Data Governance Committee - UTDPP1123

Policy Statement

The Data Governance Committee (DGC) is a University-wide Standing Committee appointed by the President not reporting to the Academic Senate of The University of Texas at Dallas.

The purpose of this policy is to institutionalize the data democratization efforts within the University's existing shared governance model by formalizing a working group of data stewards. The Committee is responsible for implementing the university data governance program as required by Texas Government Code § 2054.137.

The Committee is charged with developing an institutional data catalog, maintaining a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (i.e., RACI) used to clarify roles in relation to data management, and overseeing process improvement initiatives to build a strong culture of access, literacy, quality, protection, and informed decision-making for university data assets. The Committee may develop subcommittees or working groups of data stewards to inventory data assets within the scope of the governance charter and review associated security policies, access control processes, storage, and data classifications. The DGC will conduct a biennial data maturity assessment of the university data governance program consistent with guidance and best practices established by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) to identify areas for improvement and measure progress.

The President appoints a Data Management Officer (DMO) as required by Senate Bill 475, 87th Legislature, 2021. The Assistant Vice President for Institutional Success Technology in the Office of Institutional Success and Decision Support (OISDS) serves as the university's DMO and shall chair the Committee. The Senior Director for Digital Transformation in the Office of Information Technology (OIT) shall be vice chair. The Committee's membership will be composed of data leads across campus units involved in information management. Appointees must have a strong understanding of the data needs, challenges, and issues in their area.

Representatives from the shared governance bodies and from each university office or department listed below will receive one vote. Offices or departments with multiple representatives on the committee must identify their voting representative before the first committee meeting of each academic year. To hold a vote, a simple majority of voting members (51% or more) must be present. The members shall be appointed by the President or the President's designee and will include:

• one faculty member nominated by the Academic Senate;
• one member of the leadership of the Academic Senate;
• one member nominated by the Staff Council;
• one undergraduate student nominated by Student Government;
• one graduate student nominated by the Graduate Student Assembly
• and representatives from individuals, university offices, departments, or committees with relevant expertise or interest, including but not limited to:
  • Director of Assessment, Division of Student Affairs
  • Associate Director and Deputy Chief Information Security Office, Information Security Office
  • Director, International Students and Scholars Office, International Center
  • Assistant Provost for Admissions and Enrollment, Office of Admission and Enrollment
  • Audit Manager, Office of Audit and Consulting Services
  • Director of Financial Management Services, Office of Budget and Finance
  • Senior Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting, Office of Budget and Finance
  • Senior Director of Financial Services, Office of Budget and Finance
  • Director of Data Services, Office of Development and Alumni Relations
  • Space Inventory Specialist, Office of Facilities and Economic Development
  • Senior Director of Financial Aid, Office of Financial Aid
  • Assistant Dean of Graduate Education, Office of Graduate Education
  • HRIS Manager, Office of Human Resources
  • Senior Director, Academic and Administrative Systems Development, Office of Information Technology
  • Senior Director, Identity Governance and Digital Transformation Support Services, Office of Information Technology
  • Assistant Director of Institutional Reporting and Analytics, Office of Institutional Success and Decision Support
  • Associate Director of Institutional Research and Analytics, Office of Institutional Success and Decision Support
  • Director of Data Warehouse, Office of Institutional Success and Decision Support
  • Senior Director of Institutional Reporting and Analytics, Office of Institutional Success and Decision Support
  • Business Manager, Office of Legal Affairs
  • Associate Provost for Administration, Office of the Provost
  • Assistant Vice President for Research Data and Information Systems, Office of Research and Innovation
  • Director of Human Subjects Research, Office of Research and Innovation
  • University Registrar, Office of the Registrar
  • Senior Associate Dean, Office of Undergraduate Education

The Advisory Committee on Research chair, Information Technology, Planning, and Policy Committee chair, and the Eugene McDermott Library Assistant Library Director for Public Services will serve as ex officio, non-voting members of the committee.

The term of office for appointed Committee members shall be for two years, effective September 1 to August 31, and members may be reappointed by the President for additional terms. If for any reason a Committee member resigns, the President shall appoint another individual to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. The Vice President and Chief of Staff shall serve as the Responsible University Office for this committee.

The Committee Chair will provide two annual presentations: (a) once at a standing quarterly meeting of the President's Cabinet, Executive Leadership Team and Deans, and (b) once to the Audit Committee. Additionally, the Committee will provide annual written progress reports to the President, Executive Leadership Team, Academic Deans, Academic Senate, Staff Council, and Audit Committee. The annual progress report will include a summary of the presentations and subsequent discussions.

Related Policies and Statutes

Texas Government Code Section 2054.137
Texas Administrative Code 202 (TAC 202)
University of Texas System 165 (UTS-165)