The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) serves Rice University by providing information and sound research about its students, faculty, staff and programs in order to enhance decision making, problem solving, strategic planning, policy review, and institutional assessment.

Purpose

Established in 1994, OIR serves an essential role - that of being the official source of information to Rice about itself. 

This organizational intelligence function reflects the demand for increasingly sophisticated analytical support as higher education institutions operate in progressively more dynamic and competitive environments.

OIR uses a significant amount of time, resources and human capital in conducting detailed analyses and research about issues, policies and other items of interest and need for Rice.  Both Rice-specific and peer institutional comparative analyses are conducted.  National, state and consortial studies are performed.  Further, OIR provides facts and figures to the Rice community through its electronic publication, responds to information requests on wide-ranging topics, and coordinates standard institutional reporting to Federal and state agencies.

Annually, 15 to 20 major survey and research projects are conducted (in addition to annual reporting), and as many as 200 topics for data are researched.  Services are institution-wide, and OIR works with Rice's schools, colleges, campus committees and associations, and administration.  Assistance and consulting are always in the offering to both the internal and external Rice community.  Collaborative activities with campus colleagues and leadership roles in state, regional and national professional associations complete the information-sharing activities of OIR.