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Higher Education Arts Data Services (HEADS) Project

Higher Education Arts Data Services (HEADS) Data Surveys

2023-2024 HEADS Data Survey

NAST is pleased to announce the opening of the 2023-2024 NAST HEADS Data Survey (Annual Report Form) for data entry. As a reminder, HEADS collects and disseminates data related to a number of areas such as enrollment, degrees offered, operational budgets, faculty salaries, ethnic breakdown of faculty and students, and the like.

The 2023-2024 data collection period will be open through November 30, 2024 at which time the survey instrument will be closed for data entry.

Please note that the current redesign returns the survey instrument to a single rather than multi-sectioned document, and therefore, once the HEADS Data Survey has been completed, users will be prompted to submit the entire form as a single entry. In addition, having successfully completed and submitted the Survey, a copy of the entire HEADS Data Survey will be provided directly to the Primary Institutional Representative of the institution. We are pleased to return these two helpful features to the HEADS Data Survey submission process.

In addition, returning participants will observe that the newly amended system maintains the HEADS Data Survey in its original form and function. The information requested and general layout remain the same; the “look” of the HEADS Data Survey has been refreshed.

The following information is provided to assist participants as they begin the submission process.

2023-2024 Survey Access

During the week of August, 19, 2024, the NAST HEADS Data Survey was delivered to designated Institutional Representatives via email. This email included a link enabling users to 1) access the survey instrument online, 2) enter data, and 2) submit the HEADS Data Survey as a single document. Recall please that the association’s data management system is being redesigned as well. NAST is in the process of moving from a FileMaker to a Salesforce platform. The HEADS Data Survey, its data, and the associated HEADS Navigable Dashboards will be incorporated into the Salesforce platform. Therefore, a separate log in and password, and the need to enter a separate HEADS system are no longer necessary. Please note that your email invitation to participate is addressed specifically to your institution. For this reason, we suggest that care be taken to maintain the institution’s information as confidential.

2024-2025 HEADS Data Survey

The 2024-2025 NAST HEADS Data Survey will be available for access November 1, 2024. As a reminder, HEADS collects and disseminates data related to a number of areas such as enrollment, degrees offered, operational budgets, faculty salaries, ethnic breakdown of faculty and students, and the like.

The 2024-2025 data collection period will be open through January 1, 2025 at which time the survey instrument will be closed for data entry.

Please note that the current redesign returns the survey instrument to a single rather than multi-sectioned document, and therefore, once the HEADS Data Survey has been completed, users will be prompted to submit the entire form as a single entry. In addition, having successfully completed and submitted the Survey, a copy of the entire HEADS Data Survey will be provided directly to the Primary Institutional Representative of the institution. We are pleased to return these two helpful features to the HEADS Data Survey submission process.

In addition, returning participants will observe that the newly amended system maintains the HEADS Data Survey in its original form and function. The information requested and general layout remain the same; the “look” of the HEADS Data Survey has been refreshed.

The following information is provided to assist participants as they begin the submission process.

2024-2025 Survey Access

On or about November 1, 2024, the NAST HEADS Data Survey will be delivered to designated Institutional Representatives via email. This email will include a link which will enable users to 1) access the survey instrument online, 2) enter data, and 2) submit the HEADS Data Survey as a single document. Recall please that the association’s data management system is being redesigned as well. NAST is in the process of moving from a FileMaker to a Salesforce platform. The HEADS Data Survey, its data, and the associated HEADS Navigable Dashboards will be incorporated into the Salesforce platform. Therefore, a separate log in and password, and the need to enter a separate HEADS system are no longer necessary. Please note that your email invitation to participate is addressed specifically to your institution. For this reason, we suggest that care be taken to maintain the institution’s information as confidential.

Changes to Data Reporters

This redesign, like the one previous, offers functional gains and losses. Please note that it is no longer possible to assign specific sections of the Data Survey to other individuals at the institution (formerly referred to as “Data Reporters”). Access to the HEADS Data Survey and its data is “all or nothing”. You may provide access to others, but please note that such individuals will have full and complete access to all the institution’s data. Institutional Representatives may wish to consider this important feature when assigning permissions (if any).

Assistance

NAST has prepared and offers several helpful tools to facilitate completion of the HEADS Data Survey:

As always, the HEADS staff stands ready to provide assistance at your convenience.

Membership Requirements

For institutions conducting comprehensive reviews, please remember to include (as required) a copy of the institution’s 2023-2024 NAST HEADS Data Survey in either the institution’s Self-Study or Optional Response to the Visitors’ Report. Also, please note that submission of the HEADS Data Survey is a requirement of NAST accredited institutional membership (see NAST Handbook 2023-24, Rules of Practice and Procedure, Part II., Article III., Section 1.A.).

Feedback

We ask please for your feedback. Should users note issues with the survey instrument and/or the data collection process, we ask please that you inform the HEADS staff promptly at (703) 437-0700, ext. 128 or via e-mail at nhamme@arts-accredit.org.

2024-2025 HEADS Data Survey

It is anticipated that the 2024-2025 NAST HEADS Data Survey will be released for data entry on November 1, 2024. The 2024-2025 NAST HEADS Data Survey will close on January 31, 2025 – returning the project to its original sequence of timelines and deadlines. Availability of 2024-2025 data in the form of navigable dashboards is expected during the spring of 2025.

Appreciation

NAST extends to each of you deepest appreciation for your patience offered as we have worked to relaunch the HEADS platform. Thank you for the enduring support you have offered during each step in the process. We are grateful. We hope you will take full advantage of the HEADS system.

Thank you.