Printed on: 12/05/2023. Please go to policy.umn.edu for the most current version of the document.
University of Minnesota  Administrative Policy

Managing University Records and Information

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Policy Statement

Records and Information Management Program

The University of Minnesota maintains a Records and Information Management (RIM) program within the Data Access and Privacy Office. The University’s Records Manager assists University staff to create, maintain, manage and eventually destroy records and information that is no longer needed or valuable to the University. This is done by creating record retention schedules which are based on legal, administrative, fiscal and historical requirements or regulations.

Records Retention. University units are responsible for utilizing the University record retention schedules to manage their information. Units must maintain the records for the period specified on the record retention schedules.

Records Disposition. University units should destroy information and records once the retention period has been met. University units must follow destruction guidelines when destroying University records.

NOTE: Any records or information that are part of pending or current litigation may not be destroyed, regardless of the record retention schedule. Contact the Office of General Counsel if there are questions about the status of a case.

Reason for Policy

A records and information management program ensures that information is kept and maintained according to legal, fiscal, administrative and historical needs. The program also ensures that records are properly destroyed to protect privacy interests when no longer needed.

Contacts

Subject Contact Phone /Email
Primary Contact Susan McKinney 612-625-3497 [email protected]
Waste Management/Recycling Facilities Management 612-625-8084 [email protected]
Legal Questions Office of the General Counsel 612-624-4100 [email protected]
Academic Records - TC Office of the Registrar - TC 612-624-1111 800-400-8636 [email protected]
Academic Records - Duluth Office of the Registrar - Duluth 218-726-8000 800-232-1339 [email protected]
Academic Records - Crookston Office of the Registrar - Crookston 218-281-8548 [email protected]
Academic Records - Morris Office of the Registrar - Morris 320-589-6030 [email protected]
Academic Records - Rochester Office of the Registrar 507-258-8069 [email protected]
Contract/Bid Awards Purchasing Services 612-624-2828 [email protected]
Questions from Media University Relations 612-624-2828 320-589-6025
Salary Records Payroll Administration 612-624-3869 320-589-6025
Employment Records Office of Human Resources 612-625-8328 320-589-6025
Other Questions Records and Information Management 612-625-3497 [email protected]
Responsible Individuals
Responsible Officer Policy Owner Primary Contact
  • General Counsel
  • Senior Records Manager and Associate Director - Data Access & Privacy Office
  • Susan McKinney
    Senior Records Manager and Associate Director - Data Access & Privacy Office

Definitions

Active Records
Files needed to support the current business activity of a department. The active period may be determined by record category (see the University-wide Record Retention Schedule or individual unit retention schedules).
Inactive Records
Files for which the active period has passed and are being kept for the remainder of the specified retention period. May be located in a storage area or managed electronically.
University Records
Documents in any format (including written and printed matter, drawings, maps, plans, photographs; microforms; motion picture films, sound and video recordings; electronic data or copies made or received by an academic or administrative office of the University in connection with the transaction of University business, and retained by such office as evidence of the activities of the University.
Records Management
The systematic control of information from creation to final disposition.
Retention Period
The length of time a record must be kept to meet administrative, fiscal, legal or historical requirements.
University-Wide Retention Schedule
A listing of retention periods for University records.

Responsibilities

Employees
Follow the University-wide Records Retention Schedule to manage active and inactive records. Appropriately dispose of information once the retention period has been met.
Departments
Retaining records according to the University-wide Record Retention Schedule, forwarding records to the University Archives when applicable, and disposing of University records properly once the retention period has been met.
Facilities Management
Manage the University’s recycling program and recycle materials in an appropriate manner.
Data Access and Privacy Office
  • Houses the University’s Records and Information Management (RIM) program. 
  • Provides guidelines and a timetable for storage of University records.
  • Develops and maintain records retention schedules that establish retention periods for University records based on and consistent with law and best practices.
  • Develops disposition procedures that provide appropriate security for private or confidential data.
  • Assists University staff on active management of University records in all formats to ensure that University records are maintained and protected according to standards and best practices.
  • Promotes the use of technology resources to efficiently manage and preserve University records.

Related Information

History

Amended:
October 2019 - Comp Review. Added two new appendices: Destroying University Information and Records and Guidelines for Storage of Information at Rosemount. Other minor changes to improve clarity.
Amended:
January 2014 - Clarified Statement, Reason, Definitions and Responsibilities. Major revision to Administrative Procedure: Retention of University Records to increase level of detail in the procedure. Minor changes to clarify Administrative Procedure: Destruction of University Records. Title to this procedure changed from Disposing of University Records to Destruction of University Records.
Amended:
July 2009 - Clarified role of Records and Information Management Program in Statement and Reason. Updated definitions, responsibilities and contacts sections. Title changed from Managing University Records Retention to Managing University Records and Information.
Amended:
January 2003 - Added Retention Guidelines for Financial Documents to appendices.
Effective:
December 1999
Supercedes:
Retention, Archival, and Destruction of Records and Record Retention Schedule A
REPLACES: 4/89, 4/92, 1/93.