Introduction

The Centre for Institutional Analysis and Planning (CIAP) is responsible for collecting, analysing, and disseminating information in support of academic planning and the development of units reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), together with other administrative areas that its expertise may assist. CIAP's collection of information is governed by the need for meaningful quantitative and qualitative measures of important features of the University's environment and performance. Analysis is guided by the need of the University to understand how it is employing its resources and can direct these resources towards institutional solutions and opportunities. The dissemination of information is expressed in regular publications and special reports for internal use and submission to government agencies.

Mission, Vision, and Values

Founded in 1995, the Centre for Institutional Analysis and Planning holds the following mission, vision, and values:

Mission:             

The mission for CIAP is to ensure that University decision-makers possess reliable, meaningful, timely, and accurate information in support of the academic mission and pursuit of institutional strategy and transparency.

Vision: 

CIAP will be a trusted, nimble, and responsive catalyst for excellent decision-making at Memorial University by providing quality information with a pan-institutional perspective.

Values:

Diligence: We ensure that the information we are providing is of the utmost quality, focusing on methodological rigour and attention to detail.

Responsibility: We acknowledge our responsibility as custodians to protect the integrity of data, the privacy of individuals ,and the reputation of the institution. We take pride in our work and hold ourselves accountable to our clients, our team members ,and our University by honouring our commitments.

Continuous Improvement: We build individual and organisational capabilities through strengthening existing competencies and developing competencies in emerging areas.

Professionalism and Integrity: We apply the highest standards of excellence in our conduct and performance. We act with honesty and commit to the truth.

Responsiveness: We ensure information is provided in a timely manner to decision-makers and other stakeholders.

Curiosity: We constantly monitor the internal and external environments to understand and project trends, seeking to gain a deeper understanding of information.  We question conventional wisdom and practice. 

 

Core Activities

The Centre for Institutional Analysis and Planning (CIAP) is responsible for the collection, analysis and dissemination of information in support of academic planning and the development of units reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), together with other administrative areas that may be assisted by its expertise.

CIAP’s collection of information is governed by the need for meaningful quantitative measures of important features of the University’s environment and performance. In fulfillment of this need, it:

  • receives or gathers data on matters of strategic importance to the University, including enrolments and registrations, high school participation rates, faculty workloads, academic-unit expenditures, and research achievement and funding
  • translates these data into useful information
  • develops comparative data from institutions of similar size and composition
  • provides baseline statistical information and historical comparisons
  • conducts environment scans to advise the University about educational trends
  • serves as the University’s principal agent for surveys of students, staff and alumni

Analysis is guided by the need of the University to understand how it is employing its resources and can direct these resources towards institutional problems and opportunities. In this capacity, CIAP:

  • conducts special studies, both as requested by the administration and on its own initiative develops models, simulations, projections and forecasts
  • identifies the impact of policy alternatives and administrative decisions
  • acts as a resource for university committees

The dissemination of information is expressed in regular publications and special reports both for internal use and for submission to government agencies. The unit is responsible for:

  • preparing the Fact Book and Academic Unit Profiles
  • co-authoring other central reports as appropriate, including the annual research report
  • creating graphics and presentations to improve ease of comprehension
  • making information available on the CIAP web site, in printed publications and through seminars and workshops

Support for academic planning is provided by:

  • assisting the Vice-President (Academic) in the preparation of budgets
  • coordinating regular reviews of academic units and programs
  • developing agendas for the Academic Planning and Budget Committee
  • defining policy alternatives consistent with the information available
  • actively asking for responses to its reports in particulars that enable these reports to serve as catalysts for changing policies and procedures