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Software Acquisition Policy

Effective as of Mar 14, 2019 | Last updated on Aug 22, 2023


Policy Statement

Creative Instructional Technologies (CIT) maintains the academic software in the computer labs, the remote 'Cloudlab', studio classrooms, and lecture halls where computers are available for teaching and learning purposes as well as the laptops circulated by the Media Center. The procedures outlined here governs all faculty requests for academic software titles and tools.

Procedures

New software purchase Requests

To request new software titles not currently installed on our academic computing workstations, use the Annual Academic Software Purchase Request form (see our current lab software: here). The request form must be completed by March 31 for consideration in the next academic year's software build. Software requests are evaluated for approval by CIT and faculty leadership based on need and licensing costs. All software must meet compatibility and data security standards. Notifications regarding new software purchase requests and approvals will be sent in a timely manner.

No-cost software Requests

To request plug-ins, software updates, educational licensing, or other free tools, use the Ad-hoc Academic Software Request form. Please send requests prior to each semester start, or at minimum two weeks prior to needed.

New iPad apps Requests

To request new iPad apps not in our inventory (see our current iPadOS apps: here ), use the iPadOS App Request form. Please note that apps for purchase need to be requested four weeks prior to date needed and requests for free apps will take approximately one week for review and approval.

Additional Information

Software Licensing Requirements

CIT will not install software without proper licensing. A sufficient number of valid network or lab licenses must be obtained and provided for prior to installation. Licensing is generally determined by the maximum number of simultaneous users of a particular software title as opposed to the actual number of workstations that the software title should be made accessible

Software Versions

Best practices dictates that CIT not support multiple versions of the same software title in our computer labs and classrooms. If an older or different version than installed is required for instruction, please submit a specific request using the Ad-hoc Academic Software Request form for consideration.

Software Installation and Testing

The academic software-build and deployment is a time-consuming and often complex task. For best results, we ask that our faculty partners test the software and apps in the environments they are teaching in at the semester start. Testing is especially important for courses using: ArcGIS, Pro Tools, SolidWorks, Unity 3D, Unreal Engine UDK, V-Ray for Maya, V-Ray for Rhino, and Rhino (Rhino 3D, RhinoCAM, Chaos Cosmos).

Installation of software on CCA computers and systems that fails to comply with this policy may result in immediate removal of the software following a review by CIT staff.

Contacts

Policy Stewards

Update History

Apr 28, 2023

  • Converted into Portal Policy page format
  • Several edits for clarity