A deal between the Contra Costa Community College District and Microsoft has yielded the benefit of a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to anyone using a Microsoft-based InSite email account.

This bargain has rolled out districtwide. Microsoft is offering similar deals to any organization that signs up, for a modest fee.

“If you like Microsoft Office it’s a great deal.” James Eyestone, Contra Costa College technology systems manager, said.

Student Lizeth Hinojoza said, “I already downloaded it. It’s easy to get to. I use Word mostly.”

Educators have expressed concern over the partnership between corporation and public education, as it is indoctrinating a generation of students in the use of Microsoft programs, and efficiently cutting out potential competitors, but it’s still free to students and that’s hard to argue with.

“It depends on how you feel about it,” Eyestone said.

Student Mai Pham said, “ (I won’t download it) I have (Word) already.”

The deal will be available to students for the foreseeable future and students can keep using the programs until they graduate, as long as the district lets them keep their InSite email.

To download a copy sign in with InSite ID at aka.ms/4cdGetOffice365.

The download is compatible with either Apple or Windows products.