054922
50% recycled — P1055011
Staff donate food to Crisis Center
Business Services employees collected and delivered 120 pounds of food in December to the Crisis Center Food Bank, which serves residents of Johnson County. Staff from Printing, Mailing, General Stores, Equipment Rental, and Surplus participated.
Into Print begins 20th year
This issue of
Into Print marks the beginning of its twentieth year. Our newsletter made its debut in January 1989. Skeptics said it wouldn't last....no one would be interested....it's never worked before. But when we invited all UI faculty and staff to sign on to our mailing list and more than three thousand responded, we knew we had something - and we are still here.
It began as a black-and-white, four-page Printing Department monthly newsletter and morphed over time from monthly to bimonthly to quarterly; from four to eight pages. It's been redesigned six times. We increased coverage to include, first, Mailing, then General Stores, Equipment Rental, and Surplus. Soon Laundry signed on. Then came Parking and Transportation.
Despite the fluidity in format and frequency, our content has remained focused and our mission still holds true: we aim to educate, inform, and entertain our readers, with a goal of fostering positive communication between our departments, staffs, and clients. Thanks, everyone, for reading our newsletter. You're what has kept it going.
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GENERAL STORES
PeopleSoft Inventory to replace SIMS, SIGS, MIGS systems
Exciting changes are beginning to happen at General Stores. We have started working with the Purchasing Department to implement two new procurement and ordering tools, eBuy and PeopleSoft Inventory. The eBuy project eventually will replace MIGS; PeopleSoft Inventory will replace SIGS. We have used our existing systems for up to 25 years, and they have served us well. But it is time for something new.
These systems will significantly change the way we track our inventory and the way our customers place orders. Our customers will see new screens and have new options not available with the old systems. Some stock numbers will change, processes will change, and terminologies will change. So be prepared, be patient, and be ready to get involved.
Some of our staff will be preoccupied with these implementations over the next several months. While we expect the integration of eBuy and PeopleSoft inventory to be relatively seamless, this, like any other project, contains unknown elements. I have every confidence that our staff and our customers will handle the implementation well.
I appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation as we embark on these projects. Please do not hesitate to ask me if you have questions. Additional information will be forthcoming as we proceed. Thank you for your support. — Gary Anderson
Corrected section of herd books in stock
The 2009 University Directory contained errors in the faculty and staff section. The corrected section is now available at no charge. Customers at UIHC may pick them up at the shipping and receiving facility and those in the College of Medicine at 1-107 MEB. All others should fax an order to 384-3918. Ask for the directory inserts and include your name, department, delivery address, and the quantity needed. New orders for directories ($3.60 each, stock number 10000) will include the directory and the insert. Contact Judy Williams with questions. —
Gary Anderson
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LAUNDRY SERVICE
Ergonomics moving into laundry industry
Increased interest by manufacturers in designing more ergonomic laundry production equipment indicates the science of ergonomics is starting to make a more positive impact in the industry.
In the past it has been hard for manufacturers to design equipment from a true ergonomics perspective due to competitive pricing in the marketplace and the resulting low profit margins. This restricted dollars for research and development. One could design a machine to support ergonomic concerns, but few customers would buy it because it cost more than other machines. However, other market realities now are pushing the industry to design equipment that considers ergonomics key.
Reasons for the renewed interest in ergonomics are the expenses associated with workers compensation claims; OSHA regulatory requirements; the physical realities of an aging work force; and an increase in unionization, which leads to pressure on management to improve the work environment, safety training, operations training, wages, and benefits. They all lead to increased operational costs which can quickly exceed the add-on cost for ergonomically designed equipment.
Consequently, manufacturers feel more pressure to design equipment that requires less physical labor to operate and reduces the risk of lifting, bending, and repetitive motion injuries. The industry, like all markets, is dollar driven. So, it's a matter of how the industry spends its dollars. Health care, environmental concerns, safety, and maintaining a quality work force are all factors encouraging manufacturers to redesign equipment and production systems. — Dave Gray
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MAILING SERVICES
Postal Service increases shipping prices
The U.S. Postal Service raised shipping prices on January 18 for express mail, priority mail, parcel select, parcel return service, and some international shipping products. Overall, shipping prices increased an average of 5 percent. The Postal Service says its move to January price changes for shipping services is consistent with industry standards.
New domestic shipping services will include a "Commercial Plus" pricing structure, with discounts for high-volume express and priority mail users. A smaller, priority mail, flat-rate box, priced the same as the flat-rate envelope, offers the convenience of flat-rate pricing for items that require sturdy packaging. For a list of rates go to www.usps.com/prices.
Mail manager Kathy Battin increases outreach
Mailing Services manager Kathy Battin is available to meet with departments to market the color presses and variable printing services offered by Printing and Mailing Services. Her focus is educating customers and sharing information about our capabilities. In the past five months, she has conducted informational meetings and classes on campus, at the hospital, and at the University of Northern Iowa. Nearly 240 customers have attended. Her goal is to talk to every customer on campus who is involved in mailing and printing. Kathy is available to speak with individuals and departments and is on campus daily. Contact her to learn more about mailing and printing. —
Sanda Pop
Reminder: bulk mailers must update mailing lists
The U.S. Postal Service now requires bulk mailers to update their mailing lists with an approved system every 95 days. All presorted or automated mailings must comply in order to receive postage discounts. Those who fail to do so will be charged the single-piece, First-Class rate - 42 cents or more, depending on the weight of the piece. UI Mailing Services has the software to process these mailings for you. Contact Kathy Battin if you have any questions. See the Fall 2008 issue of Into Print for more information.
DHL discontinues service within U.S.
The shipping company DHL no longer offers domestic service to the United States. Consequently, their couriers no longer pick up and deliver packages for UI departments, including Central Mail. The alternatives are UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service.
"It's still business as usual for Central Mail, only that from now on all packages will be processed through UPS. The only difference is for departments that have had their own DHL pick-up and delivery. Those departments should be aware of the change and use UPS or FedEx services instead," says Mailing Services employee Dave Larson. The Airborne Express service is under the DHL operation and also will no longer be available to UI departments. — Sanda Pop
Character Counts: Meet Alex Pop
"I've processed 300,000 names since the beginning of the year," says Mailing Services employee Alex Pop, who prepares addresses for bulk mail. The mailings range from envelopes and postcards to brochures and magazines, from 200 up to 40,000 pieces per mailing. He also prepares databases for variable data printing projects with Printing Services and helps with bulk mail tasks "on the floor" when he finishes with addresses. He's worked at Mailing Services for more than seven years, starting as a temporary employee delivering Campus Mail.
Alex moved to the U.S. from Romania in 2001. Since arriving he has worked full time continuously, bought a house, and gained U.S. citizenship. "I drive a BMW. I work hard and stay focused," he says. He has a degree in economics from the University of Babes Bolyai, in Romania. Someday he would like to earn an MBA.
Born in Romania, Alex grew up just a short drive from one of Count Dracula's castles in Transylvania, in the Carpathian Mountains. Of the existence of vampires, he says with a grin, "Of course - I am one of them!"
Iowa winters remind Alex of home and he likes that, particularly the chance to ski. His hometown was at the base of a mountain and he learned the sport at age three. Here, he travels to Galena and Dubuque, but would like to go to Colorado and New Mexico. Alex also enjoys bicycling and "rides everywhere I can," he says. "I like nature, getting out in it."
Another favorite is visiting the Wisconsin Dells. Also, Chicago, "because it's busier than Iowa. It reminds me of Europe - the traffic, the people."
He would like to travel more. His family, in Romania, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the U.S., give him good reasons for it. "Travel makes life more interesting," he says. "Working every day, I can't remember what I did in April 2008, but I can remember what I did in August 2006. I went to Europe!"
Alex says he doesn't miss Romania too much, but he does miss the busy life there. On the other hand, he says, "if you get too busy, life goes by too fast!"
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PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
Cambus runs free shuttle for men's basketball games
If you plan to attend a men's home basketball game, try using a Cambus shuttle to get there. The buses, sponsored by the Athletic Department, are available to the general public at no charge. Pregame shuttle service begins at the Hancher Auditorium and Hawkeye Commuter parking lots about one-and-one-half hours before game time, with limited service available during the games. Postgame shuttles operate for about a half hour after each game ends. For specific times, go to the
Cambus website. Call 335-8633 for more information.
P&T Van Pool Program celebrates 30th anniversary
The University of Iowa Employee Van Pool Program began its thirtieth year of operation in August. We attribute our success to our participants and our ability to provide low-cost, convenient transportation. In 1978, van pools across the nation were forming in response to the energy crisis. The University of Iowa was no exception, as the Parking & Transportation Department began the program with four vans - for 48 employees in Kalona, Lone Tree, West Branch, and Williamsburg. Those four groups are still operating today, and the program has grown to 85 vans with more than 880 riders. The vans serve 34 communities and a variety of work hours, including a 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. shift.
Vanpooling continues to help reduce energy consumption as well as traffic congestion and parking demand. In fiscal year 2008, the combined van pools traveled nearly 1.2 million miles and used nearly 90,000 gallons of fuel to transport UI employees daily to and from work. If all the participants had driven themselves instead, they would have traveled more than 7.8 million extra miles and used more than 312,000 extra gallons of fuel (at 25mpg). With gas prices hovering above $3 per gallon for most of fiscal 2008, the Van Pool Program saved its members, collectively, almost $1 million in fuel costs for the year.
We are very proud of the Van Pool Program and its members. Throughout the years, the program has provided an economical way for University employees to get to work. Our longevity would not have been possible without our drivers and members - without their dedication, willingness, and effort we would not be celebrating this anniversary. Thank you, to all of our drivers and members, for thirty great years! — Michelle Ribble
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PRINTING SERVICES
Walk-ins welcome at digital color press
Do you want to see for yourself what our digital color press can print for you? Stop by the Mossman Building to see the printing capabilities offered by the Digital Imaging Group. We print business cards, postcards, thank-you cards, brochures, posters, and more - in full color! You can observe the press in operation and look through samples of our printed material. The maximum finished size available with the digital color press is 11-1/2 x 17 inches. There is also the option to order special stock for a finished size of 11-3/4 x 17-1/4 inches.
To place an order, you'll need a requisition or an m-number.* Then you may order online at printing.uiowa.edu/webprint, or email printing-dig@uiowa.edu. Call Kim Burda, 384-3724, or John White, 384-3755, with questions. Come see us in action! — Sanda Pop
* Requisitions are available through your department. M-numbers are standing accounts, established by sending a requisition for one to the Printing and Mailing Services accounting office, 130 MBSB.
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SURPLUS
Steve Stange named Surplus manager
Business Services welcomes Steve Stange aboard as manager for University Surplus. Steve is a certified police officer and comes to us from UI Public Safety, where he worked as a lieutenant overseeing patrol duties for the past 20 years.
Steve is active in his home community, Solon, as a member of the City Council and the Volunteer Fire Department. He is married to UI grad Teresa Stange; they have two children. His experience in law enforcement, supervision, purchasing, training, retail sales, and construction give him unique qualifications for his new position at Surplus. He began working there on January 5.
Surplus finds eBay a great outlet for UI equipment
Retired Equipment Rental laptop computers are now being sold on eBay by University Surplus. If you are interested in buying one, check us out at stores.ebay.com/University-of-Iowa-Surplus. The listings change almost daily. And we don't just sell small items on eBay. In recent months we have listed a Dodge Grand Caravan Eclipse with handicap accessibility and a large Ford plow truck with a blade.
—
Gary Anderson
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WE LIKE FEEDBACK!
Story ideas
Are there topics we haven't covered that you would like to see in our newsletter? Do you have questions you would like us to address? Send an e-mail to the editor or a memo to
Into Print, 129 MBSB.
Address corrections and additions
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Into Print mailing list, fill out and send our
form. Use only University of Iowa campus addresses and @uiowa.edu e-mail suffixes.
E-mail us
Send questions and comments about departmental topics to:
Bionic Bus
Cambus information
Central Mail
Commuter Programs
Fleet Services
General Stores
Parking Facilities Operations
Parking Services
Copy Center #2, 100 Mossman Building
Copy Center #3, C102 Pappajohn Business Building
Copy Center #10, 180 Boyd Law Building
UPACS and Copyright Service
We are . . .
Business Services: Equipment Rental, General Stores, Laundry, Parking & Transportation, Printing and Mailing Services, and Surplus, serving The University of Iowa community. The print version of
Into Print is distributed free and on request to UI faculty, staff, and students.
Contributors to this issue
Gary Anderson/Business Services, General Stores, Surplus;
Kathy Battin, Mailing Services;
Dave Gray, Jo Anne Worley/Laundry;
Chris Kula, Sanda Pop/Printing and Mailing Services;
Michelle Ribble/Parking and Transportation.
Editor and web administrator: Jenean Arnold, phone 319-384-3723, 129 Mossman Building.
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