A malfunction of Kansas University’s printing press is causing a delay in distributing diplomas to spring graduates.

University Registrar Cindy Derritt said a part of the printing press broke in July, shortly after diplomas began printing at KU’s Medical School campus in Kansas City, Kan.

She said a replacement part is expected to arrive today.

Distribution of diplomas is about two weeks behind; KU’s commencement Web site advises graduates that diplomas should be ready to pick up about two months after graduation. This year’s graduation ceremony was May 18.

Some new alumni are concerned that the university has not informed them of the delay.

“It’s just been frustrating, and I understand that the printer’s broken, and that’s fine, but I just wish that they’d gone through and told people,” said Damon Smith, who received bachelor’s degrees in geography and history.

He said he has tried to pick up his diploma from Strong Hall, where the registrar’s office is located, several times since he graduated.

Smith said he heard the diplomas could be ready by December. But Derritt said that is an exaggeration and that the diplomas would be distributed as soon as possible.

“If something doesn’t happen tomorrow, we’ll probably send (an e-mail) out,” she said Monday.

The university charges a $10 fee to mail diplomas to graduates who do not pick them up. Derritt said that fee could be waived on a case-by-case basis.