Research is conducted at the college using uniform Districtwide data elements sustained by the Information Technology department. Comprehensive research is not performed at the District; however, standardized data and reporting structures are agreed upon through the District's Institutional Research Advisory Committee (IRAC) [formally Institutional Research Committee]. IRAC is charged with supporting District and college decision-making in the areas of enrollment management, planning, academic program review, performance and outcomes assessment, accreditation, and organizational development. IRAC functions include coordination of research activities, developing, evaluating and regularly distributing basic community demographic information and performance indicators through the VCCCD-supported online reports; and assisting to ensure correct and complete MIS data collection and submission to the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. .

In addition, the Chancellor's appointed chair of the District Council of Accreditation and Planning (DCAP) is responsible for providing requests to IRAC in support of DCAP's authorized functions and activities.

The Colleges are responsible for the development and assessment of student learning outcomes and service unit outcomes in accordance with accreditation standards. Although each College has developed its own process and schedule for the development and the assessment of course, program and institution-level student learning outcomes, a common method for tracking data on the progress made is maintained by IRAC members. The Colleges are also responsible for developing and evaluating the data elements called for through their site-specific program review models.

Chair: Associate Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Co-Chair: College Institutional Researcher or Manager
Members: Vice Chancellor, Educational Services; Director of Software Applications and Development; Senior Programmer Analyst (1); Data Analyst (1 DAC); College Manager involved with Institutional Research (1 per college); College Institutional Research Staff (up to 3 per college);
Others as determined by the Chancellor

Typically, the committee meets monthly.

2020 Calendar of Meetings

Date Time Location Documents
January 9  8:30 am DAC Lakin Boardroom Agenda | Notes
February 13    Canceled  
March 12    Canceled Agenda
April 9  8:30 am DAC Lakin Boardroom Agenda | Notes
May 14  8:30 am DAC Lakin Boardroom Agenda | Notes
June 11  8:30 am DAC Lakin Boardroom Agenda | Notes 
July 9  8:30 am DAC Lakin Boardroom Agenda | Notes
August 13  8:30 am DAC Lakin Boardroom Agenda| Notes
September 10  8:30 am DAC Lakin Boardroom Agenda | Notes
October 8  8:30 am DAC Lakin Boardroom    Agenda | Notes 
November 12  8:30 am DAC Lakin Boardroom Agenda | Notes
December 10  8:30 am DAC Lakin Boardroom Agenda | Notes

Archive:

2019:  Jan., Feb., March, April, May, June, Aug., Sept., Oct.
2018:  Jan., Feb., March, April, May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Nov., Dec.
2017: Jan., Feb., April, May, June, July, Sept., Oct., Nov.
2016: Feb., March, April, May, June, July, Oct., Nov.
2015:Jan., Feb., March, April, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
2014: Feb., March, April, May, July, Oct., Nov., Dec.
2013: Jan. 9, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb., March, April, May, Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
2012: Jan., Feb., March, April, May, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.