Data Lifecycle Management

Data Lifecycle Management (DLM) is a critical process that ensures data is handled effectively from its creation to its eventual deletion. Given the diverse and sensitive nature of data within Vassar College, a robust DLM strategy is essential.

Vassar generates vast amounts of data, including:

• Student Data: Admission, enrollment, academic records, financial aid, and personal information
• Faculty and Staff Data: Employment records, research data, and administrative information
• Financial Data: Tuition payments, donations, and institutional budgets
• Alumni Data: Contact information, donation history, and engagement records 

Managing Data Through Distinct Stages

Data Creation/Collection

This stage involves the initial gathering of data from various sources, such as student applications, online forms, and financial transactions.   

It's crucial to establish clear guidelines for data collection, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with privacy regulations.

Data Storage

Data must be stored securely and efficiently, considering factors like data sensitivity, accessibility, and retention requirements.   

Vassar is committed to providing appropriate data storage solutions, such as databases, cloud storage, and data warehouses, with robust security measures to protect College data.   

Data Use/Processing

This stage involves using data for various purposes, such as academic research, student advising, financial reporting, and administrative operations.

It's essential to ensure that data is used ethically and in accordance with privacy policies and regulations.

Data Maintenance

Data must be regularly updated, validated, and cleaned to maintain its accuracy and integrity.   

This stage involves tasks like data quality checks and data cleansing.

Data Sharing/Distribution

Data may need to be shared with authorized individuals or organizations, such as researchers, government agencies, or accreditation bodies.

It's crucial to establish secure data sharing protocols and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations.

Data Archiving

Data that is no longer actively used but needs to be retained for compliance or historical purposes should be archived.   

Archiving involves storing data in a secure and accessible manner, with appropriate retention policies.   

Data Destruction/Deletion

Data that is no longer needed should be securely deleted to minimize the risk of data breaches and ensure compliance with data retention policies.   

Secure data destruction methods should be used to prevent data recovery.