Research Services
In all research efforts, WAICU seeks input from its members and coordinates required filings to assure federal and state compliance and information security. We also provide additional data review aimed at enhanced accuracy.
The primary filings on which we work are discussed below.
IPEDS
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing education data, primarily through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). WAICU was the first association in the United States to be designated as the state-wide IPEDS coordinator for the private, nonprofit sector.
WAICU reviews member filings to expedite filings, address any anomalies present in filings, and alert members to errors in or possible clarifications for responses.
WAICU’s coordinating role has four primary benefits:
- Our members have an unequaled reputation for the quality and timeliness of their data.
- Members can enhance strategic planning by using the data compilation, aggregation, and analyses we provide.
- WAICU’s effective and efficient handling of these responsibilities has been a major argument in our successful opposition to the establishment of an agency overseeing postsecondary education in Wisconsin and the surrender of members’ data to such an agency or other institutions.
- Our role with IPEDS positioned us to lead the LDS (discussed below).
WAICU interacts with NCES IPEDS staff to stay abreast of issues and changes, which we convey to members annually.
LDS
A Longitudinal Data Survey (LDS) collects data over a period of time. WAICU and many of its members participate in an LDS effort, allowing for long-term views of educational issues. Participation by WAICU members is voluntary, though most participate. Under Wisconsin law, presidents of member institutions can opt-in or opt-out of the WAICU LDS at any time; presidents alone decide if their data is to be included in any research using LDS data. We collect information from participants through meticulously secure procedures to develop a database that may assist future research efforts on different educational and workforce issues.
In Wisconsin, an LDS is being built to track Wisconsin public PK-12 students through their higher education. Wisconsin has four interoperable LDSs—WAICU, UW, WTCS, and K-12. The WAICU Board (the presidents) has directed WAICU to act as the sole representative of WAICU-member institutions in this federally mandated and federally funded effort, a partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), the University of Wisconsin System (UW), and the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).
Again, under Wisconsin law, WAICU will be the sole owner and controller of the WAICU LDS. The WAICU LDS has been deemed compliant with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
WAICU works with all participating WAICU colleges and universities annually to aggregate data, maintain confidentiality, and expedite the submittal of information. WAICU also works in partnership with the UW, WTCS, and K-12 LDSs to assure privacy protections and interoperability.
WAICU – Xello Partnership
WAICU is dedicated to continually enhancing student access to postsecondary education pathways. Xello is a dynamic online platform aimed at assisting middle and high school students in expanding their knowledge, exploring postsecondary options, and preparing for college and/or career endeavors through personalized, actionable plans. Facilitated by a statewide contract established between Xello and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) starting in 2019, students in all Wisconsin public schools now possess individualized accounts via their schools.
Since 2022, WAICU has undertaken the role of intermediary between Xello and the 22 Wisconsin private, nonprofit colleges and universities. We collect the most up-to-date list of academic majors offered at our member institutions, alongside their respective award levels, and share this information with Xello on an annual basis. The goal of this initiative is to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of all available academic options during their college search through Xello, thereby facilitating informed decision-making regarding their educational and career pursuits.
Wisconsin Grant Allocation Formula
Under Wisconsin law, every year, WAICU makes recommendations to HEAB on the formula used for allocating WG awards to WAICU-sector students. WAICU works with HEAB to run simulations of proposed formulaic changes to determine potential impacts on WG amounts and distributions. These simulations allow WAICU to consult with our financial aid directors while developing recommendations for formula changes, which HEAB has consistently adopted.
Making the Case for WAICU Members and WAICU Policies
WAICU’s research staff collects, aggregates, analyzes, monitors, and researches data on educational issues so information is available to support our advocacy efforts on behalf of WAICU-member colleges and their students. WAICU works with many at the state capitol and in Washington, D.C., and having current, relevant information about WAICU colleges and universities and their students bolsters our efforts to articulate the success, effectiveness, and diversity of its members.
WAICU goes beyond IPEDS by conducting the annual WAICU Institutional survey, WAICU Tuition and Fee survey, as well as some ad-hoc surveys to obtain data points that address issues of importance that cannot be gleaned from IPEDS or other sources. WAICU uses these results to respond to members of Congress, the state legislature, and others to advocate for our members.