Office of Institutional Research records

The Office of Institutional Research and Data Administration collects data for and about Northeastern University. Overseen by the Office of the Provost, the statistics the Office compiles are used to analyze and improve the institution as a whole, in order to better benefit students, faculty, alumni, staff and the outside community. Prior to being called the Office of Institutional Research and Data Administration, or OIR, the Office went through several name changes. From the years 1959-1961, it was referred to simply as the Research Office. Then in 1961, under the auspices of Dean Martin W. Essigmann, overseer of Electronics Research Project (ERP), it expanded and absorbed the Research Office to become the Office of Research Administration until 1971. At that time, the main objective of the office was to assist faculty and staff with contracts and grants. From 1971-1987, it was renamed the Office of Institutional Research, and, from 1988-1992, it was the Office of Marketing and Institutional Research and Planning. In 1992, Director of Marketing and Institutional Research, Marjorie E. Wiseman, felt that name did not properly reflect the full scope of responsibilities the office held, therefore petitioned for the name to be changed back to the Office of Institutional Research. Throughout all of the name alterations, the Office has consistently created the University's Fact Books, Fact Sheets, and many other statistical publications which reference many aspects of Northeastern University. Today the office continues to gather data in order to better improve the University.