Office of Policy Analysis & Research
The Office of Policy Analysis and Research (OPAR) supports systemwide planning, policy development, and evaluation through research and analysis. The office collects data and disseminates statistical reports for internal and external use.
OPAR develops and publishes many reports. One such publication takes a quick look at Higher Education facts which compare the UW System with both national data and, where available, with our neighboring state of Minnesota. OPAR develops and publishes reports entitled "Informational Memoranda" and "Profiles/Bulletins" which cover such topics as:
- Enrollment Trend
- Enrollments by Family Income
- Degree Attainment
- Financial Aid
- Multicultural/Disadvantage Precollege Programming
- Retention and Graduation
- Transfer Students
- UW Alumni in Wisconsin
Additionally, OPAR publishes "Student Statistical Reports" which are designed to answer general questions about UW System students, including:
- Degrees Conferred
- Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Enrollment
- Headcount Enrollment
OPAR supports a wide range of research and evaluation activities
in partnership with other units within UW System Administration. This includes
preparing legislatively mandated reports and fulfilling Board
of Regents ' reporting and accountability
requirements.
OPAR acquires data through the management of the Central Data Request. The CDR is a systemwide data collection effort involving a wide variety of areas including admissions, student enrollment, financial aid, and curricular activity.
OPAR is also responsible for disseminating information to state and federal agencies and other external organizations and is liaison to federal agencies concerned with data collection and reporting.
1534 Van Hise Hall
1220 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-6441
(608) 265-3175 fax
opar@uwsa.edu