To GIS or not to GIS? GIS is a powerful tool to convey a concept or to analyze a problem spatially. GIS ArcView 9 is installed in the Davis Educational Foundation Electronic-Research Classroom in Miller Library, the Eco Cluster in Olin, and in several departmental labs across the campus.

Each faculty member should determine, for each project, whether GIS is appropriate. The main criterion would be whether GIS provides the ability to pose a question or questions, and to provide meaningful analysis in a way not readily possible by other means. It's especially important when using GIS that the research question drives the use of the software and not the other way around. In other words, beware of the gee-whiz phenomenon. See this description of GIS to help you decide.

Contact Manny Gimond (Academic ITS), Philip Nyhus (ES), Suzi Cole (Science Library) for more help.

Consortial Resources: Maine GIS Consortium is composed of a number of private and state schools benefiting from consortial activities. Please contact  Academic ITS first about Consortium resources.

NITLE - The National Institute for Technology and Liberal Education was established through a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, to serve as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration for national liberal arts colleges as they seek to make effective use of technology. NITLE offers a broad array of resources to support faculty interested in GIS.