In March, Microsoft announced it would discontinue sales of Microsoft Office Student Select, a discounted version of the Microsoft Office Suite sold to students through universities.
The information desk in Kilcawley Center has been selling the university’s remaining supplies. According to the inventory, there are about 150 copies left of Microsoft Office 2010 and about 80 copies of Microsoft Office 2011.
Purchasing either program from the information desk costs $62.50, but Lloyd Painter, the manager of technology customer support and training for Media and Academic Computing, said students have other options.
“We did find an alternative to a software that is very similar to Microsoft [Office] Student Select, and we are happy about that,” he said.
E-academy, or Kivuto Solutions, offers features similar to Microsoft Office, like word processing. A student may buy an online copy, which comes with a link for an easy download, or a physical copy.
“E-academy is a program that is very similar to Microsoft software and will be available at academic prices,” Painter said. “But students can still purchase Microsoft software at various stores, such as Best Buy or Amazon. There’s a whole bunch of places they can go.”
Painter said the new program will suit students’ needs for a discounted price, but those who would prefer to spend a little more for the Microsoft software can still find it elsewhere.
Office University 2010 is available at the Microsoft Student Store — which is exclusively for college students — for a student price of $99.99.
Despite these options, some Youngstown State University students are upset that Microsoft chose to discontinue the program.
Sophomore Amanda Tonoli said it’s an inconvenience. “It sucks we have to pay more now … but everyone has demands to meet to their higher-uppers,” she said.
Sophomore Derik Sheppa said he is also sad to see the program go.
“I think that as students we pay enough already for books and various supplies,” he said. “But it is kind of crappy that we can’t get it a discounted price anymore.”