Administrative and Management Records
Routine Administrative Records
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Introduction
The following records retention guidelines provide recommendations for the disposition of records and information used in the administration and management of Duke University's departments, programs, libraries, committees, schools, and institutes. The records document the creation of policy; fulfillment of missions, goals, and objectives; and development and implementation of directives and plans. They also serve to keep University offices functioning day-to-day and therefore can be routine and business-like in nature.
These guidelines apply to administrative and management records and data stored on any and all media. These guidelines do not obligate an office to create records that did not previously exist.
Fiscal Records
Much of the information used in the management and oversight of programs and the administration of offices or centers is financial in nature. An office should follow procedures laid out in Financial Services General Accounting Procedure 200.240, Retention Periods for Accounting Records, when disposing of financial records.
Using the Retention Guidelines
The Retention Guidelines identify minimum retention periods for several categories of administrative and management records. Those categories include:
- Routine Administrative Records: these records are used to support routine functions in an office. Examples include copies of widely dispersed policies and procedures, staff meeting records, daily staff calendars, budgetary data, etc.
- Program Administration and Management Records: these records are used to oversee and administer programs, departments, or centers. They are more substantive materials used for planning and evaluation and may be created for reporting purposes, to satisfy missions or directives, or to document achievements. Examples include reports, strategic plans, policies and procedures, and program development and evaluation records.
- Records of Standing and Ad Hoc Committees, Councils, or Boards: these records are created in the conduct of business by the many committees and councils at Duke University. Included in this category are meeting minutes and supporting documents, working papers, reports, and membership records.
Following the minimum retention period, the records in question should be disposed of according to the recommendations in these guidelines. In some cases it is important to destroy information using a method that preserves its confidentiality. (This excludes records identified for permanent retention.) Duke University maintains contracts with several shredding facilities; visit Procurement Services website at http://www.procurement.duke.edu/ for more information.
Call if you need assistance or guidance in transferring records
- University Archives, 919-660-5820
- Medical Center Archives, (http://archives.mc.duke.edu) 919-383-2653.
The University Records Manager will review the retention guidelines for administrative and management records periodically and will issue revisions as necessary.
If you maintain administrative and management records that are not identified in these guidelines, call 919-684-6181 for assistance.
Off-site Storage
In most cases, offices responsible for maintaining records do not have adequate space to store them beyond one or two years. If records must be moved to an off-site storage location, consider the following needs:
- Access and retrieval, including frequency of retrieval, emergency access needs, and potential costs associated with getting to the records;
- Environmental conditions that provide stable and friendly conditions for the records;
- Security systems that prevent unauthorized access to the records;
- Filing systems that permit the rapid retrieval of records via a logical index, box list, or similar finding aid; and,
- The overall physical and intellectual control over the records for which you are the guardian.
Abbreviations and Definitions
Administrative Value: the usefulness of a record in the conduct of office business.
Archives: the University Archives or the Medical Center Archives (http://archives.mc.duke.edu)
Minimum Retention: the minimum amount of time a particular series of records should be retained.
Permanent: an indefinite retention period; signifies that the records have sufficient value or importance to justify keeping them in perpetuity. Permanent retention also may be based on legal requirements or demonstrated and justifiable need. Long term or permanent retention of electronic records commits an office's resources to data migration, ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of the data, and addressing
hardware/software obsolescence. An office should consider the long-term availability of its resources prior to expressing an interest in retaining
information permanently. The University Archives or the Medical Center Archives is the official repository for information with historical or enduring value.
Records: all recorded information, regardless of its physical form or characteristics, created or received pursuant to the transaction of University business or in the fulfillment of its educational, administrative, business, or legal obligations.
Record Series (or Series): a group/set of identical or related records, information, or data that are normally used and filed or stored as a logical unit; synonymous with data set.
Duke University Records Retention Guidelines
Category Description: Administrative and Management Records
This category of records documents the functions, executive and managerial duties, and overall management of Duke University Administration, schools, departments, libraries, programs, or centers. They may relate to planning initiatives, program implementation and evaluation, or the
fulfillment of the University's mission and vision.
Primary Heading: Program Administration and Management Records: These are unique records that document the development, administration and management, and evaluation of programs, departments, or centers. They typically are used to support the programs or document activities and are retained to assist in planning efforts or to provide historical perspective for the office.
| Series Title |
Content |
Minimum Retention |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit reports-financial | Findings of audits of financial systems/records | Follow General Accounting Procedure 200.240 for disposition of fiscal records | |
| Audit reports-programs, departments, or centers | Findings of audits of programs, departments, or centers; may include related correspondence | 5 years; transfer to Archives | |
| Calendar of events and programs | Calendar of events for programs, departments, or centers; may include summaries of events and planning documents | Superseded or obsolete | |
| Conferences attended | Records of conferences, symposia, or workshops attended by staff of departments, programs, or centers | Administrative value ends | Follow General Accounting Procedure 200.240 for disposition of fiscal records |
| Conferences conducted or sponsored | Records of conferences, symposia, or workshops conducted or sponsored by staff of departments, programs, or centers | Contracts--3 years after final payment if not being audited
Remaining records--5 years; transfer to Archives (excluding fiscal records) |
Follow General Accounting Procedure 200.240 for disposition of fiscal records |
| Plans and reports | Planning documents, project or program reports, activity or summary (year-end) reports, etc.; may include supporting documents or aggregate data | 5 years; transfer to Archives | Retain drafts only if major changes occur from one draft to the next |
| Policies and procedures (record copies), including handbooks | Policies and procedures for programs, departments, or centers | Superseded or obsolete, transfer to Archives | |
| Program development and accreditation records | Documents establishment, planning, and review/accreditation of major department activities/projects | 5 years; transfer to Archives | |
| Resource and reference material | Catalogs, articles, guidelines and similar records related to programs | Reference value ends | These materials are from outside sources; this category does not include materials created to support department projects or programs |
| Strategic plans | Identify goals and objectives for programs, departments, or centers | 5 years; transfer to Archives | |
| Subject files | Records providing background for office programs, mission, or functions and serving as resources for carrying out those activities | Contact Archives for review and appraisal |
Top of Page
Primary heading: Records of Standing and Ad Hoc Committees, Councils, or Boards:: Records documenting activities and decisions of committees, councils, and boards with which offices deal, or upon which office staff serves.
| Series Title | Content | Minimum Retention | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Committee records | May include agendas, minutes and appendices/attachments, bylaws, charters, correspondence, working papers, reports, etc., created by standing and ad hoc committees | 5 years; transfer to Archives | Committee should identify guardian of record copies (i.e. Secretary) and destroy duplicate/reference copies |
| Membership records | Membership lists, acceptance letters, nomination letters, etc. | 5 years; transfer to Archives |
Primary Heading: Routine Administrative Records : Concern daily functions, administration, and operations of the office; are used as routine supporting documentation for management activities and the conduct of business.
| Series Title | Content | Minimum Retention | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correspondence (routine) | Routine correspondence/email concerning information requests, invitations, confirmations, scheduling, etc. | Administrative value ends | |
| Emergency notifications | Call back lists, emergency and after-hours contact information | Superseded or obsolete | |
| Equipment | Instructions/manuals, warranties & guarantees, rental/lease/maintenance agreements, service documentation, etc. | 3 years after disposition of equipment | Follow General Accounting Procedure 200.240 for disposition of fiscal records |
| Meeting records (staff) | May include agendas, minutes and appendices/attachments, correspondence, etc., created for routine staff meetings | 3 years | |
| Monthly reports | Routine reports documenting activities of staff | 3 years | Also see Plans and Reports |
| Office administrative and support records | Records used in the administration and daily functions of the office; may include copies of policies and procedures, distribution lists, copies of budget documents, etc. | Administrative value ends | Follow General Accounting Procedure 200.240 for disposition of fiscal records |
| Organizational charts | Superseded or obsolete, transfer to Archives | ||
| Professional groups | Correspondence, copies of minutes, publications/newsletters, etc. concerning professional organizations/associations to which staff of programs, departments, or centers belong | Administrative value ends; transfer to Archives if group affiliated with Duke University and destroy remainder | Does not include records of student groups or organizations |
| Records management | Retention guidelines, inventories of material stored off-site, destruction certificates, etc. | Retain destruction certificates
Remaining records--superseded or obsolete |
919-660-5870
(Perkins Circulation Desk)
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