About the CSU GIS Specialty Center

How we work

The CSU GIS Specialty Center brings together all 22 CSU campuses and the Chancellor’s Office to support the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing. Here’s how it works across the CSU system:

Shared software access

Campuses pool resources to maintain systemwide software contracts with industry leaders like ESRI and NV5 Geospatial. This gives students, faculty, and staff access to the tools required for mapping, image processing and fieldwork.

Find info on your CSU

Training and proffessional development

CSU members benefit from ESRI-run workshops and receive complimentary registrations to the annual ESRI User Conference and Education Summit. These opportunities help faculty, staff and students stay current with the latest GIS technology and trends.

Conferences, workshops and training

Collaboration and community

Beyond software and training, the Center fosters intercampus dialogue. Faculty and researchers share best practices, collaborate on projects and exchange ideas on teaching, research and applied GIS work across the state.

Structure and governance

Director

The Director for the CSU GIS Specialty Center is Dr. Jerry Davis. Dr. Davis is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at San Francisco State University. He specializes in geomorphology, soils, field methods and geographic information systems. View courses taught by Jerry Davis here. Dr. Davis was part of the team of CSU GIS faculty who negotiated and implemented the system-wide site license for GIS software with ESRI.  

Contact Information: jerry@sfsu.edu 

GIS Specialty Center Administrator

The Specialty Center Administrator manages all software licensing and distribution, contract renewals, annual subscription renewals for CSU campuses, event planning and contract compliance. If you have any questions about software availability, licensing or compliance please contact Quentin Clark. 

Contact Information: gis@sfsu.edu

Board Members

Each campus appoints one faculty member, staff member or librarian to serve as a Board Member. Campuses determine independently how their campus representatives are chosen. Board Members are responsible for communicating with faculty, staff and administration at their campus. The board member is not expected to be an advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) user themselves but must be able to communicate effectively with GIS users and technical staff across their campus. Board members are highly encouraged to attend the Annual Board Meeting and are eligible to serve as a CSU representative to the UCGIS symposium. 

Technical Representatives

The Technical Representative provides GIS and Remote Sensing technical support for their campus. This role varies from campus to campus. Generally, this person serves as a resource for IT and faculty/staff with questions about software installation or operation. If the Technical Representative cannot resolve the issue themselves, they should escalate the issue to Esri Technical Support for additional support.

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Additional resources

GIS Specialty Center Annual Meetings CSU Drone Use Policy About GIS