2008 Woodie Awards
Paper bills to be eliminated
Future plans save $50,000 for UNC next fall
Forrest Bowlick
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The University of Northern Colorado is planning to save paper and save money by switching to an all online billing format beginning next fall semester.
The transition began this fall, with more information regarding students' bills on URSA, and it will continue until next spring and summer semesters. Once finalized, paper billing will be a thing of the past.
"(The University) spent $50,000 on postage a year," said Rico Wint, president of the Student Representative Council. "Basically what they're going to do is launch it in the spring and summer, and bring it in that way. In the fall, for sure, they're going to e-bills. They have to find a better way to spend the money."
So far, some student reaction regarding the move to online bills is positive.
"I just throw my paper bills away anyway," said Erica Arcibal, a sophomore biology major.
The complete removal of paper billing, while good for the environment and the university's pocketbook, might cause logistical problems for parents who need an update on the bill for students' education. Through URSA, however, parents will remain informed.
"Parents will have access through a new account and password to look at the bills online, right on URSA," Wint said. "They won't be able to see other personal information, like grades, just the bills."
There are some who say there needs to be some compromise between any single faceted system, be it online or in print.
"People should have the option for either paper or electronic, like most banks do," said Jakob Essig, a sophomore business major.
There are other concerns for certain students as well.
"I wonder what people without Internet access will do," said Arcibal.
The move to an online billing system is not unprecedented in Colorado; though the University of Colorado at Boulder still uses some paper supplements in addition to an extensive online system.
The move to online billing systems is becoming more prevalent in all areas of commerce. Students who create accounts at the Wells Fargo in the University Center are asked if they want only online statements, and the general move is away from the paper mailing.
"It'll be good for the environment," Essig said.
Students who wish to express concerns about the move to an online only system can do so at SRC meetings, which are held at 5:30p.m. on Wednesdays in the UC Council Room.
The transition began this fall, with more information regarding students' bills on URSA, and it will continue until next spring and summer semesters. Once finalized, paper billing will be a thing of the past.
"(The University) spent $50,000 on postage a year," said Rico Wint, president of the Student Representative Council. "Basically what they're going to do is launch it in the spring and summer, and bring it in that way. In the fall, for sure, they're going to e-bills. They have to find a better way to spend the money."
So far, some student reaction regarding the move to online bills is positive.
"I just throw my paper bills away anyway," said Erica Arcibal, a sophomore biology major.
The complete removal of paper billing, while good for the environment and the university's pocketbook, might cause logistical problems for parents who need an update on the bill for students' education. Through URSA, however, parents will remain informed.
"Parents will have access through a new account and password to look at the bills online, right on URSA," Wint said. "They won't be able to see other personal information, like grades, just the bills."
There are some who say there needs to be some compromise between any single faceted system, be it online or in print.
"People should have the option for either paper or electronic, like most banks do," said Jakob Essig, a sophomore business major.
There are other concerns for certain students as well.
"I wonder what people without Internet access will do," said Arcibal.
The move to an online billing system is not unprecedented in Colorado; though the University of Colorado at Boulder still uses some paper supplements in addition to an extensive online system.
The move to online billing systems is becoming more prevalent in all areas of commerce. Students who create accounts at the Wells Fargo in the University Center are asked if they want only online statements, and the general move is away from the paper mailing.
"It'll be good for the environment," Essig said.
Students who wish to express concerns about the move to an online only system can do so at SRC meetings, which are held at 5:30p.m. on Wednesdays in the UC Council Room.
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