Questions

What is IRPA and what does it do?
Why combine these three departments?
How does assessment fit in? It doesn't seem to be mentioned on the website.
What is the review process for Institutional Research projects?
Where can I find data on enrollment, graduation, and other statistics about students?
When is the Fact Book usually released?
What is the Common Data Set?
Where can I learn about submitting an Alteration and Renovation request to Space Planning?

Questions & Answers

What is IRPA and what does it do?
IRPA is a division that reports to the Executive Vice President and incorporates Institutional Research, Space Planning, and Administrative Program Review. All three areas use data for decision-making and long-range planning. Institutional Research collects and disseminates institutional data to support managers in their decision-making. Space Planning records and manages the use of all building space on campus. Administrative Program Review conducts cyclical assessments of individual departments.

Why combine these three departments?
Although they have been newly combined at Boston College, institutional research, space planning, and program review co-exist at various other higher education institutions, particularly at those institutions with a strong emphasis on strategic planning. All three areas are highly dependent on the development of detailed, accurate databases and are involved in long-range planning on the university, school, and department level.

How does assessment fit in? It doesn't seem to be mentioned on the website.
In some ways, assessment is a global term that describes all three areas. For example, assessment techniques are used in institutional research for evaluation of various programs; in space planning, the space needs of various clients are regularly assessed; and individual departments will undergo strategic planning and assessment as part of their program review.

What is the review process for Institutional Research projects?
All projects are reviewed and directed by a Steering Committee comprised of the Executive Vice President and the University Provost.

Where can I find data on enrollment, graduation, and other statistics about students?
The Boston College Fact Book provides a comprehensive set of tables detailing enrollments by school and discipline, degrees conferred, and related information. If you do not find the data you need in the Fact Book, contact IRPA for help.

When is the Fact Book usually released?
Expect both the print and online editions of the Fact Book to be released in January each year. Previous years' copies of the Fact Book are available both online and in print.

What is the Common Data Set?
The Common Data Set (CDS) is the result of a collaborative effort among higher education institutions and publishers of college guides led by the College Board, Thomson Peterson's, and U.S. News & World Report. The goal is to improve the quality, accuracy, and standardization of information provided to students and their families, as well as to reduce the reporting burden on colleges and universities. The information that colleges and universities voluntarily report in their CDS includes items pertaining to enrollment, completions, admissions, faculty, financial aid, costs, services, and student life.

How do I submit an Alteration and Renovation request to Space Planning?
You can learn more about A&Rs here.