Thursday, November 21, 1996
ASUCLA:
Pulse Copy to take over copy centers to improve student
serviceBy Frances Lee
Daily Bruin Contributor
In keeping with their mission to remain an organization which
serves students, the Associated Students of UCLA (ASUCLA)
transferred their largely student-run Graphic Services to a
privately-owned copying company in July, recognizing that the
association cannot be all things to all people.
"Running (Graphic Services) was difficult for us because it
wasn’t (our area) of expertise," explained Terence Hsiao, director
of business development for the association. "We compromised our
ability to do a top-notch job."
Transferring the service to Pulse Copy and Technology Centers, a
company which specializes in copy centers on college campuses, made
better sense than keeping the association-run service, Hsiao
continued, both financially and in terms of service.
"(Graphic Services) wasn’t a profitable venture (for ASUCLA),"
said Executive Director Patricia Eastman. By having Pulse take
over, "we’re able to continue this service on campus."
Open since mid-October at Lu Valle Commons, the Pulse has
several advantages over the former association-run Graphic
Services, with the ultimate goal of the now-private organization
being to provide better service to students, Hsiao said.
"(Pulse) has the management expertise; (running copy centers) is
all they do. They’re not distracted by having to sell a taco while
it’s still warm.
"(ASUCLA) has a lot of different focuses," he continued, such as
managing food services, merchandising Bearwear and keeping the
organization financially viable.
"We didn’t feel we had the ability to (continue Graphic
Services) without compromising service," Hsiao said.
Transferring the service to Pulse will help the students
association financially as well, by providing income from the copy
center’s lease. But, Hsiao stressed, service to students is the
company’s first priority, which is why the association chose to go
with Pulse rather than continue it themselves.
The privatization of Graphic Services raised some concerns last
year as to the association’s role on campus. ASUCLA has maintained
that it is trying to maintain a balance between providing service
to students while stabilizing their finances.
"Pulse is designed for college campuses," said Pamela Swenson, a
marketing representative for Pulse, and emphasized that their
services were tailored for and by students. To that effect, Pulse
is also committed to hiring student employees while bringing in
higher level, professional management skills  similar to the
management structure of the association-run organization.
"There’s been no change so far as to what we do," said Steve
Lewis, a fourth-year political science student and an employee who
has worked for the ASUCLA Graphic Service and Pulse. "But the
environment has changed. We’ve gotta conform to that corporate
scene."
Nevertheless, Pulse is committed to "integrate and become a
partner with the campus," according to Swenson.
"Our ultimate goal is to service the (university) community,"
added Margo Campillo, general manager of the UCLA Pulse Copy
Center, "and make it affordable."
And it is a service that many students seem to take advantage
of. Although the Pulse Copy Center on the A-level of Ackerman Union
will not be ready until the end of the week, students have been
utilizing the services offered by the Pulse in Lu Valle Commons
throughout the quarter.
"I’m in here weekly, copying notes that I trade with my
friends," said Molly Peng, a fourth-year business student. "The
prices are good."
Laura Dao, the student manager of the Pulse in Lu Valle, said
that business has been fairly brisk throughout the quarter. "Most
of our customers are faculty, staff and students (at UCLA)," said
Dao.
"It’s a one-stop shopping service" for students with competitive
prices to off-campus centers, Campillo said, adding that the Pulse
provides copy services, computer rentals and Federal Express
service.
Pulse Copy Centers have services on six universities in
California, ranging from Stanford University to UC San Diego.
With reports from Hannah Miller, Daily Bruin Contributor.