The Institutional Research Office was founded in 1969-1970 and was combined with the former Budget Office into the Budget and Planning Office in 1981. Comprising a Director, an Assistant Director, and a clerical staff, the Institutional Research Office was responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating technical and general information about the life and work of Sangamon State University with particular emphasis on faculty and staff utilization and unit costs. In addition, the office conducted specialized studies on a wide variety of topics both for internal use by administrative offices and academic programs and for external agencies. Currently, this department now falls under the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. This department complies data that helps inform the University’s decision-making process across the campuses. They collect, analyze, interpret, and then disseminate the data to the needed departments to help with planning, assessment, and compliance reporting.