About

The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (OIRE) builds upon a decades-long tradition of excellence in providing decision support at Miami University. A centralized institutional research function was developed within the Office of Budget, Planning, and Analysis in the mid-1980s and was reorganized into the Office of Institutional Research in 2004. The office was renamed as OIRE in 2019 with the appointment of a new Assistant Provost for Institutional Research and Effectiveness and the addition of responsibilities for student learning outcomes assessment, Higher Learning Commission accreditation, academic program review, and non-academic program review within Academic Affairs. OIRE works collaboratively across academic and administrative divisions at Miami to promote and ensure optimal decision making; fulfillment of the University’s mission, vision, and strategies; continuous improvement; and accountability.

OIRE contributes to Miami University’s mission through facilitating institutional effectiveness by means of the following activities:

  • providing access to timely, accurate and actionable information to institutional leaders, the University community, and to external organizations;
  • proactively working with constituents to delve into the meaning of Miami data and transform them into information and action;
  • providing analysis, research, and evaluation needed by decision makers;
  • working with colleagues to maintain and improve strong data integrity and governance;
  • providing leadership and support for effective, meaningful, and manageable processes of student learning assessment and program review;
  • maintaining compliance with requirements of the Higher Learning Commission and collaborating across the University with colleagues to maintain compliance with disciplinary accreditation agencies and other regulatory bodies; and
  • providing professional development and documentation concerning all areas of OIRE’s responsibilities.

Examples of OIRE’s activities include:

  • completing mandatory and voluntary reporting to organizations such as the U.S. Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the Higher Learning Commission, and college guidebook agencies; 
  • responding to a large number of internal and external ad hoc information and consultation requests;
  • meeting with colleagues across the University to provide advice and support for intentional and integrated assurance of student learning;
  • maintaining and improving systematic projects such as the University Fact Book, the Common Data Set, The First Destinations Survey, and numerous surveys and other projects;
  • working with colleagues to maintain and improve the OBIEE business intelligence tool and begin to establish a robust self-service data visualization capability using Tableau;
  • serving as members and providing support for numerous committees and working groups;
  • working with the Academic Applications Technology Specialist to maintain and improve the Faculty 180 faculty activity reporting system;
  • providing oversight and support to colleagues in academic departments and divisions, the Academic Program Review Committee, and colleagues in Academic Affairs Administrative units for program review; and
  • providing consultation, coordination, and oversight of administrative surveys across the University.