UWM has systems in place to collect, analyze, and use organizational data. The 1996 strategic plan, the PAR process, the Milwaukee Idea, the Investment Plan—all of the planning activities outlined in this chapter have been informed by institutional data, which has also been used, to varying degrees, to track their implementation. The strategic plan formed the basis of school/college/division assessments in the annual budget planning processes in 1997-98 through 1999-2000. The Investment Plan, adopted in 2000, underwent a midpoint evaluation in 2003. The results of the midpoint evaluation have been used in planning for the 2004-05 budget. In the area of campus climate, the Task Force on the Status of Women has followed up on its 2001 report with three progress reports indicating action on the recommendations. The accomplishments of the Milwaukee Idea are described annually in the Report to the Milwaukee Community. In the PAR process, departmental data on scholarly productivity and extramural funding helped identify programs that either met quality expectations or needed further attention. Several programs were identified as needing attention to maintain program strength and were provided with additional funds, primarily for faculty. Members of the Black and Gold Commission, the Task Force on Race and Ethnicity, and the Enrollment Management initiative also drew on institutional data in their work. The Phase II of the Milwaukee Commitment report has assessment indicators embedded throughout the plan to ensure accountability.

The UW System Office of Policy Analysis and Research is a data resource for UWM as well. The office develops and publishes research briefs on topical areas such as enrollment trends, student retention and outcomes, faculty workload, compensation and pay equity, and multicultural student success. The office compiles annual accountability reports from each campus in the System. Our annual submission, “Achieving Excellence at UWM,” provides data on issues such as providing access for Wisconsin citizens, support services that facilitate student academic success, providing a campus environment that fosters learning and personal growth, and utilizing resources in an efficient and effective manner:

This report is part of an overall effort by the UW System to express a commitment to self-assessment. The goals and measures presented are intended to provide a description of the many ways in which UW–Milwaukee is achieving excellence. For each goal, there is one measure that is common to all UW institutions. These common measures reflect the mission of the UW System as a whole. In addition to the common measures, UW–Milwaukee has selected several supplementary measures that are reflective of its specific institutional mission and values. These unique campus-specific measures are useful as a means of providing context to the performance on the system-wide measures.