Introduction
This document provides guidelines for the request, purchase, and installation of academic software installed in labs, classrooms, and walk-in computing facilities (academic computing facilities) at Rhode Island College.
Quick Links
Minimum Requirements
Microsoft Windows Software (Fall 2025 Requirements)
All academic software requested for Microsoft Windows workstations should be certified to be compatible with the following requirements:
- Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise
- 64 bit Intel Core processors 8th generation and later.
- 16 GB RAM
Apple macOS Software (Fall 2025 Requirements)
All academic software requested for Apple macOS workstations should be certified to be compatible with the following requirements:
- Apple macOS 15 "Sequoia"
- Apple Silicon (ARM) M1 processors and later.
- 16 GB RAM
Guidelines
User Support Services oversees software purchases and installation for centrally-managed electronic classrooms, computer labs, and walk-in computing facilities. The acquisition procedures described here do not apply to software purchased for departmental facilities.
Microsoft Office
All academic computers have Microsoft Office Professional pre-installed, and installations and upgrades do not need to be requested. For the Fall 2025 semester, the version of Microsoft Office installed in academic computing locations will be version 2024. Applications included in both the Windows and Mac versions of this productivity suite include Word (word processing), Excel (spreadsheets), PowerPoint (presentation), Outlook (e-mail/calendar), and OneNote (note-taking). The Windows version also includes Access (database).
In general, Microsoft Office will be updated in academic computing locations before the fall term of the most recent release from Microsoft, as long as the software is considered to be stable and bug-free. Release schedules from vendors such as Microsoft can change, but in general terms version of Microsoft Office Professional that is targeted at lab and classroom installations is updated every three years as of this writing.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Academic computer labs and walk-in computing facilities have the Shared Device License version of Adobe Creative Cloud installed. This version of Adobe Creative Cloud is designed for labs and provides the majority of functionality required to use these applications. Students are required to login with their RIC M365/SSO account to access the software. For the Fall 2025 semester the version of Adobe Creative Cloud suite installed in computer labs and walk-in computing facilities will be version 2025.
The Adobe Creative Cloud suite includes the following software:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Acrobat (Pro)
- Adobe Lightroom
- Adobe Audition
- Adobe AfterEffects
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Adobe XD
Other Adobe applications may be installed depending on drive storage available on academic workstations.
In general, Adobe Creative Cloud will be updated in academic computing locations before the fall term of the most recent release from Adobe, as long as the software is considered to be stable and bug-free. Release schedules from vendors such as Adobe can change, but in general terms the version of Adobe Creative Cloud that is targeted at lab and classroom installations is updated yearly as of this writing. If a release occurs during the academic year, any upgrades will be delayed in academic computing facilities until before the fall term.
Operating System Upgrades
Microsoft Windows
Major new versions of Microsoft Windows in general terms are released with 10 year support life cycle, with a new major version released approximately every 5 years. The RIC ITS/USS team will update academic computing facilities to the latest Windows major operating system version when the operating system is considered to be stable by the enterprise and education computing experts and communities, and all management tools and software packages are compatible and functioning. The latest yearly feature (minor) updates will be installed before the fall term begins and remain in place for the academic year. Bug-fix and security patching is completed monthly during off-hours automatically.
Apple macOS
Major new versions of Apple macOS in general terms are released yearly. The RIC ITS/USS team will update academic computing facilities to the latest major Apple operating system version before the fall term and remain in place for the academic year. The latest bi-monthly feature (minor) updates will be installed throughout the academic year. Feature updates, bug-fix and security patching is completed during off-hours automatically.
Procurement and Installation Requests
Requests for academic software, applications, and cloud-based services for centrally-managed facilities are vetted through academic review by faculty, department chairs, deans, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Additionally, User Support Services also reviews all academic software purchase requests and evaluates the licensing agreements, compatibility, usability, and redundancy of the requested software, applications, and online services.
To request the purchase and/or installation of software in USS facilities, please complete the Academic Software Request Form. Approval from a department chair, dean, or vice president may be required before purchase and installation can be completed. A funding source for procurement may also be required depending on available software purchase funding. USS will evaluate the software and obtain licensing information before the request is submitted to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for final approval. Approvals and any communication required should be entered or attached to the ticket associated with the Academic Software Request Form.
Academic Software Request Form Usage
The Academic Software Request Form should be used whenever the following is needed:
- New academic software, applications or cloud services (or combination of) is required for a class.
- Existing academic software needs to be installed in a new or additional location(s).
- Current academic software needs be upgraded to a new version. This could either be paid or free upgrade(s).
Updates for operating systems, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Cloud are not required to be requested. These will be announced by RIC ITS/USS to the community when they occur.
Academic Software Request Submission Deadlines
All academic software should be requested ahead of the term/semester it will be used. This provides RIC ITS/USS staff enough time to procure, test, and deploy software using its endpoint management systems.
Fall Semester Requests: June 1
Spring Semester Requests: November 1
Academic software requests submitted after these dates will be considered for an exception - to be evaluated based on cost and complexity of deployment to academic workstations.
Additional Questions
Questions regarding Academic Software Requests should be directed to the ITS Help Center by phone at (401) 456-8803 or by e-mail at helpdesk@ric.edu.