Kingston University pocketed more than £8,000 last year thanks to students who finished their courses with money left on their printer accounts.  

The average amount outstanding on students’ print accounts was £1.37 in 2008/09 but this amounted to a grand total of £8,290.00. KUSU have promised to take up the matter with Information Services.

 The university claimed that Information Services publicises the fact that refunds cannot be given but KUSU and many final year students have been left in the dark. Kayleigh Pickering, VP Student Support, “I must admit that neither myself nor my colleagues were aware that the University did not refund money to students which remains on their printing credit when they leave Kingston.”

 Clare Rixon, in her final year studying Media and Cultural Studies, agreed: “I don’t remember being told that. Kingston University tends to rip us off on library fines, so it doesn’t surprise me that they don’t refund print credit. That is bad.”

The university said the rationale behind the decision to keep unspent balances was because of the high administrative costs involved. A university spokesperson said: “I imagine the cost is mainly in terms of the resources it would take to administer a system to refund students for what are usually very small amounts. This is time that staff could be spending supporting students and dealing with inquiries.”

 Not all students are convinced by this argument. James o’Sullivan, MSc in Building Surveying, said: “Not refunding money because of inconvenience is no excuse and I’m sure any admin fees wouldn’t amount to £9,000.”

 Students who are in the final days of their course can use outstanding balances to pay off any library fines due. Learning Services uses any unspent print credit to buy library stock or on services for students.