Spatial Computing Lab
The Geography and Environmental Studies (GES) Spatial Computing Lab (SCL) is located in Room 106, in Bandelier East Hall (which is building number 008 on the main campus map) and if needed can be contact via phone at (505) 277-5001.
For the Fall 2026 semester, the spatial computing lab's operating hours are: Monday 9am to 5:45pm, Tuesday 9am to 6pm, Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 6:30pm, Friday 9am to 6:30pm and Saturday from 2pm to 6:30pm. Please note that on Saturdays the lab is only accessible via the main buildings East door entrance as the main buildings North entrance is locked/secured (to ensure better security of the main building).
There are general use/open lab hours availability each day the lab is open that are designated in Green on its availability schedule which can be viewed/downloaded by clicking here (.pdf). In addition, while utilizing the lab, in order to ensure the health and safety of the labs numerous users we request that all lab patrons adhere to the labs usage guidelines which can be viewed by clicking here (.pdf).
For the Fall 2026 semester the lab will be closed on the below listed days:
Holiday: Labor Day (Monday September 7th, 2026)
Holiday: Thanksgiving (Thursday June 26th through Saturday June 28th, 2026)
Holiday: Winter Break (Wednesday December 23rd, 2026 through Saturday January 2nd, 2027)
Do you need assistance with completing your GIS coursework or help with utilizing the GIS software in the lab?
If so, then help is available to you throughout the Spring and Fall semesters. All you need to do is come into the lab during it's open availability hours (which are designated as Blue/Green on the labs schedule) during the TA/GA's office hours that are hosted in the lab as designated below.
Fall 2026 TA/GA In Lab Office Hours
Katie Slack: Monday 1:00pm to 2:00pm & Thursday 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Carl Sanfilipo: Monday 12:00pm to 1:00pm & Tuesday 12:15pm to 1:15pm
Westin Guthrie: Wednesday 12:00pm to 1:00pm & Friday 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Augustus Guikema "Gus": Monday 10:45am to 11:45am & Wednesday 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Cheryn Vigil: Friday 11:30am to 1:30pm
Davian Thompson: Tuesday 10am to 11am & Thursday 10am to 11am
Juna Keehn: Tuesday 8:30am to 9:30am & Thursday 8:30am to 9:30am
Lucy Malaud-Roam: Tuesdays 5pm to 6pm & Thursdays 5pm to 6pm
Desiree Loggins: Friday 2pm to 4pm
In addition to using the lab on campus you can also access a majority of our lab systems software applications through UNM's remote environment called LoboVirtualDesktop.
The use of LoboVirtualDesktop (https://lobovirtualdesktop.unm.edu/) allows you twenty-four hour, secure access to UNM computer applications from your personal computer or other web-enabled devices. Which for the use of you do not need to install the applications on your personal device, and you do not need to own specialized hardware.
In order to use the virtual desktop, you must have internet access and utilize the program called Omnissa Horizon Client to access it. In addition, to get the best performance you will need to use a high speed internet connection. If you are using a lower-speed connection you may experience significant delays when using many of Lobo Virtual Desktop applications. It also needs to be mentioned that if you are using a Macintosh computer, some of LoboVirtualDesktop applications may not function correctly. To setup your computer to use LoboVirtualDesktop please refer to the LoboVirtualDesktop website resource (which includes with the required program download link and the connection server setting) here.
Once you have successfully connected to our departments designated Lobo Virtual Desktop environment it will enable you to run common and specialized software used for GIS related work, such as: Adobe Creative Cloud suite's of programs, Mircosoft Office's suite of programs, ArcGIS Pro 3.6, TerrSet LiberaGIS, ENVI 6.2, R, R Studio, QGIS, Anaconda, Python, MultiSpec, PyScripter and Visual Studio Code, all with very minimal setup. With that said, though it should be mentioned that due to licensing requirements/restrictions some specific types of GIS software (i.e., GeoCart 3 & GoldSim) they can only be accessed/utilized from physically within the lab on one of its systems.
In addition, it is important to know that when using the remote environment make sure to save your finished work by uploading it OneDrive via LoboMail! Otherwise your work will be lost as soon as you log out of the remote environment!
To gain access to the GES department's remote environment (if you don't already have access to it automatically) please email your instructor/TA requesting to be granted access to it or email the Spatial Computing Lab's manager directly requesting it. After which once you have been granted access to the remote environment you'll be able to conduct your GIS coursework needed remotely in place of doing it physically inside the lab.
The usage of the GoldSim software in the lab each year is graciously donated for academic use by GoldSim Simulation Software.
