When the university's Business Processes Improvement Committee was making its list of initiatives for the new year, reducing the cost of commonly used office supplies was right at the top.

By signing a Select Vendor agreement with Office Depot, which will provide these supplies to all Hopkins-affiliated entities at significantly reduced prices, the university and health system expect to save more than $475,000 a year.

In addition, the arrangement provides for Internet ordering with next-day "desktop" delivery and simplified billing procedures.

Full implementation of the new purchasing program will roll out on Jan. 17 and 18 with the JHU Office Depot Vendor Show. On these two days, all employees who order office supplies and computer-related accessories will have the opportunity to talk with a number of the megastore's vendors, pick up 2001 catalogs, see a demonstration of the Internet ordering system, fill out Office Depot account information sheets and receive information on JHU Procurement Cards.

"We really want to make this partnership successful," says Paul Beyer, director of the university's Office of Purchasing.

The event has been scheduled for two venues: at Homewood on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Levering's Glass Pavilion, and in East Baltimore on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Anna Baetjer Room, W1030 Hygiene.

Many vendors will offer samples as well as product information. Refreshments will be served. Those unable to attend either event can log on to Purchasing's Web site at http://www.jhu.edu/~purchasing.

or call Darlene Foehrkolb or Paulette Spann at 410-516-8383 for more information. More details on the Office Depot arrangement are available on The Gazette Web site at http://www.jhu.edu/~gazette/2000/oct1600/16agree.html.