Bentley's Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment (IR&P) aids the University in understanding itself and its external environment. The office promotes strategic thinking, data-driven decision making and policy formulation within the organization through the systematic collection, objective analysis and regular dissemination of reliable information.
IR&P formulates a research agenda for the institution and conducts studies to advance that agenda. It gathers and analyzes data to inform policies related to student recruitment, financial assistance and admissions and to measure student attitudes, satisfaction and retention. It also provides internal consulting services to other departments of the University to elevate the standards and the utility of research initiatives undertaken elsewhere in the institution.
Finally, it coordinates information reporting to federal and state agencies, and to professional and regional accrediting bodies; and responds to external requests for information about the University from college guide books and other such publications.