Representatives of three higher education associations gathered early this year to discuss ways to promote the use of data analytics at the nation’s colleges and universities.
The result was a “a collective call-to-action” recently put forth in a joint announcement this week.
As defined by the three groups, analytics is the use of data, statistical analysis and explanatory and predictive models to gain insight and act on complex issues.
“Data are an institutional strategic asset and should be used as such,” the joint statement asserted, calling upon institutions to take advantage of the technological benefits. “We should be moving aggressively forward to harness the power of these new tools for the success of our institutions and our students.
However, so far, higher education has failed to follow talk with decisive action.”
The organizations, which in total serve nearly 2,500 institutions representing more than 20 million students, are the Association for Institutional Research (AIR), the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and EDUCAUSE, an organization focused on advancing higher education through the use of information technology.
Dr. Susan Whealler Johnston, president and CEO of NACUBO, told Diverse that analytics can “ensure that once students are recruited . . . that they’re not hitting stumbling blocks.”
