Policy Statement and Responsibilities

1. The University policy is to have a university-wide Records Management Program (the “Program”). Records Subject to Retention, as defined below, must be managed and retained for the specific periods of time set forth in the procedures that accompany this policy, in accordance with institutional or legal requirements, or for historical purposes.
2. The University shall maintain a records retention schedule for University Public Records that are Records Subject to Retention. The retention schedule shall be part of the procedures accompanying this policy. Records Subject to Retention must be retained and managed for the retention periods set forth in the University’s records retention schedule contained in the procedures accompanying this policy, and may only be disposed of according to that schedule. Except as provided in Section 1.5 and 1.6, when authorized by this policy (i.e., after the retention period is met), a University employee, volunteer, agent, or unit may destroy Records Subject to Retention according to the University’s record retention schedule.
3. Records that are not University Public Records, and Records Not Subject to Retention have no retention requirement and may be disposed of immediately. Such records containing confidential, sensitive or otherwise protected information should be destroyed in a secure manner such as shredding. Except as authorized by this policy and its accompanying procedures, no person may dispose of a University Public Record.
4. The University’s records retention schedule shall be established and maintained by the Program, shall be posted at recordsmanagement.uoregon.edu, and shall be reviewed every three years.
5. To the extent that state or federal laws prescribe retention periods for records not listed in the retention schedule or prescribe longer retention periods for records listed in the schedule, those laws are to be followed. While units are responsible for maintaining a general understanding of the laws and retention requirements that apply to their areas, units are encouraged to consult with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) regarding questions about applicable legal requirements. Requests for changes in retention requirements within the schedule should be made to the University Records Manager and may be implemented only after approval by the University Records Manager in consultation with OGC.
6. From time to time, the application of the retention schedule may be temporarily halted for legal and/or administrative reasons. University Public Records may be material to a pending or threatened tort claim notice, litigation, or administrative proceedings or may become subject to an active public records request, subpoena, litigation discovery request, audit, internal or external investigation, or litigation hold. Additionally, because organizational structures change over time, which may impact custodial responsibilities, it is possible to place an administrative hold on records that have otherwise met their retention period. In any of these triggering circumstances, and regardless of the terms of the University’s retention schedule, no University Public Records may be destroyed unless and until the triggering circumstance is concluded, and OGC approves their disposal. Units must inform OGC of any situation that might give rise to legal action as soon as the situation becomes apparent.
7. This policy supersedes any and all previous University records retention and destruction policies and related procedures. To the extent current University policies or procedures address specific retention requirements, those requirements are hereby amended to conform with this policy, its accompanying procedures and the retention requirements contained therein.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The University Records Manager shall direct the Program to develop, deliver, and monitor procedures and training to guide employees in how to create, maintain, protect, retain, and dispose of records in a manner consistent with legal requirements, operational needs, and preservation best practices.
2. All employees, volunteers, agents, units, and other individuals/entities acting on behalf of the University shall manage and dispose of records they create or receive in the course of business in accordance with the policy and accompanying procedures; and participate in Records Management trainings and related activities as requested.
3. The University Archivist will assist units holding Records Subject to Retention that may have long-term administrative or historical value, including identifying such records and developing a plan for their preservation and access.
4. The Office of the General Counsel shall coordinate discovery and public records requests and has the authority to suspend retention periods due to a pending public records request, subpoena, litigation discovery request, audit, internal or external investigation, or litigation hold.
5. Executive leadership shall allocate time required of employees to achieve compliance with the policy; work with direct reports to ensure recordkeeping responsibilities are met; and complete annual Records Management training.
6. Senior leadership, such as Associate Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, or their designees, shall work with their direct reports to identify one or more employees who will serve as the Records Steward(s) for their designated areas and empower them to lead Records Management activities; support Records Steward’s participation in training and implementation activities; ensure that individual employees in their portfolios receive appropriate guidance; and complete annual Records Management training.
7. Records Stewards, shall guide the systematic maintenance and disposal of records and cooperation of all employees; serve as a resource to others in their units/departments/programs; and complete annual Records Management training. The criteria, time commitment, and scope of work for Records Stewards shall be described in the procedures accompanying this policy.

ENFORCEMENT

1. This policy has the force of law pursuant to Oregon law. It may be enforced through appropriate employee and volunteer personnel procedures, contract administration procedures, and student conduct code proceedings. In the event that the procedure used in a particular case does not include an opportunity for an appeal of any initial decision to a higher level within the University, the person aggrieved by such a decision may, within ten days of the decision, appeal the decision in writing to the University Records Manager.

DEFINITIONS

1. “University Public Record” means any book, document, paper, file, photograph, sound recording, computerized recording in machine or electronic storage, records or other materials, regardless of physical form or characteristic, made, received, filed or recorded at the University pursuant to law or in connection with the transaction of any University business or activity, whether or not confidential or restricted in use or access. These records constitute University property.
   1. “Records Subject to Retention” means University Public Records identified in the University’s Retention Schedule or in a federal or state law prescribing a retention period for such records.
   2. “Records Not Subject to Retention” means University Public Records that are not subject to retention. They include, but are not limited to:

• Messages on voice mail or on other telephone message storage and retrieval systems.
• University Public Records that are duplicates by reason of being photocopies or electronic copies.
• Transmittal and acknowledgment letters or emails.
• Spam, advertising, and announcements.
• Correspondence or notes pertaining to reservations of accommodations or scheduling of personal visits or appearances.
• Private emails or other messages or records that do not relate to University business or activities.
• Electronic text messages sent from one cellphone to another.
• Temporary records that may result from communication technologies (e.g., instant messaging, image messaging, and other multimedia mobile applications or technologies that may be developed and used in the future).
• Superseded drafts of letters or emails, minutes, notes, memoranda, reports, or articles.
• Desk, telephone, or meeting notes intended for temporary or personal use.
• Daily calendar or scheduling information.
• A stock of publications.
• Library and museum materials made or acquired and preserved solely for reference or exhibition purposes.
• Any metadata associated with a Record Not Subject to Retention.