School of Public Affairs and Administration Launches NJ DataBank
The School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) at Rutgers University-Newark is proud to announce the launch of the NJ DataBank – a free website with data from a wide array of sources presented in a user-friendly manner with visuals and comparisons. Dr. Marc Holzer, founding Dean of SPAA, invites all citizens, the media and politicians to visit the site and access data in areas of interest. According to Holzer, “Our overall goal is to promote evidence-based policy and decision making. The NJ DataBank was developed in the belief that information sharing, collaboration and open dialogue – across geography and disciplines – are key to the advancement of people, the quality of community life and the sustainability of our shared environment.”
Who – NJ DataBank is useful to all NJ stakeholders including interested citizens, public servants, community advocates, non-profits, students, urban and suburban planners, elected officials, the media, etc.
What – NJ DataBank is a website that features data in 20 policy areas. Features include:
- Municipal profiles
- County comparisons
- Rankings of how New Jersey compares nationally
- Links to key data sources and relevant databases
- New Jersey reports and analysis
- Contacts for Rutgers policy area experts
Why – NJ DataBank provides one location for data about New Jersey with links for relevant analysis, research and reporting.
When – NJ DataBank is a regularly updated website available 24/7.
Where – NJ DataBank is located here: http://njdatabank.newark.rutgers.edu
Features of NJ DataBank
NJ DataBank is an easily accessible modern resource. Its features include:
- Breadth of data: NJ DataBank presents data in 20 key policy areas at the state, county and municipal level. Policy areas include: business, civic engagement and energy, culture, diversity, economic conditions, education, elections, environment, food and agriculture, global connections, government, health, housing, justice, labor, population, public safety, technology, transportation and urban issues.
- Ease of Use: Users can access information to compare, measure and improve their communities.
- Visual representations: NJ Databank’s attractive graphs and maps bring data to life, enabling citizens to quickly and easily see comparisons.
- Additional resources: Each of NJ DataBank’s policy areas contains links to expert faculty analyses and reports with current data and policy issues.
- Policy area expertise: SPAA’s distinguished faculty of 27 core full-time faculty members, as well as centers and institutes throughout Rutgers, make available the latest data sources and research that support the 20 policy areas.
- Community input: NJ DataBank is working with nonprofit and community groups to ensure that the website has the data that New Jersey’s stakeholders need to understand their communities and assess policy impact.
Examples of the ways NJ DataBank can be used:
a. Data on the “housing burden” and “commute-to-work times” can help local governments, realtors and neighbors identify locations for affordable housing.
b. Data on civic engagement can help citizens and officials better focus efforts ranging from voter registration drives to building community centers.
c. Data on occupations and salaries by county can help college students and job seekers target prospects throughout the state.
d. Comparative data on municipalities’ size, budget and services can help town officials and residents determine where efficiencies might be feasible.
About the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers-Newark
The School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) is a leader in government and nonprofit management and governance. It is ranked 7th nationally in public management and administration. SPAA promotes an ethics-based performance approach to effective, equitable and accountable policy implementation. SPAA believes that providing quality data in a readable format to citizens is an essential starting point for good governance.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Marc Holzer, PhD Stephanie Hoopes Halpin, PhD
Dean and Board of Governors Professor Assistant Professor and Director, NJ Databank
mholzer@rutgers.edu hoopes.halpin@rutgers.edu
973-353-5268/5505 973-452-4982