Let Students Decide
What Software to Buy!

Sample Petition:

We, the undersigned, believe that individual students should be given the choice of which computer operating system, Web browser, and other software we use. We believe that school administrators should not make these decisions for us by entering into volume software licensing agreements with Microsoft.

We assert that:

• Universities which enter into comprehensive licensing agreements with Microsoft are denying students the right to make their own decisions about which computer operating system, browser, or software to use.
• Microsoft's marketing of the Windows operating system and the Office software package at discounts of up to 95% should be investigated by the Justice Department or the Attorney General's office to determine if it constitutes illegal, monopolistic "dumping" aimed at forcing competitors out of the market.
• Students should be offered the widest possible range of affordable options for purchasing computer operating systems, browsers, and software, and school administrators should avoid purchasing agreements that limit student options.

Because Microsoft's marketing practices limit students' choices, we ask the administration to take the following steps:

• Reject offers of discounted software licenses for the entire student body which limit students' purchasing options.
• Offer and provide technical support for reasonably priced computer operating systems, browsers, and software packages from a wide range of manufacturers.

Signed:

Signature _______________________________  Major _______________________

Signature _______________________________  Major _______________________

Signature _______________________________  Major _______________________

Signature _______________________________  Major _______________________

Signature _______________________________  Major _______________________

Signature _______________________________  Major _______________________

Signature _______________________________  Major _______________________

Signature _______________________________  Major _______________________

Signature _______________________________  Major _______________________

Signature _______________________________  Major _______________________

(Written by Mitch Stoltz, , for NetAction, 9/28/98)
Contact NetAction for more information:

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