The mission of institutional research (IR), as the designated office of official data reporting and analysis for Saint Martin's University, is to provide decision and planning support services to enhance institutional effectiveness.

The IR Office encourages and supports employees and external parties in utilizing institutional data (which includes both quantitative and qualitative data) to:
- Inform decision-making
- Improve the quality of business operations in support of the University’s mission
- Support new initiatives

It is important to note that the IR Office has institutional priorities and deadlines. The highest priority items are:
- Required compliance external reporting; including federal, state and accreditation agencies
- Requests for the Board of Trustees, cabinet members, committee representatives and other institutional planning purposes
- Department and program requests for assessment purposes, program review and grant applications