ChatGPT SJSU FAQ

Since the announcement of this initiative, SJSU IT has received inquiries from our campus community. These are some of the most frequently asked questions.

Who gets access to ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is available to current SJSU students, faculty, and staff. 

How do I get access to ChatGPT?
SJSU students, faculty, and staff may access ChatGPT by going to one.sjsu.edu and clicking on the ChatGPT tile.

How do Alumni, Auxiliary Employees, or Continuing Education Students and Faculty get access?
At this time, access to ChatGPT Edu through the CSU agreement is not available for these groups. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is working with OpenAI to assess potential options. 

How long can I access ChatGPT?  
The CSU Chancellor’s Office has signed an 18-month (February 2025 - July 2026) contract for ChatGPT with an option to extend the agreement. 

Will I have the same capabilities as my current ChatGPT paid account?
Yes, and more!  The Edu plan includes unlimited access to GPT-4o, advanced capabilities like data analytics, web browsing, document summarization, the ability to build and share custom GPTs, higher message limits, support for over 50 languages, and robust security and administrative controls. 

ChatGPT Edu users will also have access to a GPT-4.5 research preview. With a broader knowledge base, GPT-4.5 demonstrates higher emotional intelligence and a better understanding of intent, resulting in more intuitive, natural conversations. GPT-4.5 offers improvements in writing, programming, and practical problem-solving with your team. During the research preview, each user will be limited to 50 messages per week.

Can I use ChatGPT for my student coursework?
Everyone is encouraged to review the AI Writer’s Toolbox, which was built in collaboration between Writing Center Staff and Faculty and provides a detailed outline on AI Ethical Use in the classroom.

If you are still unsure after reviewing the documentation, check with your professor.

If I have an existing ChatGPT account with my sjsu.edu email, can I be excluded from migrating to the new contract?
If you have an existing ChatGPT account with a sjsu.edu email address, you cannot opt out. You must take action to migrate your data or start fresh with the new CSU ChatGPT license.

What are my options if I have an existing ChatGPT account with my sjsu.edu email address?
After our campus enables the ChatGPT Edu platform, the next time you login to ChatGPT, you will be prompted to decide how you want to transition your existing workspace. To preserve your existing work (e.g., past conversations and GPTs), there are important steps you must take before April 18, 2025. 

• Transfer your current data into the new ChatGPT Edu account.

  • After the new accounts are provisioned on April 18, 2025, and once you login, you will be provided a pop up screen to transfer your history.

• To prepare for the migration, the following actions are recommended before April 18, 2025.

  • Document any custom GPTs you have created. You will be prompted to migrate those custom GPTs to the Edu workspace during the activation process, but some features and data may not migrate and will need to be recreated. 

    It is also recommended that you export your chat history and maintain a copy for your records.

• Move your data to a non-SJSU ChatGPT account.

  • If you wish to use ChatGPT for non-university business (Plus, Team, or Pro plan), before April 18, 2025 you must:

    Create a new ChatGPT account and subscription using a non-SJSU email address.

    If you have chat history you would like to preserve, you must export your chat history.

    If you have Custom GPTs you would like to preserve, you must manually recreate your Custom GPTs.

• If I choose to not migrate, can I import my chats later?

  • No. ChatGPT does not currently have the ability to import chats into an existing ChatGPT account.

If you have questions about the technical steps to migrate, export, or move your data to a new account, please contact the SJSU IT Service Desk.

If I have a paid ChatGPT account with my SJSU, will I get a credit?
As part of this migration, your paid account will receive a prorated refund.  

What if I have a personal ChatGPT account (not SJSU email)?
There is no impact to personal ChatGPT accounts.

Do I get to keep my data that I create in the CSU ChatGPT account when I leave SJSU?
No. As of now, there is no option for migrating data out of ChatGPT Edu. Once your account is no longer eligible, you will lose access to ChatGPT Edu.

Does the CSU currently have an AI Policy specific to the use of ChatGPT Edu?
There is currently no formal CSU AI policy related to ChatGPT Edu.

What will SJSU do to align with CSU AI policy?
SJSU will align with the CSU's AI policy when it comes out.  There is currently no policy related to ChatGPT at this time. SJSU and the CSU Chancellor’s Office recommend that our campus community follow current procedures, processes, recommendations, and guidelines for AI use as posted on the CSU AI Commons website.

In addition, the SJSU community is encouraged to review the AI Writer’s Toolbox, which was built in collaboration between Writing Center Staff and Faculty and provides a detailed outline on AI Ethical Use in the classroom.

Will my information be used to train AI models? 
No. The CSU’s agreement with OpenAI includes language that ensures your ChatGPT interactions and data are not used to train their underlying large language models or improve their services. 

Can I create custom GPTs? 
Yes, the ChatGPT Edu plan allows institutions to build custom GPTs tailored to specific courses or administrative functions, which can be shared within campus workspace to enhance learning and operational efficiency. Custom GPTs require use of the GPT-4o model. 
 
How will SJSU leverage the API connections (API billing) of ChatGPT Edu?
We are awaiting more information from the Chancellor’s Office. OpenAI provides this breakdown of API Billing.

Do the API connectors include access to applications and data within San Jose State?
No.  Not at this time.

Is my data safe?  How does OpenAI ensure data privacy and security for educational institutions? 
One of the benefits of an enterprise agreement is that OpenAI commits to data privacy and security by ensuring that conversations and data are not used to train their models. The Edu plan includes commercial data protection features like SAML SSO, domain verification, custom data retention windows, SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, and data encryption at rest and in transit. 

What happens to my data after the CSU Chancellor's Office's contract with OpenAI ends in July 2026?
Data continuity at the end of the contract has not been defined at this time.