The Interfolio Blog

In this very limited economy, it is important for schools to consider ways they can adapt to the challenges that limited budgets are creating. An article published this week by UniversityBusiness explored ways in which institutions can assess the shift from print to online publications, arguing that as budgets are reevaluated for 2010, shifting away from paper could be an important way to save. The article spoke at length about a recent survey called, “The State of Print and Electronic Publications in Higher Ed, 2009" which found interesting results regarding the shift to online publications. 

Here are some highlights:

• 82% of survey respondents said that their institutions were relying more on electronic publications (Web, blog, email, PDF, RSS, etc) to reduce the budget of printing.
• The main publication types shifting online are: Newsletter (43% vs 29% in 2007), Press Kits (21% vs 10%), Financial Aid Handbook (19% vs 8%) and Student Handbook (25% vs 18%).
• 40% of respondents across all publications types have started moving towards replacing print with electronic publications.

Aside from statistics, the article itself provides interesting advice regarding how to think about the shift online and what it could mean to your institution. This chart helps break it down. By shifting to online publications, look at the average savings different departments made in just one year!

As individuals and as professionals, we are growing more accustomed to new technologies and digital media, and spending significant amounts of time in front of a computer screen.  This begs the question whether printing anything on paper still makes sense at all. The internet will allow you to reach a larger audience, have more information available, and even save money.  In addition, as sustainability efforts target the wasteful use of natural resources, online seems to be the way to go.

We think it's great that the shift online is being considered more and more in different segments of higher ed, and wonder how many other new ways academics have found to save resources and money by moving content online.