1. Clemson University Interactive Fact Book
South Carolina Association for Institutional Research
January 28-29, 2019
Greenville, SC
Juan Xu
Joe McLaughlin
Melissa Welborn
Ronnie Chrestman

2. Overview Background Standing on the Giants’ Shoulders
Considerations for the New Fact Book
Retention and Graduation
Data Preparation
The Reports
A Demo
Discussions and Future Improvements

3. Background Purchase of Tableau Server
Decision to Present Fact Book Using Tableau
Vendor Solution and User Feedback
What did it look like from the Vendor? (from Tableau Server or a picture)
Major Feedbacks: Trend and student profile for a specific year combined in one page, overwhelming, difficult to navigate
The Decision to Make
Continue with the Vendor (Pros and Cons)
Self-Reliance (Pros and Cons)
Communication, Communication, and Communication!

4. Standing on the Giants’ Shoulders
What we have
Aggregated data tables – ideal for fact book
An introduction of the data tables in My SQL server
Existing “fact book” using PHP programming (sample page)
Draft tableau fact book – TOC design, established links to my SQL database, ready-set data calculations and value labels
Similar products from peers
Community of Tableau Learners

5. Standing on the Giants’ Shoulders (Cont.)
What we need to have
Revised Presentation
Longitudinal overview
Retention/Graduation
Improved Navigation
Data Definition
Bottom line: Building on the team’s experiences and strength

6. Considerations for the New Fact Book
Design stage
Accuracy
Consistency
Flexibility
KISS
Systematic Updates
FERPA
Posting: Tableau Server or Tableau Public

7. Retention and Graduation
Background
Data preparation
Data Source - Student Enroll and Completions files that had been previously submitted to the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Over 49,000 records of entering students
Fall 2009-Fall 2018 including Spring Terms
Over 290,000 student returning records
Over 33,000 graduation records

8. Retention and Graduation-Cont.
What do we track?
1st Year to 2nd Year Retention
2nd Year to 3rd Year Retention
2-Year Graduation Rate
3-Year Graduation Rate
4-Year Graduation Rate
5-Year Graduation Rate
6-Year graduation Rate

9. Retention and Graduation-Cont.
Comparison Data
First Time Freshmen
Under Represented Minorities vs. Non-Under Represented Minorities
In-State vs. Out-of-State
First Generation College vs. Non-First Generation College
Transfer Students
South Carolina Technical College Transfers vs. Non-South Carolina College Transfers
Bridge Students vs. Non-Bridge Students
College Level
Department Level

10. Retention and Graduation-Cont.
The Report
Key Features
Limited Parameters
Institutional
Flexibility
Rate and Cohort Numbers

11. A Demo Key Features Continuous Improvement Navigation to Main Page
Reset Filters
Uses Both Tables and Graphs
Treatment of Small Cells
Continuous Improvement

12. Discussions and Thoughts about Future Improvements
Mask Small Cells?
Future Considerations:
Profile on Employee Reports
A Different Look for Table of Content?
Inclusion of Financial Information
Acknowledgements:
The Whole IR Team
Support from Other Departments
Peer Institutions

13. Director, Office for Institutional Research
Questions?
Thanks!
Contact information:
Juan Xu, PhD
Director, Office for Institutional Research
Clemson University
(864)