Software Use & Access
ArcGIS is installed on all Science Center computers, including the SAL (SR104), and Neilson Digital Media Hub Computer Lab (Neilson 012D). The SAL labs are open and available for use when classes are not scheduled in the room. View the SAL Calendar here.
You can access ArcGIS Online through the Enterprise login using your Smith credentials.
Direct any questions regarding access to the software by reaching out to sal@smith.edu.
Anytime you’re presented with the login page, expand Enterprise login and type in smithcollege, and use your Smith credentials when prompted
If you would like ArcGIS Pro on your personal computer for Academic purposes, please reach out to sal@smith.edu sharing how the software will be used in the anticipated class or project. Please be aware that ArcGIS Pro only runs on Windows operating systems.
Another alternative is downloading QGIS, a free and open source software, direct from their website here. We recommend the Long Term Version for your operating system.
| ArcPro | ArcGIS Online | |
| Description | ArcPro is the latest desktop GIS program that has enhanced 3D and graphic capabilities, more interactive geoprocessing, and integration with ArcGIS Online. | ArcGIS Online is a collaborative web GIS where you can use, create, and share maps, 3D scenes, web applications, and data layers. |
| Platform | Desktop | Web |
| Interface | Ribbon | Toolbar |
| Integration with ArcGIS Online | Complete | n/a |
| Companion Applications | None, it's integrated | Commonly used: StoryMaps, Survey123 |
| Layout | Multiple | Single |
| 3D | 3D Scene | 3D web Scene |
| Analysis Capacity | No limit | Consumes credits by capability (except for: create viewshed, create watersheds, trace downstream). There are finite credits allotted and each analysis/hosting consumes credits proportional to the magnitude of the datasets |
| Analysis Capabilities | Similar to ArcMap with naming/workflow changes. Notable difference from ArcMap: don't need to start/end editing session, can change database schema without using ArcCatalog | Limited |
| User account | License tied to user; account generated by Enterprise login | Account tied to user; generated by Enterprise login |
| User privileges | Unrestricted | Default is Publisher - can create maps, perform analysis, add items, share content, create groups, and publish features/map tiles as hosted web layers |
| Map file | Projects (.aprx) - which can include multiple maps | Cloud-hosted web map |
| Data Sharing | Local and cloud-hosted (edit feature services on-the-fly) | Cloud hosted - can set access to indivial, Smith, or public |
You can sign in to ArcGIS Online through Enterprise login using your Smith credentials.
- OpenArcGIS Pro
- Expand the drop down menu “Your ArcGIS organization’s URL”, type smithcollege as shown below, and click continue
- Check the box in the bottom left hand corner and then click "Sign in using browser"
- If prompted with this pop up, select "Yes"
- After signing in with your Smith credentials and authenticating with DUO choose "Open ArcGIS Pro"
- You will need to repeat this process and authenticate each time you open ArcGIS Pro on a new computer
If you continue to have issues, reach out to Kala'i (lellis@smith.edu) for more help.
We have an Esri Education Institution License that covers college-related academic purposes like teaching and research (restrictive if administrative), and installation on personal devices, as long as you use it for learning purposes. Here’s the rubric for determining permitted uses under the Esri Education Institution License Program. If you have further clarifying questions, please contact Heather (hrosenfeld@smith.edu) or Kala'i (lellis@smith.edu).
To collaborate outside of Smith with another organization that has an ArcGIS Online account, we can set up a Collaboration space for two organizations to edit content. Please contact Kala'i (lellis@smith.edu) with the following:
- A brief description/purpose of the project, who’s involved, the duration
- The other organization’s URL (for example, Smith’s organization URL is https://smithcollege.maps.arcgis.com/)
- What kinds of materials do you anticipate sharing – StoryMaps, data layers?
Your access is tied to your Smith credentials, so you won’t be able to login once your email expires. You can sign up for an ArcGIS for Personal Use subscription for $100/year to use ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online for personal, not-for-profit uses
If you’re a graduating student, you should consider the following:
1. Transfer collaborative content to a current user – if you own the content that was created as part of a collaboration (e.g. group project, faculty research), please organize items that need to be transferred in folders, and contact the SAL general account (sal@smith.edu) with the folder name and whom to transfer to
2. Transfer to your ArcGIS for Personal Use subscription – once you have your personal account, you can migrate the content using ArcGIS Online Assistant. For items that can’t be transferred with AGOL Assistant (such as StoryMaps) or if you need help, please contact the SAL general account (sal@smith.edu)
3. Transfer to another ArcGIS Online organization – if your future employer or institution has an ArcGIS Online account and allows your content to be transferred there, you can migrate the content using ArcGIS Online Assistant. For items that can’t be transferred with AGOL Assistant (such as StoryMaps) or if you need help, please contact the SAL general account (sal@smith.edu)
4. Delete – you can delete any content that you no longer need, and others are not dependent on (e.g. a web map that’s part of a StoryMap or web app)
Spatial Data
Please contact Heather (hrosenfeld@smith.edu) to be added to the GIS users group. To connect to Q:/ and J:/:
- On a PC: File Explorer >> This PC >> Map Network Drive. Enter \\bass-nas\gis\gisdata for Q:/ and \\bass-nas\gis\gishome\username for J:/
- On a Mac: In Finder >> Go >> Connect to Server. Enter smb://bass-nas/gis/gisdata to connect to Q:/ or smb://bass-nas/gis/gishome/username for J:/
By default, ArcGIS saves your work on the local desktop (C:/). You should always indicate the output location of your files to be your personal workspace (J:/ drive) so that you can access your work from any computer on the campus network.
As long as you save your work in your personal workspace (J:/ drive), your work will be preserved until you graduate (and indefinitely if you deposit your data). Your ArcGIS Online content is guaranteed to be saved while you’re at Smith, but not indefinitely after you graduate or otherwise leave (reference above section for transferring your content).
You can reference our finding spatial data workshop when searching for spatial data in general. Good authoritative sources to get started are: Esri’s Living Atlas for the World, MassGIS for Massachusetts, and the SAL’s Open Data Portal for Smith. You can consult with Heather (hrosenfeld@smith.edu), Kala'i (lellis@smith.edu), or the SAL Associates for help as well.
Please fill out this metadata form and contact Heather (hrosenfeld@smith.edu) for help preparing your data
Learning Resources
The SAL is accessible during the Clark Science Center hours – Monday-Friday 7am-6pm, and any Smith student, staff, or faculty with a valid OneCard has card access Monday-Friday 6pm-11pm and weekends 8am-10pm. The Lab is available for use whenever there isn’t a class (please check our calendar). Heather, Kala'i, and student associates have regular drop-in help hours and are also available by appointment.
You can sign up to receive the SAL’s mapmonsters listserv for upcoming workshops and events. These are also posted on the lab’s calendar.
At Smith, we offer Mapping Our World: Introduction to GIS (GEO/ENV150) each fall. You can also take our new GIS class, LSS 220: GIS for Landscape & Urban Studies, intended to offer a more social sciences and planning oriented approach to GIS. It will be offered starting in Spring 2026. There's also a one credit IDP 109: Intro to GIS offered during some Interterm (J-term) sessions that's taught with QGIS.
To learn more about aerial imagery, including connections to GIS, we offer a two credit class, IDP 109: Aerial Imagery and Cinematography, every fall.
You can also cross-register within the Five Colleges, which offers equivalent and advanced spatial analysis courses.
Check out the learning resources page.
StoryMaps
Here's a step-by-step tutorial to get started with StoryMaps. Check the general FAQ for questions, and explore Esri resources and other stories for inspiration.
You can still edit existing classic StoryMaps, but not create new ones. The format will be phased out entirely in early 2026, when Classic StoryMaps will no longer be available. Contact sal@smith.edu with help recreating your Classic StoryMaps in the now-standard ArcGIS StoryMaps format.
An express map is a simple locator/distribution map that you can create within the StoryMap builder that you can draw features and annotate. It only exists within the StoryMap you’re working in as opposed to a web map that can be used in other StoryMaps and web apps. A web map is created in ArcGIS Online and then brought into StoryMaps. It can house layers, perform analysis, visualize, and prompt interactions with your narrative. We recommend using a web map where possible, but sometimes an express map is the right tool for the job.
Contact Heather (hrosenfeld@smith.edu) to set up a Shared Update Group, and then ensure that your StoryMaps or other projects are added to it.