Introduction:
This year the University of Minnesota joined MnSCU as cost-sharing partner to form a new state-wide higher education site license. All ESRI licenses have been updated to 10/30/2010.

These products can be used for research, instruction and administration by faculty, registered students and administrative staff.

What is GIS?

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is one of the world's fastest growing technologies. GIS is also one of the hottest and most marketable job skills.

GIS is a truly interactive technology. It holds the key to analyzing, mapping and solving real-world problems involving spatial data. These computer-based tools integrate common database operations, such as query and statistical analysis with maps. GIS manages location-based (spatial) information and provides the ability to visualize layers of spatial data and create dynamic displays.

Who uses GIS?

Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Geographical Information Systems (GIS) (www.esri.com) has millions of users around the world and is already the GIS software of choice in MnSCU. ESRI is already used for academics and administration on at least twenty-three MnSCU campuses.

GIS is used for academic programs from a to z, research, facilities management, tracking admissions and placements, workforce education, lifelong learning, urban and regional planning. This technology is rapidly growing importance and is an essential technology for analyzing and managing the world's limited resources. Uses of this technology are limited only by the imagination.

Federal and state agencies have already adopted GIS technologies to manage resources and plan for the future. The State of Minnesota has standardized on ESRI GIS for use by all of the state agencies.

Minnesota State Colleges & Universities is one of more than three thousand colleges and universities around the world that are taking advantage of an Institution-wide ESRI Higher Education Site License.

How will ESRI GIS Benefit MnSCU?

This technology will help our faculty, staff, students and administrators to meet the challenges of a changing world. An unlimited, site license for ESRI GIS will provide cutting edge information technology that can be used across the curriculum and to solve real-world problems on our campuses and in our communities.

ESRI GIS can be used as a strategic tool for managing spatial data at all MnSCU colleges and universities. The MnSCU Office of the Chancellor will use ESRI GIS to analyze and generate maps for reporting to the state legislature and other constituents.

Federal and state agencies expect organizations, such as MnSCU to communicate geographical and spatial information by exchanging files saved in an appropriate GIS format.

What deliverables are provided?

  • MnSCU, as a whole, will receive nine full sets of the ESRI software.(Twice the amount of software normally provided to site licensees.)
  • Ten hardware keys are provided with each full set of software.(90 hardware keys in all)
  • Twelve seats for ESRI Technical Support GIS Specialists(Additional Tech Support can be purchased for $1500/seat)
  • Twenty ESRI Users Conference passes.
  • Access to the ESRI Virtual Campus for all MnSCU faculty, staff and students.

Conclusions

The system-wide ESRI Higher Education Site License covers faculty, staff, students and administrators at the participating institutions. The software can be used on any campus-owned computers in academic programs, and administrative offices, and even in customized training.

For More information

The ESRI web site at www.esri.com/highered/ contains a wealth of information about application of GIS for Higher Ed., including a recently published white paper titled, "Guidelines for Developing a Successful and Sustainable Higher Education GIS Program." This white paper can be found on the Web at: http://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/higher_ed.pdf

Minnesota State Contact:
Scott Wojtanowski, System Director of Academic Technology
Minnesota State, ASA
e-mail: Scott.Wojtanowski@minnstate.edu

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Last modified: May 17, 2016
Maintained by:Kathy Barta