Joining the Chico State ChatGPT Edu Workspace

Quick Links: | Overview | Joining the Workspace | Existing Users: Migrating Data | Learning & Support Resources |

Overview

ChatGPT Edu is now available across the California State University (CSU) system, giving Chico State students, faculty, and staff access to powerful AI tools for education, research, and productivity.

ChatGPT Edu includes enhanced privacy protections, Single Sign-On (SSO) access, and the ability to create and share custom GPTs. This article will help new users activate their access, manage account transitions, and explore available resources.

ChatGPT Edu Eligibility

To access the Chico State ChatGPT Edu Workspace, you must be a current Chico State student, faculty, or staff member in a state-supported unit.

• Non-eligible groups include: 
  • Associated Students (AS) or Chico State Enterprises (CSE) staff
  • Retired or emeritus faculty and staff
  • Professional & Continuing Education (PCE) or alumni students
  • Volunteers, guests, or external consultants

Joining the Chico State Workspace

As of April 17, 2025, all Chico State users eligible for ChatGPT Edu have been provisioned access.
 
While you may have received an email from OpenAI, it’s no longer required to activate your account.

1. Go to ChatGPT.
2. Select the option to Log in.
3. Enter your Chico State email address.
   • If prompted for a login method, choose Chico SSO. 
   • Single Sign-on (SSO) is enforced in ChatGPT. You cannot sign in with Google, Microsoft, etc. You will be redirected to the Shibboleth page upon entering your Chico State email.
4. You will be redirected to the Chico State Shibboleth login.
5. Log in using your Chico State username and password.
6. Approve your login with Duo. 
7. You should now have access to the Chico State ChatGPT Edu Workspace.

Users who created a ChatGPT Account with their Chico State email before April 15, 2025, should follow the additional steps below. This will cover migrating or exporting existing data. Please review Options for Managing Your Data before making a decision. 

Existing Users: Managing Existing Data After Joining

1. When you log in with SSO for the first time, you will see a "You've been added to a ChatGPT Enterprise workspace" prompt.
   
2. Review the Options for Managing Your Data below, then choose whether to:
   • Transfer existing chat history and GPTs
   • Export and delete existing chat history
3. Once you have made a selection, your new ChatGPT Edu workspace will be set up.

Options for Managing Your Data

Transfer existing chat history and GPTs

• Recommended for users who primarily used this account for work.
• Combines your chat history, GPTs, and settings into the Chico State workspace.
• Your previous workspace will be permanently deleted.

Export and delete existing chat history

• Recommended for users who primarily used this account for personal purposes.
• Sends a downloadable archive of your chat history (GPTs and settings will not be saved).
• Your previous workspace will be permanently deleted after export.

Learning & Support Resources

Reading & Training Resources

• OpenAI Education Hub: Official resource center from OpenAI for educators and students.
• Introducing ChatGPT Edu: OpenAI’s announcement and feature breakdown for ChatGPT Edu.
• CSU AI Commons: CSU’s central site for AI resources, policies, and training.
• AI Courses for students, faculty, and staff: Self-paced AI training modules hosted by the CSU system.

Video Resources

• OpenAI, LLMs, & ChatGPT: Overview of large language models and ChatGPT’s capabilities.
• Introduction to Prompt Engineering: Learn how to write effective prompts to get better results.
• Introduction to GPTs: Explore how custom GPTs work and how to use them.
• ChatGPT Search: Learn how to refine your searches within ChatGPT.
• Advanced Prompt Engineering: Take your prompt skills to the next level with advanced strategies.

Chico State Resources

• ChatGPT Edu FAQ and Support Resources: Answers to common questions about ChatGPT Edu at Chico State.
• Chico State’s Guidelines for Responsible AI Use: Policies and best practices for using AI ethically at Chico State.
• IT Support Services (ITSS): Assistance with technical issues with ChatGPT Edu (log in, missing chats, etc.). 
• Center for Technology Equity (CTE): Offers training for using ChatGPT Edu (creating GPTs, developing chats, etc.). 

OpenAI Support

If you are still experiencing some issues, you may be able to contact OpenAI directly for support:

• Contact via Help Center
  • Log in to the ChatGPT Edu Workspace using your Chico State account.
  • Visit our Help Center and start a new chat (bottom right corner of the page).
• Contact via Email
  • Email OpenAI at ar@openai.com using your Chico State email.

 Still need help? Contact IT Support Services for further assistance.
  
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