Version: 1.0.0-draft-b
Last Revised: September 23, 2020

[ DRAFT NOTE - Q3-2020 - The NSPA believes that the charter for the Data Standard Initiative should be drafted in consultation with…the charter members. We’ll post working drafts of the charter in this page, and ratify the charter as part of the first group meeting. ]

Overview

This section outlines the charter for the NSPA Data Standards Initiative.

Objectives

• Define and standardize the scholarship program data model and data elements available to the NSPA membership and the broader scholarship community.

• Develop efficient methods for the exchange of scholarship data.

• Simplify implementations of scholarship information systems, particularly searching, matching, and reporting systems.

• Support the scholarship space in establishing sensitive, inclusive language to describe characteristics of the students we serve.

Members

The Data Standards Initiative members are subject matter experts in scholarship data and information exchange.

Current invitees to the Charter Meeting include representatives from the following organizations:

• Ascendium

• AwardSpring

• Blackbaud

• Campus Logic

• Cappex

• Columbus Foundation

• Foundant

• ISTS

• Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

• Scholarship America

• The College Board

• Universities Canada

• WizeHive

• UNCF

[ DRAFT NOTE - Q3-2020 - We’ll refine to represent the actual attendee list. We’re also happy to remove organizations by request, either in advance or following the Charter Meeting. ]

Organization

NSPA Data Standards Steering Committee

[ DRAFT NOTE - Q3-2020 - We propose the constitution of a “committee,” analogous to a standards governing body or senior advisory group. This group provides both programmatic subject matter expertise as well as technology expertise. Significantly, deep technology expertise is not required of the committee members.

Members are, ideally, in a technology leadership or program leadership role, in their respective organizations and programs. The function is to:

• Advise the NSPA what efforts make sense to host under the NSPA

• Prioritize activity

• Provide technology direction and programmatic feedback on issues ]

Technology Working Group

[ DRAFT NOTE - Q3-2020 - We propose the constitution of at least one “working group.” This group consists of the technologists and data analysts that advise on the concrete technical specifications and data definitions. Significantly, this group is focused on providing input on technical and implementation matters — though writing specifications, defining data schema, or other concrete technical contributions are not a requirement for participation.

For the 2020–2021 cycle, the Dell Foundation and NSPA are providing the resources to do the technical work on the NSPA Exchange standard. This same group MAY be able to take on or start relatively lightweight additional standards. If the Data Standards Committee unearths a high-priority initiative not covered by existing resources, this group can at a minimum scout out additional resources and coordinate efforts. ]

Ad Hoc Working Groups

[ DRAFT NOTE - Q3-2020 - From time to time, we expect it will be useful to convene ad hoc working groups focused on a particular topic. These will be constituted by volunteers who have expertise to offer or concerns about implementation details in a particular area. An NSPA Coordinator will officially constitute an ad hoc group. Informal groups may, of course, be formed outside of the NSPA purview.

For example, the current data model development backlog includes additional support for Canadian programs, international & study-abroad programs, program outcomes, and other thorny topics. Presuming interest and availability from initiative participants, these are areas where contributions from a small group with particular expertise will make for a better standard. ]

Process

Meetings

• Initiative meetings will be called by the NSPA Coordinator.

• An Annual Meeting of the Steering Committee will be held during or around the time of the NSPA Conference.

• Secondary meetings of the Steering Committee may be called quarterly as indicated by current activity and member availability.

• Technology Working Group meetings will generally be held around the time of Steering Committee meetings, with ad-hoc, optional-attendance meetings held as needed.

• Most meetings will be held virtually, even in normal times. Members may participate “live” or provide written input in advance of a meeting, though live attendance is strongly encouraged at the Annual Meeting.

Connection to NSPA

• The NSPA Coordinator will ensure that the NSPA Board and NSPA Membership at large are kept aware of the doings of the NSPA Data Standards Initiative.