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University to Close Duke Publications Group

23 jobs will be eliminated in the move

On April 14, Duke announced that it would discontinue operation of its internal printing and bulkmail services through Duke Publications Group (DPG) as of May 13, 2005.

DPG is a support area that has provided printing and bulk mail services only for the Duke community. As the printing and mailing businesses have evolved and local competition has increased, the unit has not been able to compete effectively with external suppliers. During the last several years, DPG has failed to recover operating costs totaling approximately $2 million in budget shortfalls, which has required the university to redirect resources from other core operations that support Duke's mission of education, research and patient care.

This decision comes after an extensive 18-month period of oversight, communication with customers and external review by representatives of research universities with comparable print and mail operations. The evaluation process identified factors affecting DPG's ability to operate effectively, which included the combination of a competitive local market for DPG-type services, increased financial pressures, and changing service needs of the institution.

A total of 23 positions in the DPG will be eliminated as a result of the decision. Employees whose positions are eliminated are being given 90 days notice before their positions are eliminated to allow them time to work with Human Resources to secure another job at Duke.

Every employee eligible for redeployment will be assigned a transition coordinator in Human Resources who will work with them individually to seek other opportunities at Duke. Human Resources will also work with eligible staff as needed to update resumes, assess job skills, provide assistance in preparing for job interviews and identify job search resources.

Alternative print and bulk mail options are being made available during a transition period, and a team of customer service representatives and a designer are being retained until the end of December to help customers with the transition.

OIT is working with Procurement and Supply Chain Management to develop a new model for managing print and bulk mail services at Duke. Details will become available within the next 60 days.