Geographic Information Systems at Yale: Getting Started with GIS

Geographic Information Systems at Yale University encompasses a range of spatial applications and services. GIS is used by many disciplines at Yale University.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MyApps Yale GIS: ArcGIS Pro Launching Issue

Posted on Monday, September 15, 2025

The Yale ITS MyApps team have identified an issue in the MyApps Yale GIS virtual machines. See details:

ArcGIS Pro Not Found on Yale GIS Desktop

Originally published as a Knowledge-based Note KB0027370 . Authored by Stephen Watkins.

Symptoms: ArcGIS Pro is not appearing in the Start Menu or Search on the Yale GIS Desktop within the MyApps environment.

Cause: This issue is likely due to an indexing timing problem.

Resolution: To manually add the ArcGIS Pro shortcut to the Start Menu, follow these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Navigate to the ArcGIS Pro installation directory: C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\bin\
Add ArcGIS Pro to the Start Menu.
1. Right-click on ArcGIS Pro.
2. Select Pin to Start.

This workaround should resolve the issue and allow ArcGIS Pro to appear in the Start Menu.

Geospatial Support Services

At Yale, researchers from all disciplines embark in projects that require geospatial technologies to answer important questions and support learning and collaborative research initiatives. Since the 1940s, Yale Library has been offering uninterrupted mapping and, later, GIS support services. Yale members rely on a suite of services for all geospatial endeavors on campus, during fieldwork, internships, and collaborations around the world.

The Computational Methods and Data Department's Geospatial Support Services offer a suite of services and support for all geospatial endeavors on campus and while conducting fieldwork. The geospatial team offer consultations, provide licensed spatial data, conduct workshops and events, assist with spatial data discovery, and guide access to computing and software infrastructure, while strategizing to advance the support they provide in response to technological advancements and industry trends.

Esri Virtual GIS Training

Yale members can join Esri training platform for free access to hundreds of virtual GIS training

Login into Yale University ArcGIS Online.
Display the drop-down menu under your username (top right), and click on "Training."
Once you get access to the Esri training platform, you may browse their virtual course catalog

Esri training curated by Yale's GIS Librarian

New to GIS? This list of virtual Esri training will help get you started.

Note: The instructor-led training sessions require a fee. Yale members can get a discounted price.

Sign up for the Yale GIS-L Mailing List!

Stay informed about GIS-related events, announcements, and software issues. We use this list to keep the Yale GIS User Community informed about everything from GIS workshops to software license maintenance events.

GIS-L Listserv Sign-up
Yale University's GIS-L list is primarily intended for communication between the University's GIS user community and support staff. Discussion is unmoderated but monitored. Please note that many resources discussed and announced on the list are available to Yale University faculty, staff, and students, only. If you are a Yale affiliate, we ask that you use your yale.edu email address for subscription and correspondence on the list.

Geospatial Consultations

Our geospatial team includes a group of enthusiastic consultants who can work with you to integrate GIS into your various projects and learning activities. Some of the aspects that you can discuss during your consultation are:

Geospatial support services for all disciplines, assisting from individual research to long-term team project planning
Strategies to plan your spatiotemporal work ahead
An overview of the tools and techniques used to map raster and vector datasets, using both open source and Esri software
Complex spatiotemporal data analyses and modeling

MEET THE GEOSPATIAL CONSULTANTS

MyApps Yale GIS: Remote Access to GIS Desktop

June 01, 2020
The ITS Public Computing group has worked tirelessly, and now Yale students and faculty can access GIS software, via MyApps Yale GIS, including Esri ArcGIS for Desktop (ArcMap), ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, Google Earth Pro, and GeoDa.

MyApps Yale GIS is a comprehensive desktop and app virtualization service that provides access to a Windows-based environment containing Yale licensed software from both personal and Yale-owned devices.
Access to MyApps Yale GIS service will use multi-factor authentication (MFA) via DUO.
Starting June 01, 2020, the MyApps at Yale Citrix environment is no longer be available. This change does not apply to MyApps at YNHHS.
It offers a full Windows 10 desktop. The desktop includes Yale licensed software that is currently available in the Public Clusters (for students) or software specific to departmental needs.

ACCESS

For eligibility, please visit the Virtual Services: Desktop & Application webpage.
To access the new environment, please download the remote desktop software and follow the Getting Started Guide.
Access to the new MyApps Yale GIS environment is also available through the web.
Eligible users will access MyApps Yale GIs with their Yale email address and NetID password.

Note: All students with an active Yale email address are licensed to access the MyApps Yale GIS service via their personal devices.

FAQs:

Will I be able to save personal files on the virtual desktop?
The virtual desktop allows access to software available on the Public Clusters (students), or for specific use by teams or departments at Yale. Personal files should only be saved to a cloud drive, such as OneDrive, or to a network share.

Will I be able to add software to the virtual desktop?
You can customize your view of the virtual desktop, but software downloads/additions are not permitted. If you or your group have a specific need for software on the virtual desktop, please reach out to your professor, proctor, or manager.

Need help?

For additional assistance, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 203-432-9000 or visit the IT Services Portal to view answers to trending questions, search how-to articles, start a chat, or report a problem. You may also contact your local IT support provider.

Public Computer Labs with GIS Software

Yale University offers hundreds of public computers that are located throughout campus and are intended for use by members of the Yale community. These computers have a common software image to provide ample access to academic programs and software needed for classes.

Regarding GIS software, this is not a complete list but includes locations where the GIS software has been installed. You may find one or a combination of the Esri ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap) and ArcGIS Pro, Google Earth Pro, and/or QGIS:

SCIENCE HILL

Marx Science and Social Science Library (Marx Library) | 219 Prospect Street | Directions
Computer Lab at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies | Sage Hall 3rd Floor, Room 39 | 205 Prospect Street | Map

HILLHOUSE

Dunham Laboratory, Room 120 | 10 Hillhouse Avenue | Map
17 Hillhouse, Room 07 and room 111 | Map
Rosenkranz, Room 01 | 115 Prospect Street | Map

CENTRAL CAMPUS

Sterling Memorial Library | 120 High Street | Map
- public computers located at the Nave
- Franke Family Digital Humanities Laboratory | Franke Room
- Irving S. Gilmore Music Library

MEDICAL SCHOOL

Harvey Cushing / John Hay Whitney Medical Library at the Sterling Hall of Medicine | 333 Cedar Street | Map

Residential Colleges Citrix Computers

GIS Inquiries

GEOSPATIAL INQUIRIES
For assistance with GIS data or software, please contact the geospatial team at geospatialhelp@yale.edu.

For more complex questions, we encourage you to schedule a geospatial consultation.

Map Inquiries

MAP INQUIRIES
For assistance with scanned or paper maps from the Map Collection, please contact beinecke.library@yale.edu

Head of Geospatial Support Services

Miriam Olivares

Email Me

Contact:

Sterling Memorial Library, Room 176G (inside DH Lab)