Academic Planning and Analysis
Academic Planning and Analysis (APA) collects, analyzes, disseminates, and presents information designed to aid planning, decision-making, and policy formation at CMU. APA reports to a broad spectrum of constituents, including academic departments and colleges, government agencies, and accrediting bodies.
In general, analyses are focused upon students, faculty, courses, and programs at the University. APA serves an integral role in the administration of surveys for institutional study, referred to as survey research.
Background
APA is defined as "the sum total of all activities directed at describing the full spectrum of functions (educational, administrative, and support) occurring within a college or university. Institutional research activities examine those functions in their broadest definitions, and embrace data collection and analytical strategies in support of decision making at the institution," (Middaugh, Trusheim, and Bauer, 1994).
The "full spectrum of functions" includes, but is not limited to general data collection and reporting, enrollment and retention management, inter-institutional peer analyses, assessment, and budget support. If you are interested in exploring APA reports and data, you can begin with the link to related sites that are listed on the navigation menu.
References: Middaugh, M. F. Trusheim, D. W., and K. W. Bauer. 1994. Strategies for the Practice of Institutional Research: Concepts, Resources, and Applications. A publication of The Association for Institutional Research, Florida State University, Tallahassee.
Mission
The primary mission of APA is to collect, analyze, disseminate, and present internal and external data and information designed to aid planning, decision-making, and policy formulation at Central Michigan University.
The Office is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of vital University statistics, and for reporting these data to a broad spectrum of constituents, including academic departments and colleges, government agencies, and accrediting bodies. APA's analyses are focused upon information about students, faculty, courses, and programs at the University.
The Office is charged with the role of building an integrated database that incorporates university data from multiple sources in ways that maximally inform and advise university policy. A major function of the Office is to assist personnel in other units with proper design, implementation, and analysis of research and assessment efforts and to lend assistance with strategic and operational planning and other organizational improvement processes.
APA takes a leadership role in providing the steady flow of organized, contextual information required to properly pose and answer policy questions.