Data Glossaries

Which Glossary Should I Use?

Select the resource that most closely matches your data or reporting need.

• Looking for an existing BU business definition?
  Go to the BU Data Catalog and Business Glossary
• Working with identity or demographic terminology?
  Go to Governed Identity Data
• Working with student or academic reporting data?
  Go to Academic Data Warehouse resources
• Working with financial or administrative reporting data?
  Go to Business Warehouse glossaries
• Working with federal IPEDS reporting?
  Go to the IPEDS Glossary
• Working with admissions or institutional benchmarking data?
  Go to Common Data Set definitions
• Aligning education terminology across systems?
  Go to Common Education Data Standards
• Working with registrar, enrollment, or credential terminology?
  Go to the AACRAO Higher Education Glossary

Recommended starting point

BU Data Catalog and Business Glossary

BU’s central resource for governed business terms, data assets, ownership,
stewardship information, and related metadata.

Best for:
Finding an existing BU definition, understanding its institutional
context, and identifying related data assets or data roles.

Open the BU Data Catalog and Business Glossary

Back to the glossary guide

Governed Identity Data: Diversity and Inclusion

BU-approved standards for collecting, defining, and using
identity-related data.

Best for:
Identity, demographic, diversity, and inclusion terminology, including
race and ethnicity, sex and gender identity, sexual orientation, and
pronouns.

View Governed Identity Data

Back to the glossary guide

Academic Data Warehouse

Definitions, documentation, and reference materials supporting student,
enrollment, academic, and institutional reporting.

Best for:
Admissions, registration, enrollment, course, faculty teaching,
financial aid, and other student lifecycle data.

View Academic Data Warehouse resources

Back to the glossary guide

Business Warehouse

Data glossaries and dictionaries defining variables, characteristics,
and key figures used in BUworks Business Warehouse reports.

Best for:
Financial, human resources, grants management, funds management,
purchasing, and administrative reporting terminology.

View Business Warehouse data glossaries

Back to the glossary guide

IPEDS Glossary

Federal definitions used for Integrated Postsecondary Education Data
System reporting, including admissions, enrollment, completions,
finance, financial aid, and employees.

Best for:
Terms used in federal IPEDS reporting.

Open the IPEDS Glossary

Back to the glossary guide

Common Data Set Definitions

Definitions used in the annual Common Data Set completed by colleges and
universities. Consult the document associated with the applicable
reporting year.

Best for:
Admissions, enrollment, financial aid, academic offerings, student life,
and institutional comparison data.

Open the Common Data Set

Back to the glossary guide

Common Education Data Standards

A shared vocabulary and data model covering early learning, K-12,
postsecondary education, adult education, and workforce data.

Best for:
Aligning education terminology across systems, institutions, reporting
environments, and education sectors.

Open the CEDS Glossary

Back to the glossary guide

AACRAO Higher Education Glossary

Higher education terminology relevant to admissions, registration,
enrollment, academic records, credentials, transfer, and related
administrative practices.

Best for:
Registrar, enrollment management, academic records, transfer, and
credential terminology.

Open the AACRAO Higher Education Glossary

Back to the glossary guide

Using External Definitions

When creating or reviewing a BU data definition:

1. Search for an existing BU-approved definition first.
2. Consult the authoritative glossary associated with the applicable
   reporting or business context.
3. Record the source, reporting year, or version used.
4. Document any differences between the external definition and BU’s
   institutional use.
5. Confirm which definition applies when a term has multiple reporting
   contexts.