University Park

Penn State signs new Office Pro agreement with Microsoft

On July 1, an agreement recently signed by Penn State and Microsoft will go into effect that enables faculty and staff to be licensed to use the Microsoft Office Pro software suite. Designed to cover both office and work-at-home use of the software, the new contract will additionally provide Office Pro licensing for each of the computers in student labs located throughout the University. The combined package is expected to result in a savings of approximately $2 million over the lifetime of the agreement.

"The new Office Pro contract enables Penn State's Administrative Areas to pay a small annual fee per FTE for the license coverage, so departments will no longer need to order software individually," explained Jeff Kuhns, senior director at Information Technology Services (ITS). "Part-time faculty and staff are included under the agreement," he said.

In addition, University Administrative Areas will have the option to acquire reduced-price licensing for the Windows Operating System Upgrade as well as Core CALs (individual licenses that grant access to certain Microsoft server software) through the new contract.

According to Janda Hankinson, director of ITS Entrepreneurial Services, although undergraduate and graduate students will not be covered by the agreement, they will continue to be able to purchase the above- mentioned products at the Computer Store at significantly reduced Penn State prices.

Hankinson stated that the new Office Pro licensing agreement will cover work-at-home use for Penn State employees who own their computers or who have computers on loan from the University.

"However, it's important to note that any new or upgraded work-at-home software installations after July 1 will require the purchase of new Office Pro media," she added.

For individuals who need to acquire media for use with Work at Home Rights, Microsoft Office Pro media will be available for $10 each through the Computer Store and will be limited to one copy per person.

To learn more about Work at Home Rights and other details related to the Microsoft Campus Agreement, go to the Computer Store FAQ page at http://computerstore.psu.edu/microsoft.htm Faculty and staff with specific questions about the terms of the agreement are encouraged to contact the Computer Store at (8140 865-2100.

Last Updated March 19, 2009