Why Numbers Can Help You: A Data Advocacy Sheet

by J. Scott Van Der Meid, Brandeis University

Do you actively use your study abroad data for planning or advocacy? How can you use data on your own campus to further the interests of the study abroad area? Below are some suggested areas where the use of data might help to further your cause.

Working Definitions

Planning
Data can be used in assessing the goals, expectations and needs of the study abroad area, and whether they are being met.

Advocacy
Taking that plan and using the data to support the goals, needs and expectations which your office requires to do the job well.

Campus Cooperation

We all come from different institutional types, but we strive to work together, creating a supportive network throughout the campus community.

Use of data to show the need for collaboration with various campus units to facilitate international exchange

process credits (Admissions, Registrar, Deans, Advisors, etc.)
residency implications (Residence Life)
disciplinary clearance (Dean of Students)
registration (Registrar)
financial aid

Setting and tracking progress towards university/division goals

use of data to show accomplishments of your program
develop press releases based on study abroad data collected
ensuring that real data is used for rebuttal or to question prejudices

Scholarship and other support

doing your part to contribute to the databank that national organizations [i.e. Fulbright, Foreign Language and Area Study Programs (FLAS), National Security Education Program (NSEP)] use to justify funding requests

Recruitment/ admissions issues

Retention/ graduation rate (Are students who study abroad more likely to finish their degree?)

Financial Aid & Budgets

Data assists in the understanding of the impact financial aid has on study abroad.

Data warrants expanded allocation at multiple levels.

How much money does study abroad generate for the university?

Marketing

Helps articulate what areas need more support from a marketing perspective

Certain programs to highlight
Regions of the world that are underrepresented
Certain majors not pursued abroad

Solidifies the areas that have solid interest/support

Academic areas could thus be diversified
Programs that don't need heavy promotion
Ability to analyze what makes a program solid

Physical Space

Justifies expansion or acquisition of space

Programming

Inquiry data can show trends from your student body:

Where do students go?
What type of programs are most interesting to your students?
Which majors go abroad and which ones do not?
What areas of the globe do you need to educate students about?

Data can help show areas for program development & sponsorship:

Where should a new program be developed?
Are there particular academic depts seeking more study abroad options?
Have certain geographical areas/ academic interests changed over the past few years? Ideas why?
What student groups/ academic programs are underrepresented in study abroad?

Staffing

Quantifies need for:

expanding staff to support student participation growth & additional administration support
retaining staff during budget shortages
reallocating staff within the institution and/or office to meet current demand on the study abroad office/ section

Technology

Encourages use of technology. Developing a good tracking mechanism itself spills over into the creation of various communication networks (data bases, web, email, etc.).