Frequently Asked Questions

Data governance provides a necessary framework that is crucial to the effective use and protection of the university’s data assets. Data, if governed correctly, has business value to the university that can be leveraged for multiple different business use cases. 

Having a robust data governance framework:

• Ensures actionable data leads to valid analytical insights
• Mitigates risks related to unauthorized data access or incorrect reporting
• Provides consistency in analysis 
• Coordinates and prioritizes data related projects across the university
• Serves as a forum for innovation and a champion for maximizing the value of university data

Data governance is a well established business process across many industries, including higher education, with well tested formal structures and best practices.

Current university data governance practices are not always clear to end users, adding unexpected hurdles for end users trying to use and understand university data or release data to external parties. A stronger data governance framework will reduce common pain points found when gathering, using, and releasing university data.

UIS is the department with the primary responsibility to secure the university’s data and set overall university technology strategy. But, data governance is larger than just one department. Georgetown has many different sources of data, and through the Data Governance Advisory Committee, all departments that are significant users or creators of university data will have a platform to shape university wide decisions regarding data governance. UIS is an equal partner in these endeavors.

OADS is the core institutional research and assessment office of Georgetown, and its mission is to promote the use of data analytics to advance the mission of the University. As such, OADS has the responsibility to advocate for the right data systems, governance, methods, communication tools that will tell a more complete story and enable decision makers to better respond to stakeholder needs. OADS is an equal partner in the data governance ecosystem at Georgetown, with the goal of highlighting the implications of data governance on downstream university reporting and analytics.

The Data Governance Advisory Committee (DGAC) will identify and monitor metrics and outcomes through the development and implementation of our data governance framework. Initially these metrics will focus on engagement and participation of staff in the effort and will shift to metrics that monitor data completeness, integrity, and security. The DGAC will report progress to the Georgetown community every six months.

Visit our Contact Us page for how to get in touch.

The work of the institutional Data Governance Advisory Committee is designed to guide Georgetown to solutions that protect and leverage our data for the greater good of the university and its mission. The committee will help determine strategy and set priorities concerning Georgetown’s data assets

The Data Governance Advisory Committee is a university-wide, system independent committee that helps determine overall strategy and priorities for all university data assets. This approach differs from GMS Core Team meetings that help sequence the priority of GMS related requests. It also differs from groups like SASCO by focusing not only on the strategy behind the acquisition or combination of data systems, but also the overall integrity of the data in all university systems and interoperability and common data definitions between systems.

We welcome your participation in the Data Governance Committee from all areas of the University. Contact us about serving in one of various available roles. Even if you are not a member of the committee itself, you can serve in one of several Task Forces. Contact us for more information.

Visit our Contact Us page for contact information.