How long do I have access to Data Lab computers, the Engineering Lab VDI, or other software after I graduate?
Your Tufts accounts are deactivated 90 days after your degree conferral date which can be checked on SIS. Once you no longer have an active UTLN (ex. Jsmith01), you will no longer be able to log into our computers, the Engineering Lab VDI, or other software that is connected to your username such as ESRI ArcGIS applications. You should save all content and data in usable formats in a location which is not connected to Tufts, such as a hard drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.
If you acquired software on Tufts on the Hub, it will depend on the specific software and agreement. You can check your orders there to see when you will have access to specific applications.
What happens to my content (Box, ArcGIS Online, H:/ Drive) after I graduate?
That depends on what content you’re referring to!
- H Drive: Your H Drive will remain accessible as long as your Tufts Username is active. Before your user name is deactivated, you should zip up contents of your H drive and copy to personal storage (drop box, google drive, USB, hard drive, personal computer). Once your username is no longer active, you will loose access and the drive gets zipped up and transferred to Tufts Storage. We keep H:/ drives for ~5 years, but it is not guaranteed. If you have graduated and would like to see if we still have the contents of your H:/ drive, email DataLab-support@elist.tufts.edu
- Box: Content in Box can be saved off using Box Sync. Instructions can be found here. Otherwise you will lose access to Box when your username deactivates 90 days after degree conferral. Important content can also be transferred to other owners that will remain at Tufts, as appropriate.
- Canvas: Canvas content can be tricky! To download all of your submissions from a class go here. To download content from a class, you must export each file individually as there is no bulk download.
- ArcGIS Online: See below for more specifics on ESRI ArcGIS Products. Overall, maps, data, and applications (such as StoryMaps and Dashboards) that have been published and shared publicly (with Everyone) on ArcGIS Online will remain live and well. We will not remove publicly available content. As of right now, Tufts organizational accounts are kept indefinitely even though you will lose access. However, this might change as storage limits are approached. If you need to access something in an ArcGIS Online account through Tufts, email DataLab-Support@elist.tufts.edu and we might be able to help, but it is not guaranteed.
How long do I have access to ESRI ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online after I graduate?
When your Tufts Account is deactivated 90 days after graduation, you will lose the ability to log into our TuftGIS Organization on ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Pro (even if it’s installed on your computer). However, your account and all publicly available content that lives in ArcGIS Online will remain, even though you won’t have access to it. Rest assured, your publicly shared StoryMaps, data, or Dashboards will not be removed! .
Here are some important things to do to ensure important content lives on:
- Data in AGOL: If you would like to still be able to access data in ArcGIS Online account, you should set it to public and make your own personal ArcGIS Online account. Note that this will make your data publicly available on the web and you can search for it and save it to your personal account. In the Data settings, it is also a good idea
- Applications & Maps: Any application, map, or data that you want to live on after you graduate, you should share publicly (Everyone). In the settings, there is also a checkmark that say “prevent this item from being deleted“. For very important content, we recommend checking that setting just to ensure it is safe. Applications, maps and data that are NOT shared publicly and are kept Private (only available to you) are at risk of being deleted in future years. It is not likely anything happens immediately, but as we approach storage capacity, we will need to remove content and private content by users who are no longer at Tufts will be the first to be removed.
If you have graduated and you have questions about your content, please email Carolyn Talmadge at DataLab-Support@elist.tufts.edu
What if I want things removed down the line and don’t have access?
If you have made ArcGIS Online applications publicly available, but decide down the line you want them taken down, you can email the Data Lab at DataLab-Support@elist.tufts.edu and request we unshare your content. Please have the link/name of the application so we can easily find it.
What if I still want to use ArcGIS or ArcGIS Online after I graduate?
Many companies have enterprise accounts to ArcGIS and will have licenses if the software is required for your role. For personal use you can buy an individual license. You can also consider open-source alternatives like QGIS or even python and R spatial packages (geopandas, rasterio, spdep, sf, rioxarray, fiona, and more!). ESRI also offers a free version of StoryMaps.
What resources exist for GIS career development?
We highly recommend joining ESRI’s Young Professionals Network – Esri’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a community for those just starting their GIS journey or experienced professionals new to the field. They have a LinkedIn and send out excellent information via their newsletters, along with hosting fun networking events and learning opportunities!
We also have a recommended list of Associations and Listservs to join and a page for career resources.
How do I stay in touch with Tufts GIS?
We’d love if you stayed in touch after you graduate! First, join our Tufts GIS Community on LinkedIn to connect with fellow GIS alumni and hear about announcements or events! You can also stay on our GIS Newsletter elist to continue hearing about job opportunities! Of course, if you want to reach out individually, you can email our Data Lab team at DataLab-Support@elist.tufts.edu or reach out to Carolyn Talmadge via email.
Learn More
Leaving Tufts? | Technology Services
Congrats and happy mapping!