An expensive software package that would otherwise cost hundreds of dollars will be available in the next few weeks to Ball State students for $5.
Microsoft and Ball State have worked together on a contract in order to make Microsoft Office and its updates available to students for what they consider to be a low cost.
Programs included in the package are Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Access. The $5 Microsoft CD will be available at the Ball State Bookstore.
"We believe this will give Ball State a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining students, as the software tools they most often need, and usually buy on their own, will now be available to them," H. O'Neal Smitherman, vice president for information technology said.
These applications can work on either PC or MAC computers. Update discs for the same programs are an additional $5.
Smitherman said this is something Ball State has been considering for some time now, and Ball State made the deal with microsoft to ensure students have the most updated software.
The downfall is the software will only be available through the Ball State Bookstore. TIS and CBX bookstores will not carry the CDs because neither store is directly linked to the university.
The CDs will not be in for two to three weeks, according to the Ball State Bookstore.
The program is expected to cost the university around $350,000 per year, with the money being raised from a student technology fund added to current tuition costs.
"We did make arrangements with Microsoft that if you leave the university, you can carry the software, whatever version you have on your machine," Smitherman said.
Unfortunately for faculty and staff, they have to give up rights to their software because it's used for occupation only.
"Because Microsoft is the dominant force in computer software, our students will have access to the best and latest technology used in the professional world," he said.
The software will also be available to faculty and staff members but will be taken out of a separate fund than student licensing.
Faculty and staff don't have to pay for the software program because Microsoft does not have any requirements for them to do so, Smitherman said.
"Classroom instructors also must keep up with the changes in technology to help students learn," Smitherman said. "This is a simple arrangement that allows for the entire university to acquire software products as opposed to individuals, departments or schools having to pay separately."
Students had mixed feelings about whether or not a deal like this would be useful.
"My computer didn't come with that stuff, so it'd be a lot better," freshman Justin Wentzel said.
Sophomore Jacob Judy felt differently because he doesn't use many Office software programs except for Microsoft Word.
"I wouldn't see much of a use for it," he said. "I don't use a lot of that stuff. If you have Microsoft Word, you're good. It may be useful for accounting majors."
"I think it's good for college purposes," said freshman Melissa Porch. "We need it."
Students will receive e-mail notification as soon as the Microsoft discs are in.
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