{"id":6,"date":"2025-03-24T14:14:22","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T14:14:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/?page_id=6"},"modified":"2026-07-29T18:22:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T18:22:58","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- Inserted by Dropdownizer plugin. Forces video embeds contained in dropdowns to have a size --><style>.dropdownizer__dropdown iframe { width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; }<\/style>\n<p class=\"has-charcoal-color has-text-color has-link-color has-intro-font-size wp-elements-ac3f346859f5004bfaeda38a4b3e571b wp-block-paragraph\">Data Governance establishes policies and processes to manage and protect institutional data. It ensures data quality, security, and compliance with regulations while enabling effective decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Governance at Vassar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vassar College is committed to actively managing data governance alongside the implementation of data management best practices to ensure data integrity, security, and effective utilization across the institution. This dedication aims to empower informed decision-making, streamline operations, and uphold the highest standards of data stewardship in support of Vassar's educational mission. This is a shared responsibility among our campus coordinated through CIS, Institutional Research, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/data-advisory-group\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"33\">Data Advisory Group<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Core Principles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Data governance is the framework we use to manage and protect our information.&nbsp; It's built on several core principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Accountability<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transparency<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Integrity<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Compliance<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"813\" height=\"813\" src=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2025\/04\/core-principles.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2025\/04\/core-principles.jpg 813w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2025\/04\/core-principles-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2025\/04\/core-principles-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2025\/04\/core-principles-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2025\/04\/core-principles-220x220.jpg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 813px) 100vw, 813px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Elements of the Framework<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns cols-3-lg is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Quality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ensuring data is accurate, consistent, and fit for purpose.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Security<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protecting data with robust access controls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Stewardship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Responsible management of data assets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns cols-3-lg is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Metadata Management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Provides standardized descriptions for data discovery and usage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Policies and Processes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Establishes guidelines for data handling and responsibilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regulatory Compliance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ensuring data handling complies with laws like FERPA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Governance Policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A data governance policy establishes a framework for managing data assets across an organization, defining roles, responsibilities, processes, and standards for data creation, storage, access, and use.&nbsp; At Vassar College, our data governance policy is essential for ensuring the integrity, security, and appropriate use of our institutional data. This policy helps us protect sensitive information, comply with relevant regulations (like FERPA), promote data-driven decision-making, and foster a culture of data responsibility across the College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/go.vassar.edu\/policy\/datagov\">Data Governance Policy \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Classification and Data Handling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A data classification policy establishes a system for categorizing data based on its sensitivity and the potential impact of its unauthorized disclosure or modification.<sup> <\/sup>&nbsp;At Vassar College, this policy is crucial because it provides a structured approach to protecting our diverse data assets, which range from student records and financial information to research data and fundraising dashboards. By classifying data according to its level of sensitivity, the policy enables us to implement appropriate security controls and access restrictions, ensuring compliance with regulations like FERPA and safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Vassar's information. This, in turn, helps maintain the trust of our students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/go.vassar.edu\/policy\/dataclass\">Data Classification Policy \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vassar\u2019s Business Data Types, a specific, business-relevant grouping of information based on its content, function, or subject matter, are reviewed and managed by our Business Data Stewards. Each of these Business Data Types, across each data domain at the College, are assigned a Classification based on the Data Classification Policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1yaIB4g3V9ns3H3KM475z2RYC3E1iDix1coUq80OTHe0\/edit?usp=sharing\">Business Data Types \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following Vassar\u2019s data handling guidelines is essential for mitigating the risk of data leaks and security breaches, which could often originate internally. By using only College-owned or College-licensed, protected environments for storage, employees ensure that sensitive information\u2014such as student identities\u2014remains secure and is not exposed through unsecured devices or personal machines. Additionally, adhering to these protocols, such as saving files in Google Drive rather than on local machines, protects critical data from being lost due to theft, hardware failure, or other unforeseen events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1vB6mhXqMgT0AMkEWg_jg2cKMMHzBBgSCzskFUJyiKOU\/edit?usp=sharing\">Data Handling Guidelines \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data Governance establishes policies and processes to manage and protect institutional data. It ensures data quality, security, and compliance with regulations while enabling effective decision-making. Data Governance at Vassar Vassar College is committed to actively managing data governance alongside the implementation of data management best practices to ensure data integrity, security, and effective utilization across [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":57,"parent":0,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":259,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions\/259"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/data-governance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}