Cal Poly Teams with Ricoh in Graphics Communication Program

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 09/28/09

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo has added Ricoh technology to its Graphic Communication Department, which educates students in imaging sciences. Ricoh has donated a Pro C900S digital color production printing system to the university, including training and ongoing service by Ricoh's Ikon Office Solutions division.

"We're excited to enter into a partnership with Ricoh as the combined expertise of [Ricoh] and Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department will help shape the future of the commercial printing industry," said Harvey Levenson, head of the Graphic Communication department. "Ricoh's leading technology offerings will provide our students and industry professionals with experiential-learning that will allow them to gain practical knowledge of the industry's latest innovations."

In addition, Ricoh will work with Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Institute, which focuses on research, laboratory testing, product evaluations, consulting, training and development, seminars, workshops, and conferences. In addition, Ricoh and IKON will serve as partners in Cal Poly's intern program, guest lecturer opportunities, and equipment benchmarking tests. The Ricoh system will also be used in Cal Poly's experiential laboratory, a student-run printing and publishing company, University Graphic Systems (UGS).

The color printing system donated by Ricoh has a 90-page-per-minute print engine; can print documents up to 13" x 19.2"; and provides the ability to integrate documents into workflows or distribute documents throughout the organization with scan-to destinations.

"One of the first things we want to accomplish is the creation of a commercial printing advisory board, to expose the participants to thought leadership from Cal Poly and Ricoh," said Carl Joachim, vice president of marketing at Richoh. "Our idea is that for a select number of commercial printers, there will be tremendous benefit to all parties involved in working together."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

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