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Records Retention Schedule


Purpose and Scope

This schedule provides General Guidelines for the retention and transfer (to the University Archives) of University records designated as archival, particularly those of permanent historical value. This policy is applicable to all departments of the University.

  1. General Administration Records
  2. Financial Records
  3. Physical Plant
  4. Development / Alumni Relations
  5. Affirmative Action
  6. Human Resources / Employee Relations
  7. Curriculum / Educational Records
  8. Student Records
  9. Student Life
  10. Grant, Contract, and Patent Administration
  11. Media Services
  12. Publications
  13. Special Programs and Events
  14. Faculty
  15. Faculty Archives (Personal)

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    I. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION RECORDS


    Committees
    e.g., Board of Trustees, University Aesthetics Committee, Brandeis 2000 Committee (including subcommittees), Community Relations Committee, University Committee on Disabilities, Conservation Committee, Handbook Adjudication Committee, Information Technology Council.

    Agendas, minutes, supporting documentation, reports. Transfer annually, in consultation with the University Archivist, one copy to the University Archives.

    Legal Opinions / Interpretations
    Records will be maintained indefinitely by the Office of the General Counsel.

    Strategic Planning Reports
    A copy of all reports and supporting documents will be sent to the Archives.

    Correspondence, Reports, Addresses
    A. President
    Review every 5 years, keeping and transferring to the Archives correspondence and other relevant records, e.g., presidential addresses, minutes and documents of the President's Cabinet, papers relating to policies, curriculum, development plans, reports received from schools and/or departments, reports submitted by the Board of Trustees.

    B. Provost
    Review, in consultation with the University Archivist, every 5 years, keeping and transferring to the Archives records of continuing value.

    C. Deans
    Review, in consultation with the University Archivist, every 5 years, keeping and transferring to the Archives records of continuing value.

    D. Department Heads
    Review, in consultation with the University Archivist, every 5 years, keeping and transferring to the Archives records of continuing value.

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    II. FINANCIAL RECORDS


    The official financial record is maintained by the Controller's Office.

    Audit Reports
    Keep permanently all relevant records. Transfer annually to the Archives reports of continuing value, e.g., annual report.

    Investment Records
    Transfer on a quarterly basis to the Archives one copy of the Endowment Pool Report.

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    III. PHYSICAL PLANT


    The official building records are maintained by Facilities Management.

    Master Planning / Space Planning
    Review, in consultation with the University Archivist, every 5 years, keeping and transferring to the Archives records of continuing value.

    Project Planning
    Transfer documentation to the Archives 1 year after job completion. Review pending or non-completed projects every 5 years.

    Blueprints / Drawings / Plans
    Maintained permanently in Facilities Management for each building until building is demolished; transfer to the Archives.

    Building Construction
    Records include correspondence, meeting minutes and reports, contracts. Transfer to the Archives 3 years after construction is completed.

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    IV. DEVELOPMENT / ALUMNI RELATIONS


    Gifts and Contribution Record
    The official development records are maintained permanently by Development Systems and Services.

    Alumni
    Alumni records are maintained permanently by Development Systems and Services.

    Transfer annually to the Archives materials such as reunion publications, recruitment announcements, newsletters, photographs, yearbooks for each class, Alumni Association meeting minutes, annual fund solicitation letters and brochures.

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    V. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION


    Transfer to the Archives annually reports such as Affirmative Action Community Review.

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    VI. HUMAN RESOURCES / EMPLOYEE RELATIONS


    Employment Records are maintained permanently by Human Resources / Employee Relations.

    Transfer annually to the Archives materials such as salary surveys; personnel policies and procedure handbooks; union contracts; senior management lists.

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    VII. CURRICULUM / EDUCATIONAL RECORDS


    Committees, e.g. , Academic Priorities Planning Committee, University Curriculum Committee, Faculty, Senate
    Transfer annually to the Archives, in consultation with the University Archivist, materials such as agendas, minutes, supporting documentation, reports pertaining to evaluations of internal operations, self-studies, accreditation, approved curriculum proposals, etc.

    Bulletins / Course Catalogs
    Transfer one copy to Archives.

    Student-rated Teaching Evaluations
    Transfer one copy of summary to the Archives.

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    VIII. STUDENT RECORDS


    Student educational records are defined as those records (any format) which contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by the University. The University's policy regarding appropriate access to student records is in compliance with the Family Educational and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

    Student Recruitment Publications
    Transfer one copy to the Archives.

    Admission Reports (summary information relating to student admission programs, e.g., number of new students, advanced placement, grade point averages summaries.)
    Transfer one copy to the Archives.

    Registration Statistics Reports (statistical analyses and reports relative to student enrollment and registration)
    Transfer one copy to the Archives.

    Financial Aid: Scholarships, Grants, Assistantships and Awards (includes published information regarding requirements for awards, aggregate information about awards granted)
    Transfer one copy of all published reports to the Archives.

    Committees, e.g., Committee on Academic Standing, Committee on Student Affairs
    Transfer annually, in consultation with the University Archivist, minutes, etc.

    Student Conduct Records
    Transfer one copy of the yearly summary to the Archives.

    Honors Theses; Dissertations
    Transfer one copy to the Archives.

    Commencement Programs
    Transfer one copy to the Archives.

    Individual Student Folders
    (May include such materials as application for admission and supporting documentation)
    Transfer, four years after graduation, in consultation with the University Archivist, to the Archives.

    Transcripts / Grade Rosters
    The official transcripts / grade rosters are maintained permanently by the Registrar's Office.

    IPEDS Reports
    Transfer annually one copy to the Archives.

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    IX. STUDENT LIFE


    Committees, e. g., Student Senate; Graduate Student Association
    Agendas, minutes, supporting documentation. Transfer annually, in consultation with the University Archivist, one copy to the Archives.

    List of Official Student Organizations

    Student Publications, e.g., Literary publications, handbooks, yearbooks

    Transfer one copy annually to the Archives.

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    X. GRANT, CONTRACT AND PATENT ADMINISTRATION


    Transfer annually to Archives one copy of the Department's annual report; proposals, progress reports, final reports for non-active funded grants, contracts, and fellowships; issued patents.

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    XI. MEDIA SERVICES


    Audio-Visual Materials
    Productions relating to all activities on campus.
    Media Services will maintain current academic year productions. The master copy and one use copy of each production will be transferred to the University Archives at the end of each academic year.

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    XII. PUBLICATIONS


    Note: Retention refers to University publications, e.g.

    Annual Reports, Catalogs, Directories, Handbooks, Histories, Literary Publications, News Releases, Speeches/Presentations/Talks
    Transfer one copy to the Archives.

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    XIII. SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS


    Educational Events, e.g., Conferences, Institutes, Lectures, Seminars, etc.
    Include such materials as, agendas, correspondence, handouts, publications, registration lists, reference materials, reports.

    Transfer one copy to the Archives.

    Official Events, e.g., Anniversaries, Awards, Convocations, Dedications, Memorial Services

    Include such materials as, agendas, correspondence, handouts, publications, registration lists, reference materials, reports.
    Transfer one copy to the Archives.

    Social Events e.g., Concerts, Dances, Festivals, Receptions, Reunions

    Include such materials as, agendas, correspondence, handouts, publications, registration lists, reference materials, reports.
    Transfer one copy to the Archives.

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    XIV. FACULTY


    Academic Activities Report

    Publications (Monographs)
    Transfer one copy to the Archives.

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    XV. FACULTY ARCHIVES (PERSONAL)


    Please consult the Archivist for guidelines.