Adobe Licensing Changes
Texas A&M is transitioning to a new Adobe licensing model to reduce costs and improve access. The update includes a grace period through November 4–5, 2025, and introduces streamlined options for Acrobat Pro, Adobe Express, and Creative Cloud.
Overview
The DSA Adobe Licensing Changes project documents the transition of Adobe licensing within the Division of Student Affairs as communicated through DSA IT Liaison materials and internal newsletters. The change is driven by the expiration of the existing Adobe contract and the introduction of a new campus‑wide subscription model. Under the new model, Adobe Acrobat Pro will be available to all employees, while Adobe Express will be available to students and on shared computers. Departments are required to review their needs for Adobe Creative Cloud licenses, which are no longer universally included. The project also includes a coordinated software removal and reinstallation effort across the DSA domain to align with the new contract terms.
The current Adobe contract has been extended beyond its original end date, and a new contract has been finalized with updated licensing terms. DSA IT has communicated expected changes through IT Liaison meetings and the DSA newsletter. A grace period has been communicated for departments to remove and reinstall Adobe products under the new model. Departments are in the process of identifying which users require Creative Cloud licenses.
- October 5, 2025 – Original end date of the current Adobe contract.
- November 5, 2025 – Extended end date of the current Adobe contract.
- Early November 2025 – Planned start of Adobe software removal and reinstallation across the DSA domain.
- 60‑day grace period – Expected window to complete removal and installation of Adobe products (duration stated, start/end dates not specified).
All DSA employees will receive access to Adobe Acrobat Pro under the new contract without needing a special request. Students and shared computers will have access to Adobe Express, rather than the full Creative Cloud suite. Employees who rely on advanced Adobe tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign must be identified by their department to receive a Creative Cloud license. During the transition period, Adobe software may be temporarily removed and reinstalled on DSA-managed devices.
- Departments must determine which staff require Adobe Creative Cloud licenses.
- Coordinate removal and reinstallation of Adobe software on DSA‑managed machines.
- Communicate licensing impacts and expectations to departmental users.
- Extension of the existing Adobe contract to allow additional transition time.
- Finalization of a new Adobe contract covering employees and students under revised terms.
- Initial communication of licensing changes via DSA IT Liaison meetings and the DSA newsletter.
- $33 per year – Cost per Adobe Creative Cloud license for departments that require it.
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60 days – Expected grace period for completing Adobe software transitions.
- – Presenter and point of communication for Adobe Licensing Changes in DSA IT Liaison materials.
- Reddic, Tyson – Contributor to DSA IT Liaison communications, where licensing changes were documented.
- DSA IT – Responsible for coordinating software removal, installation, and departmental communication.
Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
