Frequently Asked Questions

You may order software that is offered by ITS using our online order form and selecting the program(s) you would like.  A ticket will be created so that a technician will stop by to install the software.  In a few cases (i.e.: Endnote, Symantec Anti-Virus), you can download the software to your computer through a browser.  For more information on the software programs, view our software list and click on those programs.

Software not officially supported by ITS can be obtained through individual department funds for office or student lab usage.  Software that is used for an individual computer or classroom use must be purchased by that department. 

Software requests should be forwarded to the Dean by the chair of the department, or to the budget manager of a non-academic department.  Pass along any quotes you have obtained and include a memo entitled “Software Request” which states the following:

• Number of software copies needed
• Where the software will be installed (include specific office locations and labs)
• Course names which will utilize the software (if applicable)
• Number of students in each class, if software is for student use

Based on this, the Dean or head of the department will see if there are enough funds to cover the purchase.  Then the Dean or department head will supply you with a POETS code to expedite processing by ITS.

ITS purchases general use software programs that are used by departments across campus, including public labs.  Budget restrictions limit what software can be purchased. However, if you are aware that other departments are interested in a specific type of software not currently offered by ITS, or if you believe the campus as a whole could benefit from a new software license, you may submit a request for review by the Software Committee.  Any research you do in advance is helpful, including finding out if others on campus share your interest in the product.

Follow this link for more information about making a software request.

At this time, ITS only charges for Adobe products and for SPSS for Home Use.  Price information is listed on the Choose Software Page and you will need to provide your department’s POETS code on the order form.  You can obtain your POETS code from your department head and/or budget officer.

ITS periodically reviews the costs of software licenses and reserves the right to impose small cost-recovery fees  to any software program at any given time.  Order forms will be updated with this information on a regular basis.

Yes, ITS had negotiated rates with a variety of vendors to provide software applications to faculty and staff at no cost or at significantly discounted rates. Currently, software licenses are available in these three categories:

• Concurrent use licenses require the purchase of a sufficient number of licenses based on estimates of how many computers are actually using the software at any one time and generally are accompanied by or require “license manager” software.  For example, if ITS only has 20 concurrent use licenses for a particular software program, no more than 20 users can access that software at the same time.
• Enterprise Campus (site) licenses require a set fee to be paid, either a flat rate unrelated to the number of computers or, more commonly, on a scale based on the number of computers or other devices attached to the network, or on the number of students, faculty and staff at the University of San Diego.  These software packages have been purchased for the University of San Diego “site” and can be installed on any USD workstation.
• Workstation (limited quantity) licenses require the purchase of an individual license for every computer on which the software is made available.  These are in limited quantity as they are “per user” or “per workstation.”

Yes! All services of the Help Desk, Software Team, and Faculty Support are offered free of charge to university faculty and staff. Students should purchase software at the bookstore.

We offer the following types of software free of charge:

• Microsoft Office 2010 and 2011 ($9.95 for Home Use copies)
• Norton Antivirus
• EndNote
• ArcGIS
• Respondus
• Word Perfect