The NIRSA Institutional Data Set is a powerful online benchmarking tool that provides NIRSA members access to current and relevant data about collegiate recreation facilities, programs, and services.

There are currently five categories of data collected:

• Institutional Details
• Programs & Services
• Participation
• Facilities
• Operations

NIRSA began annually collecting aggregate data as the Institutional Data Set in 2011. The Institutional Data Set transitioned to a new and improved online platform in early 2016. Data entry for the 2014-2015 academic year is now open.  Question by question comparisons are now available and full results capabilities, including personalized dynamic reports, will become available soon.

All professional members can now login to the platform and enter data on their institution directly in the platform. Data is automatically saved within the platform, so different members with different expertise can access and enter data at different times. A minimum 50% of survey questions about an institution must be answered before members from that institution can access results capabilities when they become available.

Most of the content within your institution’s data set will remain in the Institutional Data Set from year to year. Institutions will be asked to review and update their data annually. Additionally, public data on your institution or in your institution’s NIRSA member profile has been be pre-populated, making the collection of complete data sets for each institution a more manageable endeavor.

Full access to the Institutional Data Set, including easy comparisons, filtering, and personalized reporting functions, is a benefit for NIRSA members (professional and student) at member institutions. Members at nonmember institutions are now able to input their institutional data and will be able to try out limited reporting features of the new platform.

It was becoming clear that the quantity and frequency of surveys being conducted by both NIRSA members and the NIRSA Headquarters was creating “survey fatigue” amongst members. Additionally, it was evident that a need to better communicate information in aggregate about all NIRSA member institutions was present. The creation of this data set should serve as a step forward in making data more accessible to all members.

The Institutional Data Set allows you to instantly access data to answer questions about other institutions, or to compare programs similar in size and scope. By having access to this type of information, this tool should help reduce the quantity and length of surveys conducted in the field of campus recreation, while also limiting the frequency of information requests currently experienced by many professionals.

Members are able to set query data on hundreds of institutions, set parameters around the data you want to see and filter out unnecessary information.

The Research and Assessment Committee has established an intentional, strategic schedule of data collection moving forward. Please see the NIRSA Research Schedule for details on project descriptions and timelines.

Comments, questions, and feedback can be directed to NIRSA Membership.