The University of Missouri will phase out printing services, citing declining revenues

Citing declining revenues, the University of Missouri is phasing out printing services over the next 12 months.

Printing services prints brochures, business cards or other departmental or university literature, but after the phase out, those jobs will be contracted.

The decision was made after a months-long review of operations, financial health and staffing. Revenue has declined by nearly 50% over 10 years.

There more demand for information in digital form than in print, said MU spokesman Christian Basi.

Operating costs including the cost of goods, are expected to increase in the future.

A similar review found University Stores in good financial shape, Basi said.

It has saved students more than $48 million since 2014 by providing alternatives including open education resources, Basi said.

"It also has managed to be financially independent," Basi said of University Stores.

The university of engaging human resources to find other placements for the around two dozen employees in printing services, Basi said.

Some may take retirement, some may find other jobs on campus, or human resources will assist workers in finding off-campus jobs.

"Human resources will provide the support necessary," Basi said. 'What we have going for us is the length of the phase out."

In the past five years, printing services has lost nine full-time staff and there is difficulty filling open positions, according to a news release.

Printing services also has several pieces of equipment needing costly repair or replacement, the news release states.

It's a mix among universities of those who operate retail stores on campus and those who bring in outside stores, Basi said.

University Stores includes The Mizzou Store, Tiger Team Store, Missouri S&T Store, UMKC and UMKC Health Science bookstores, and UMSL Triton Store. These units typically sell textbooks, supplies and university merchandise.

University Stores is a good deal for everyone, said Sarah Chinniah, vice chancellor for business operations and strategic initiatives, in a news release.

“University Stores has served as a model for its peers across the nation while saving our students millions,” Chinniah said. “I’m excited about what the future holds as we seek to standardize our agreements with partners across the UM System and continue to look for ways to offer the best products and services at affordable prices.”

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on Twitter at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: HR will seek other placements for MU printing services employees