The objective of this paper is to identify common essential information and data needs of colleges and universities and to suggest a model to integrate these data needs into one office or department. The paper suggests there are five major data and information foundations that are essential to the effective functioning of an institution: (a) accreditation support; (b) analytical reporting; (c) assessment; (d) data management and reporting; and (e) planning and scanning. Additionally, this paper presents the top five tasks within each of the five major foundations and offers insight on methods and best practices to organize and accomplish these tasks. The paper is not designed to provide an in-depth coverage of each data foundation. The following are appended: (1) Committee Report--Gap Analysis/Audit of Standards for Regional Accreditation; and (2) Accreditation Status Update. [For "Conducting Focus Groups with College Students: Strategies to Ensure Success. Professional File. Number 127, Fall 2012," see ED573089.]