Data is a strategic asset for the University of Illinois System. These data offer insights into the efficiency of our operations and the effectiveness of our programs and services; and the data are also critical in responding to state and federal requirements and requests. In order to realize the full value of our data, we need to integrate it across the system, share it safely and appropriately, and use it to tell accurate and compelling stories.

Our Principles are:

• We understand that institutional data are system-wide assets, and that these assets shall be protected and leveraged to benefit all stakeholders.​
• We will emphasize trust, accountability, and inclusion in the use of data by protecting data as a critical asset with inherent and real value, while providing access to data as much as safely possible to support innovation and efficiency of university operations.​
• There is real value in institutional data, and we will ensure accurate and quality data is available and accessible to members of the system and general public as appropriate.
• We will educate and be transparent about the data we collect, how it will be protected, and the appropriate and effective use of the data.​
• We recognize that there is inherent risk in retaining or making data available, and we commit to understanding the level of risk involved, deliberately accepting a specified level of risk for each set of data and manage the risk we agree to accept as a liability. ​
• Data and content are not viewed as temporary means to achieve results (or merely as a business-by-product), but are critical to successful, ongoing management and continuous process improvement.