Spring Break
Survey Addresses Software Needs
Diane Pauley
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: News
A pair of UConn study groups has released a survey to help address campus software needs.
The UConn Student Software Licensing Group, along with the Student Technology Advisory Group, issued the survey to collect data on software use and licensing options. The survey is open to the university community until Feb. 29 at studentsoftware.uconn.edu.
Both of the groups would like to see progress made to address campus software needs. The first step toward reaching this goal, they believe, is through student feedback.
The Student Software Licensing Group has been working for the past year "to collect information pertaining to the core software students use at the university as well as any potential cost savings realized when buying in bulk," according to a recent press release.
"The survey is the best avenue for all students to have a voice in the future technology decisions being made, which impact all students at all campuses." said Louise Gisleson, mobile computing support consultant for the UConn School of Business. The feedback that is received will ultimately help decide what should be done with student software.
Currently, students in the School of Business and the School of Education obtain a Microsoft license and have the complete Microsoft Office package. But the schools cannot sell these products to students who are not in either the School of Business or the School of Education because it conflicts with terms of the contract.
Gileson said if more students were able to receive that software, money will be saved in the long run.
"Buying computer software for anybody is expensive and many college students don't have the money to buy the software," said Chris Adams, a 2nd-semester physics major.
According to Co-op technology division manager Robert Hawley, Microsoft Office licenses are generally around $99 for students. However, he believes if the university is eventually able to serve all students, "the price will drop quite a bit."
"If UConn gives a discount when it comes to software, it would be much more convenient and help cost-wise," Adams said.
Hawley said the Co-op is more than willing to help with software distribution in the near future.
Contact Diane Pauley at
Diane.Pauley@UConn.edu
The UConn Student Software Licensing Group, along with the Student Technology Advisory Group, issued the survey to collect data on software use and licensing options. The survey is open to the university community until Feb. 29 at studentsoftware.uconn.edu.
Both of the groups would like to see progress made to address campus software needs. The first step toward reaching this goal, they believe, is through student feedback.
The Student Software Licensing Group has been working for the past year "to collect information pertaining to the core software students use at the university as well as any potential cost savings realized when buying in bulk," according to a recent press release.
"The survey is the best avenue for all students to have a voice in the future technology decisions being made, which impact all students at all campuses." said Louise Gisleson, mobile computing support consultant for the UConn School of Business. The feedback that is received will ultimately help decide what should be done with student software.
Currently, students in the School of Business and the School of Education obtain a Microsoft license and have the complete Microsoft Office package. But the schools cannot sell these products to students who are not in either the School of Business or the School of Education because it conflicts with terms of the contract.
Gileson said if more students were able to receive that software, money will be saved in the long run.
"Buying computer software for anybody is expensive and many college students don't have the money to buy the software," said Chris Adams, a 2nd-semester physics major.
According to Co-op technology division manager Robert Hawley, Microsoft Office licenses are generally around $99 for students. However, he believes if the university is eventually able to serve all students, "the price will drop quite a bit."
"If UConn gives a discount when it comes to software, it would be much more convenient and help cost-wise," Adams said.
Hawley said the Co-op is more than willing to help with software distribution in the near future.
Contact Diane Pauley at
Diane.Pauley@UConn.edu
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