University Systems help centre
Microsoft software licensing benefits
UVic is now enrolled in a Microsoft Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES) licensing agreement. This agreement provides the institution with access to Microsoft software and services and provides the campus with the following benefits:
- Provides access to Microsoft software (see details below)
- Grants the ability to upgrade UVic-owned workstations to the latest versions of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office at any time for no additional cost
- Enables the use of Microsoft BitLocker whole disk encryption to protect data stored on university workstations
- Provides the ability for departments to use Microsoft SharePoint to facilitate collaboration
- Enables all faculty and staff to use the Microsoft Exchange email and calendaring service
- Permits the installation of the latest Microsoft software for student use in the Student Computing Facilities and other student labs
- Allows the use of Microsoft Forefront to scan incoming email for viruses or other malicious software
- Provides the campus with the ability to use Microsoft Active Directory services to manage workstations on campus
- Allows all faculty and staff to obtain a copy of Microsoft Office for use on a personally-owned computer at home for only $11 under the Home Use Program
By entering into this Microsoft licensing agreement, the university seeks to provide an up-to-date, healthy computing environment that allows all departments, faculty, and staff to use the latest technology in support of teaching and learning.
What software is licensed under this agreement?
The following Microsoft products are available for faculty and staff to use on UVic-owned workstations as part of this agreement:
- Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise upgrade
- Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 for PC
- Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac
- Future versions of these software titles, such as Windows 8 or Office 2013
What is the cost?
There is no charge to departments, faculty, and staff to use the Microsoft software licensed under this agreement. To help fund this service, a Microsoft License Charge is recovered when an institutional purchase of a workstation is processed. This charge takes the place of the existing costs of Microsoft Office Professional Plus ($74.38) and the cost of the Windows 7 Enterprise upgrade (a $279.99 value). The Microsoft License Charge is $69. This grants the workstation the ability to use required software tools like Office, and ensures that the workstation can remain current by upgrading the latest versions of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office for the duration of its use.
How do I obtain Microsoft software?
Software licensed under this agreement is available from the Microsoft Software Licensing download page.
To access Microsoft Office for home use, visit the Home Use Program page.