Software Aquisition Policy

Policy relating to the acquisition of software for use in the Interdisciplinary Microcomputer Lab is documented in University Management Letter 84-3. Some important excerpts from this letter are reiterated below:

Copyrighted or licensed software may not be copied except for purposes of backup and storage.
Prospective buyers are encouraged to acquire public domain software if available and suitable for the anticipated need.
If proprietary software must be purchased, buyers are encouraged to acquire software for which a multiple copy discount or site license can be obtained from the licenser or manufacturer.
Some software may be licensed to a particular central processing unit (CPU) on which the software is to be used exclusively. If the associated CPU has been acquired using State resources, the proposed purchase of software is subject to the following constraints: If the software is to be licensed to a CPU located in a room containing more than one CPU, the purchase order shall not be executed unless the number of copies of software ordered equals the number of CPU's capable of operating the software in that room. It is the responsibility of the department purchasing additional CPU's to include the cost of presently licensed software in that purchase.