Charles Miller, chairman of the federal higher education commission, is on target when he says there is a “serious records gap” on the country’s campuses. The commission’s endorsement of a national database that would track students’ performance throughout their academic careers – specifically, financial as well as transfer and graduation rates – is a positive step forward. Objecting that this system is “Orwellian” as it would violate student privacy is a red herring as students would not, and should not, be identified by name. To improve academic achievement and cost-effectiveness in higher education, we need accurate, accessible data. In its absence many universities can continue to cover up poor performance and financial waste.