UVa's Microsoft Contracts

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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If you have a question that this document does not address, please email tony@virginia.edu.

General Questions

Microsoft Office Questions

Windows Vista Questions

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Answers to General Questions

What is a "Campus Agreement"? What does it accomplish?

A Microsoft Campus Agreement is a subscription site licensing program specifically created to address the unique needs of higher educational institutions. It is a program that licenses certain Microsoft software for University machines based upon the institutional headcount rather than the individual machine count.

The Microsoft Campus Agreement at UVa licenses several of the most commonly-used Microsoft products for use by full- and part-time staff employed in Agency 207 (largely state-funded academic and administrative units). Office for Windows and Mac may also be installed on home computers or a second laptop under the work-at-home provision of the Campus Agreement.

What are the benefits of a Campus Agreement?
See Campus Agreement Benefits to Departments.
Who is covered by the Campus Agreement?
All full- and part-time UVa staff in Agency 207 (largely state-funded academic and administrative units).
What equipment is covered by the the Campus Agreement?
The Microsoft Campus Agreement covers all University-owned equipment in Agency 207 (largely state-funded academic and administrative units).
What software is covered by the Campus Agreement, and when will it be available?
See Campus Agreement Software Products. All products are available now except Office 2008 for the Mac (expected 2/1/08).
How do I obtain software under the Campus Agreement? How much does it cost?
See Obtaining Software Under the Campus Agreement.
What CD keys should be used to install the software?
These are different from UVa's Select license keys. Email tony@virginia.edu to get ones for the products you will be installing.
Can I use the Campus Agreement to install virtual machines?
See Campus Agreement Usage Information: Virtual Machines.
Can I use the software at home? Is there a version available for personal work (i.e. non-UVa) at home?

Yes, one copy of the "Work at Home" version of Office is available to faculty/staff for UVa-related work on a personal laptop or home computer. See Campus Agreement Usage Information: Home Use.

If you do not conduct University business at home, but would like software for personal use, Cavalier Computers sells discounted software to faculty and staff.

If I leave the University, can I keep my "Work at Home" copy of the software?
No, the "Work at Home" copy is for University work and must be removed from your computer when you leave the University.
When did this go into effect? What timeframe does the Campus Agreement cover?
The Agreement began December 1, 2007. The initial Agreement is for three years with optional one year extensions.
Are licenses perpetual (as they are under the Select Contract)?
No, they must be renewed annually. UVa will be centrally billed for this annual cost and will renew the licenses; departments need not budget directly for it nor renew the licenses themselves.
What happens if and when the Campus Agreement ends?
In the event that the Campus Agreement is renewed and the currently covered products remain in the updated agreement, your license to use the covered software and CALs (Client Access Licenses) will remain intact. If UVa decides not to renew the Campus Agreement, arrangements will need to be made to transition back to perpetual licenses. Also see How does the Campus Agreement differ from the Select Agreement?
Can I upgrade my current Windows server to the latest version of the server operating system?
There are no server products included under the agreement; the Campus Agreement covers desktop operating systems only. There are server-associated desktop CALs (Client Access Licenses) covered under the agreement, listed on Campus Agreement Software Products. Microsoft server products can still be purchased at discounted prices under another Microsoft agreement, the UVa Select Contract.
What about other Microsoft products not included under the Campus Agreement?
Other Microsoft products, i.e. Visio, Project, and server software, are still available for discounted purchase under the UVa Select Contract.
How do I take advantage of the Campus Agreement when ordering new equipment?
If you buy a DCI computer through Cavalier Computers from Dell or Apple, the license for the operating system and Office are included in the price, saving you the cost of an additional Office license (about $50).
How does the Campus Agreement differ from the Select Agreement?

Under the Campus Agreement, Microsoft leases the licenses for certain covered software products for all Agency 207 employees at the University. The Agreement is renewed annually. Should it end for any reason, the Office of Information Technology will work with Microsoft to obtain perpetual use rights for any software that was distributed under the Agreement.

The Microsoft Select Contract is available to all UVa faculty and staff (even those not in Agency 207), and provides significantly reduced prices for Microsoft products not included under the Campus Agreement. The licenses are perpetual, meaning the University owns the rights to the software. The University will always be able to use the software versions purchased under the Select Agreement, and departments can purchase upgrades to future versions as long as the Select Agreement remains in effect.

Can I get a refund for licenses I've already purchased that are now available through Campus Agreement?
No, those licenses were purchased under the Select Contract and are non-returnable. They are perpetual licenses and are still legal to use even if/after the Campus Agreement expires and is no longer in effect.
My department is not in Agency 207; how do I take advantage of the Microsoft Campus Agreement?
Contact Tony Townsend for costs and procedures.
 

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Answers to Questions about Microsoft Office

Which editions of Microsoft Office are available under the Campus Agreement?
  • Office 2003 Professional for Windows, Office 2007 Enterprise for Windows, and Office 2007 Professional Plus
  • Office 2004 Professional for the Mac and Office 2008 for the Mac (expected 2/1/2008)
Does Office 2007 have to be activated?
At this time, Office 2007 Enterprise Edition offered under the Campus Agreement does not currently require activating against Microsoft or UVa servers. It is possible that this will change as a part of a later release to more closely follow the Windows Vista activation model.

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Answers to Questions about Windows Vista

When will Vista be available to faculty and staff?
Vista is available now (for use on university-owned equipment under our Select Contract since March 1, 2007). Note that DCI computers are still shipping with Windows XP Professional, as Oracle has not certified Windows Vista for use with our ISDS applications.
When will Vista be available for "Work at Home"?
Operating system software, such as Microsoft Vista, is not available for work-at-home use. Only the Microsoft Office suite (all versions) may be installed for use at home.
Is it the full version of the Vista operating system?
No, it is an upgrade. The machine must already have a valid license for an existing Microsoft operating system (such as Windows XP). For equipment purchased without an operating system, with a competing operating system (Redhat, Solaris, etc.), or without a valid Microsoft OS license, you must first purchase a full version license of a supported Windows operating system. (Full version licenses are available for purchase through Cavalier Computers at an educational discount.) Subsequent upgrades will then be covered under the Campus Agreement. The one exception to this rule is that Bootcamp under Mac OS X is considered a valid operating system for upgrading.
Can I install Windows XP or Vista on a Mac with Bootcamp?
Yes. The Campus Agreement covers the installation of Windows XP or Vista on a Mac using OSX with Bootcamp. This does not require an existing Microsoft operating system license. As with other software covered by the Campus Agreement, this only applies for Macs that are owned by the University.
What edition of Vista will be made available under the Campus Agreement?
Windows Vista Enterprise Edition and Windows Vista Business Edition.
What about Vista's Ultimate edition? What is the difference between the Ultimate and Enterprise editions?

Vista Ultimate edition is available for purchase on the UVa Select Contract. The Enterprise Edition is the highest edition that we can make available to the University free of charge under the terms of the Campus Agreement.

The Enterprise edition is the highest edition of Windows geared toward business customers. The Ultimate edition is the highest edition geared toward home users. The Enterprise Edition offers all of the features of Ultimate Edition with the exceptions of Media Center, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows DVD Maker. Both editions offer Instant Search, integrated firewall, Windows Defender, User Account Control, the Aero User Interface, IE7 with protected mode, SuperFetch, Media Player 11, and Photo Gallery. The Enterprise Edition also includes Volume Shadow Copy support, faxing and scanning support, Rights Management Services, IIS 7, support for offline folders and files, and full-drive encryption technology (BitLocker).

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Windows Vista, as compared with Windows XP?

Windows Vista provides a new user interface, designed to improve the way you interact with your computer. Usability improvements include a new Explorer, Start Menu, Media Player, Internet Explorer, DirectX 10, and improved speech and handwriting recognition. The audio subsystem of Vista has been greatly improved. From a security standpoint, the built-in firewall has been improved to monitor both inbound and outbound connections and is enabled by default. User Access Control prevents applications from changing critical operating system files. This can help to prevent the accidental execution of malware installers and viruses.

The improvements in the user interface and security place greater demands on hardware. Machines require more RAM and CPU resources to maintain the operating system itself, leaving fewer resources available to applications. At the application level, the security enhancements have introduced various application compatibility issues. These issues will need to be worked out by the software manufacturers. While some manufacturers have already updated their applications for Vista support, many have not. The same applies to hardware manufacturers. Drivers will need to be updated to provide support for Vista.

Does Windows Vista Enterprise Edition require activation?
Yes. The edition of Vista distributed via the Campus Agreement to faculty and staff for University equipment will be configured to activate. There are two activation scenarios:
  • For university-owned computers always connected to the UVa network: The computer will check in to a UVa activation server on a weekly basis. The product will remain activated, provided it is able to re-establish this communication at least once every few months. If it cannot, Vista will enter a reduced functionality mode.
  • For university-owned computers kept off-Grounds: Users requesting this activation type may be required to submit a questionnaire for confirmation purposes. The application will require an activate Internet connection during the activation process only and will not require Internet connectivity once activated. Send email to tony@virginia.edu for more details.

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Many thanks to Rutgers University for permission to adapt portions of their Campus Agreement website for use at UVa.

© 2008 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.

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