University to Discontinue Printing Phone Directory
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – To become more sustainable, the University of Arkansas will no longer publish a paper campus telephone directory. Contact information for individuals and units on campus will continue to be available online through the University Directory and the university’s A-Z Index.
Ken Leverington, manager of the university’s phone system, said the decision to end publication of a print edition made sense both to reduce waste and to reflect the shift in the way that people seek phone numbers.
“So many people look for contact information online, either through their computers or on mobile devices. We believe the large amount of paper being used for the printed edition has outlived its usefulness,” Leverington said. “In the spirit of sustainability, we made the decision to discontinue the printed edition. Over five years, we estimate we will eliminate the use of 28 tons of paper.”
Financially, the cost of the publication was nominal for the university, which contracted the production to a private company that covered its printing costs by selling advertising in the directory.
Most students, staff and faculty at the university are listed in the online University Directory, although individuals have the ability to limit the personal information that appears in the directory. Academic departments, research centers and administrative units can be found in the A-Z Index. People who don’t have online access can call the university’s information number, 479-575-2000, for directory assistance.
Contacts
Ken Leverington, manager, phone services
Business Office
479-575-2000,
kenl@uark.edu
Charlie Alison, executive editor
University Relations
479-575-6731,
calison@uark.edu