The following guidelines ensure full and appropriate use of Dartmouth’s institutional data assets. The goal is to maximize the benefit to Dartmouth as a whole without introducing unnecessary risk. Maximizing our data as an asset rests on four fundamental principles:
- Data originate in discreet business units and are managed by Data Stewards, but belong to the institution.
- Appropriate data sharing supports legitimate institutional interests and follows institutional standards.
- Data Stewards and Custodians have a responsibility to facilitate data sharing within Dartmouth College.
- Data Users have a responsibility to use the data appropriately.
In order to facilitate access to the data they manage, Data Stewards:
- identify, document, and share a process for requesting data
- respond to requests in a timely manner
- document data definitions and make them readily accessible to users
- provide training to users on accessing data and understanding what it represents
In order to use data appropriately, Data Users:
- articulate their need for access to data
- learn the data definitions provided by the Data Steward
- know the risk level of the data they are handling
- receive, share, and store the data according to applicable guidelines in Dartmouth policies and/or user agreements received with the data
- limit use of the data to the articulated and approved need