About IRDS

The Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support (IRDS) serves VCU by providing pertinent statistical analysis, institutional research, and data support to progress the university's strategic plan. IRDS supports the Office of the Provost and the broader VCU community by providing access to accurate, centralized data about the university and its peer institutions.

IRDS coordinates institutional mandatory reporting, organizes and shares access to university data, houses institutional research and survey data, provides training on data use and tools, and supports VCU's mission through strategic decision support.

News and updates from IRDS:

09/16/2025 — As VCU rolls into the fall semester, IRDS is taking the opportunity to look back on the work they did last year and what’s on the horizon for 2025-2026.

With VCU IT, IRDS is moving forward with HelioCampus, a data warehouse tool that will bring much-needed organization and governance to VCU’s data.
A new suite of data tools are now available to campus partners.
IRDS is working with LightCast to evaluate VCU’s economic role in order to provide greater support to its graduating students and communities it serves.

You can read more about this work and more in IRDS’ annual self-reflection: 2025: IRDS In Review