Fresh Start for Donated Computers Program: An Executive Overview
Updated: April 7, 2004
Program Helps K–12 Schools Address Licensing Issues and Focus on Learning
The head of Microsoft's Education Solutions Group explains a new program that makes it easier for primary and secondary schools to ensure that donated PCs they’ve received are properly licensed — at no cost to the schools.
Schools often receive donated computers that lack the appropriate supporting documentation and media for the Microsoft Windows operating system. That puts a school in a difficult situation; in many cases, budget constraints make such donations very appealing, yet the school has no way of knowing if the PCs contain properly licensed software.
To help resolve this issue, the Microsoft Education Solutions Group offers a program called Fresh Start for Donated Computers, which provides the proper documentation and Windows installation CDs for those that are now missing — at no cost to the primary and secondary schools.
Sherri Bealkowski, general manager of the Microsoft Education Solutions Group since April 2002, recently shared her perspective on how the Fresh Start for Donated Computers program supports Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to helping teachers, students and lifelong learners use technology.
Q: What does the Fresh Start for Donated Computers program mean to schools?
Bealkowski: We created the program in response to feedback from our education customers, who said it can be challenging for them to accept a donated PC if they have to spend additional money to get it licensed or to restore the original operating system. We knew we needed to step up and provide a better solution than we have in the past so teachers and students can get back to the business of learning. The Fresh Start for Donated Computers program is another step in our ongoing relationship with the education community.
Q: How can schools participate in the Fresh Start for Donated Computers program?
Bealkowski: It’s a very simple process. K–12 schools can register donated computers for use in their school at the Fresh Start for Donated Computers Web site, and Microsoft will send a copy of the missing Windows operating system and proper documentation at no charge. For education customers that have a School Agreement with Microsoft, the program allows them to add the newly donated PC to their existing agreement, which means they can extend the software they already have to that PC. Schools can install the software on donated PCs at no extra cost for the remainder of their School Agreement. The School Agreement also gives them access to additional software at a dramatically reduced cost.
Q: Why is Microsoft providing the Fresh Start for Donated Computers program?
Bealkowski: The driving force behind Fresh Start for Donated Computers is the customer. We try to speak to educators and visit as many schools as possible. What we heard was that schools that are facing budget constraints often find the process of licensing donated computers to be an added burden. It’s common for individuals and organizations to remove the operating system, in addition to any personal and private data, before donating a PC. Even though the computer had an original operating system, the school is left with no proof of that license and faces an added cost to restore the operating system. We wanted to act on our commitment to technology access for all students and teachers by helping remove licensing barriers that might prevent primary and secondary schools from utilizing donated computers.
We considered different perspectives and came up with a solution built on the input of people such as school officials, technology professionals and equipment manufacturers. Given the fact that schools are facing greater financial challenges than ever before, we kept fiscal issues at the top of our minds during the planning process.
Schools Salute "Fresh Start"
Response to the new Fresh Start for Donated Computers program from school officials:
"What Microsoft has done allows schools, without reservation, to take the good intentions of those who want to help education and make it a reality. In light of our budget, student access to technology would be limited without this program." Al Green
Technology Coordinator
Falcon School District
Falcon, Colorado
"I am working with my parish grade school to figure out what I need for the 50 systems donated by a parishioner. The systems had the OS overwritten to remove any company info that may have been there. Bottom line, this program will help a struggling school greatly." Ron Dressel
Volunteer Computer Consultant
St. Anthony Catholic Grade School
Temperance, Michigan |
Q: What has the reaction been to the program?
Bealkowski: So far, our education customers have been enthusiastic about the program and how easy it is to simply go to the Web site and sign up. We’ll continue to talk to schools about Fresh Start for Donated Computers to find out what they think of the program, how it’s helped them, and what we could do better. The direct, open and honest feedback we get from our customers in the education sector is key to our ability to build and deliver programs that address immediate needs with effective solutions. Although we formally survey our education customers once a year, we like to keep our ears open to feedback every day so we can act on it.
Q: What advice would you give to school administrators who are offered donations of used computers?
Bealkowski: In an ideal world, schools would prefer to have a disciplined process, where the donations arrive with the necessary paperwork in place so that the schools can track their machines and assets in an organized and professional way. Administrators would love to be able to accomplish that, of course, but it’s difficult because of the decentralized nature of school districts and the manner in which donations arrive. Our goal is for the Fresh Start for Donated Computers program to help eliminate as many of the obstacles as possible for schools that choose to take advantage of donated technology
