Academic alliance saves university funds, provides students with software

10/12/2011 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

An academic alliance now allows William Woods University students to use cutting-edge Microsoft software in the comfort of their own rooms.

Microsoft Developers Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA) provides software to universities and to students at a fraction of the retail cost. It makes it easier and less expensive for academic institutions to obtain Microsoft developer tools, platforms and servers for instructional and research purposes.
 
The Management Information Systems department, on the advice of Murphy Tetley, MIS instructor, subscribed to the Designer Academic Alliance last year. It encompasses 11 software programs to be used in the visual, illustration, design and art departments. The subscription, which costs $399 per year, has already saved the university $8,000.
 
Before purchasing this software, MIS students had to use WWU computers where the Adobe software was installed, or purchase their own. Now, students who are enrolled in an MIS class can check the software out from Tetley, download it onto their personal computers and use it whenever they want.
 
“I had looked at it three years ago, and it was more expensive and didn’t offer as much. When I looked at it again in the fall of 2010, I realized it was a no-brainer,” said Tetley. “The university was paying $399 per computer for the Adobe Suite of software.”
 
Approximately 30 students have already taken advantage of MSDNAA’s software and downloaded it to their personal computers.
 
“Anytime we can make the learning process more convenient, we are bound to see better results,” said Dr. Linda Davis, professor of MIS, “Students can now work on assignments 24/7 and having the software available to each of them for free is a huge benefit.”