Information Technology

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Microsoft Software Campus Agreement FAQ

Minnesota State University Moorhead is participating in the MnSCU Campus Agreement with Microsoft Software. This agreement provides the university with annually renewable rights to install some of the Microsoft products currently in use on our campus computers.

What does the Campus Agreement provide?

The Campus Agreement gives the university the right to install and run the covered Microsoft software on all university-owned computers for the length of the contract. It also allows university employees to run the software on home computers under certain conditions.

Can I install the Microsoft programs on my home computer?

Microsoft has revised the Campus Agreement's Work At Home feature, under which permanent university employees are allowed to acquire software for home installation. The following are excerpts from the revised contract language:

"...Under Campus Agreement 3.1, your school may grant limited Work at Home Rights to faculty and staff members only at no extra charge. These rights permit the use of desktop or CAL products (with the exception of Microsoft Press titles and SQL Server CAL) on a personally owned computer for work-related purposes only...

IMPORTANT NOTE: Users are not licensed to use the software at home for personal purposes.

Before extending these rights, you should clearly understand the terms and conditions. By extending these rights, your institution accepts responsibility for communicating the terms and conditions to your faculty and staff. This includes keeping accurate records of software use and distribution and ensuring that your faculty and staff understand the stated terms and conditions."

What Microsoft applications are available for use through this program?

The Microsoft applications available to Moorhead State Employees are: Office 2003 Pro, FrontPage 2003, Visual Studio.NET 2003 Pro, and Windows XP Upgrade for Windows computers, Office 2004 Pro  and 2004 Standard for Macintosh computers. These Microsoft applications are available using eSoftware.

Is there a way for employees to purchase Microsoft software for their personal use on home computers?

Yes. Through Microsoft's Employee Select licensing MSUM employees may purchase the same software available to our students through eSoftware at the same low prices. The Employee Select applications available for employees are: Microsoft Office 2003 Pro and Standard, FrontPage 2003, OneNote 2003, Project Standard 2003, Visio Standard 2003, and Windows XP Upgrade for Windows computers and Microsoft Office 2004 Pro and Standard for Macintosh Computers.

Can students install the Microsoft software on their home computers?

A student option is not included in our Campus Agreement. However, students may purchase select Microsoft software at discounted prices using eSoftware. The Student Select applications available for MSUM students are: Microsoft Office 2003 Pro and Standard, FrontPage 2003, OneNote 2003, Project Standard 2003, Visio Standard 2003, and Windows XP Upgrade for Windows computers and Microsoft Office 2004 Pro and Standard for Macintosh Computers.

How can I access the Campus Agreement license policies?

A summary of the university's Campus Agreement policies is available online. The complete Agreement is on file at the Computer Center and may be reviewed during regular business hours.

Which version of Office and FrontPage will run on my computer?

Office 2003 and FrontPage 2003 for Windows and Office 2004 for Macintosh require significant computer resources and may not run well on older computers. The Microsoft system requirements are available online. 

How do I know which version to run on my computer?

Recommendations for the software programs are online. You should remember that the requirements increase as you add more programs to your system, especially when you run them simultaneously.

Can I run a combination of Office XP, Office 2000 and Office 97 on my computer?

Microsoft does not recommend running more than one version of Office on a single computer. It is possible to run both versions of the applications, except for Access and Outlook, but doing so greatly increases the possibility of encountering system problems.

How can I get the Microsoft software installed on my office computer?

Requesting installation of the Microsoft software is the same as any other software on campus. Email  support@mnstate.edu with with a request that clearly states the product, version, office number, computer make and model, contact name and phone number or email address. Additional information is available online.

How can I get the software on my home computer?

Due to recent changes in the Microsoft Work-At-Home rules, CD checkout is no longer available. The software may be ordered online using eSoftware, and it will be delivered directly to your home.

What kind of support will the Information Technology Department provide if I have problems with my home computer?

Support for home computers will be limited to offering periodic workshops on using the software.

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