GUIDELINE G-070

GUIDELINE G-070

SUBJECT: Disposal of Records - RDA 2161

These guidelines set forth the procedures for disposal of institutional records for all institutions and technology centers governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Disposal of institutional and center records must be approved by the State Public Records Commission. No records may be destroyed unless and until provided below. Unless specified otherwise, or otherwise required by law, records may be imaged, microfilmed or electronically reproduced and the paper copy destroyed upon verification of an archival quality reproduction. The microfilm, image, or electronic record will then be retained for the balance of the indicated retention period.

The following record series have been approved for disposal by state-approved methods: shredding or burning. No record shall be destroyed, however, so long as it pertains to any pending legal case, claim or action, or to any federal or state audit until such actions have been concluded. Records which reflect "Permanent" retention may be destroyed after verification of an archival quality electronic reproduction. Actions by the State Commission shall be communicated to all campus records officers through the Board staff.

Institutional or Center Records Officers have the authority and responsibility to dispose of records in accordance with approved records disposition authorizations. Prior to the destruction of any records, the Records Officer must determine if the action should be delayed due to audit or litigation requirements. Specific records pertaining to current or pending litigation or investigation must also be retained until all questions are resolved. These specific records can be retained in a suspense file, while all other records not under pending investigation should be disposed of in accordance with established RDAs.

The Public Records Commission has authorized the implementation and utilization of the Certificate of Destruction form (see Attachment A) in order to better track the volume of records destroyed and to insure that records have met the criteria necessary for destruction. Institutions and centers need to complete a Certificate of Destruction form when destroying public or confidential records that are not destroyed during the annual Operation Roundfile campaign - an initiative through Executive Order 38 to purge out-of-date documents on an annual basis.

Notwithstanding the retention period stated herein, should such periods conflict with federal law, the period of longer retention shall apply.

The following definitions are applicable to this Guideline:

RECORD: All books, papers, electronic mail messages, maps, photographs, films, microfilm, imaged copy, electronic data processing output, sound recordings or other materials regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental agency.

NON-RECORD: Those documents which do not document the activities of an agency: i.e. extra copies of documents kept for convenience or reference; stock supplies of publications; extra copies of circulated materials where follow-up copies are kept for the record; reading files; follow-up correspondence copies; identical or carbon copies kept in the same file; draft copies or work copies of documents when the final version is complete; letters of transmittal which add nothing to the transmitted information; inter-office memoranda; shorthand notes, steno type tapes or sound recordings after they have been transcribed; and internal housekeeping materials such as intra-office memos, routing slips, telephone call slips, and computer edit error listings after the corrections are made; library or museum material which is for reference or exhibition; private materials neither made nor received by an institution or school staff member in connection with the transaction of official business. As non-records, the above-mentioned items are excluded from the record retention and disposal requirements.

PERMANENT RECORDS: Those records or materials which have permanent administrative, physical, historical or legal value.

WORKING PAPERS: Those records or materials created to serve as interim documents or inputs to final reporting documents, including electronic data processed records, computer output microfilm and records which become obsolete immediately after agency use or publication and are not classified as being a permanent record, or record of archival value.

I. BUSINESS RECORDS

NOTE: Business records must be retained the indicated number of years listed below. In addition, prior to disposal or destruction, these business records must have been subjected to the completion of an annual or bi-annual audit conducted by the State Audit Division of the Comptroller's Office as required in T.C.A. § 4-3-304. Internal audit reports and work papers must be retained either 5 years or through 2 audits. "Completion" includes the issuance of the final audit report and the resolution of any audit exceptions or questions arising from the audit.

TYPE OF RECORD	RETENTION PERIOD
Capital Outlay Requisitions	3 years
Capital Outlay Purchase Orders Closed capital outlay purchase order files	3 years
Requisition for Local Purchase	3 years
Requisition for Bids	3 years
Budget Records and Ledgers (Working Papers) Budget working papers which are prepared at each institution during the budget process	3 years
Travel Claims Claims for travel expenses filed for reimbursement	3 years
Purchase Orders	3 years
Petty Cash Receipts	3 years
Vocational Rehabilitation Authorizations Authorizations and invoices from the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for services to clients	3 years and audit
Equipment Inventory Records	3 years
Grant Files	3 years after termination
Disbursement Voucher Files Disbursement vouchers and supporting documents, such as vendor invoices, purchase orders and related correspondence, travel requests and authorizations	3 years
Motor Vehicle Operations Files Applications for title, registration, invoices, etc., for school-owned vehicles	3 years
Internal Audit Reports	5 years or two audits
Internal Audit Work Papers	5 years or two audits
Accounts Receivable Invoices billing individuals and organizations for accounts receivable	5 years
Bank Deposit Slips	5 years
University Operating Funds Receipt Books and Other Pre-Numbered Receipts	5 years
Payroll Records Payroll journals, transmittal sheets, etc.	5 years
Check Vouchers	5 years
Fee Assessment Forms	5 years
Vendor Files	5 years
Bank Account Reconciliation Statements showing checks, other debits, deposits and credits to bank accounts	5 years
Canceled Checks	5 years
Student Ledger Cards/ Student Registration System Receipts	5 years after account is paid in full; permanently if not paid in full
Tuition and Fee Charges, Assessed and Paid	5 years after date of charge
Investment Records Includes records concerning LGIP accounts, certificates of deposit, records of interest and dividends earned	5 years after maturity/liquidation of investment
Student Financial Aid Records 1. Records pertaining to the application for and receipt and expenditure of federal funds, including all accounting records and original and supporting documents necessary to document how the funds are spent 2. Records pertaining to specific award of financial aid 3. Repayment Records	Records for an award year shall be retained 5 years after program and fiscal report are submitted. 5 years after last date of the period for which the loan was intended 5 years from date on which the loan is repaid, canceled, or assigned to the Department. The original promissory note and repayment schedule must be maintained in a locked fore-proof container until the loan is paid in full or until the originals are needed in order to enforce collection of the loan. Other such records may be substituted with microform, imaged, or electronically reproduced copies or kept in computer format. If maintained in computer format, source documents supporting the computer input must be maintained either in hard copy or in microform.
Contracts	6 years after either final payment, or termination of contract term
Housing Contracts	6 years after final payment
Leases	6 years after termination
Gift and Contribution Records Master listing of gifts and contributions Record of any stipulations placed on gift or contribution All other records	Permanently Life of gift or contribution 3 years
General Ledger	20 years
Monthly Budget and Expenditure Report (if different than General Ledger)	If kept in lieu of a general ledger, 20 years
Annual Financial Reports	Permanently

II. PERSONNEL RECORDS

TYPE OF RECORD	RETENTION PERIOD
Attendance and Leave Records, Employee Leave Requests, Attendance and Leave Reports	Maintain by fiscal year (current leave balances should be constantly maintained); hold for 3 years after current year and completed audit when required
Personnel Files Official personnel folders for each employee of the Tennessee Board of Regents or its institutions or schools centers	Maintain in active files for current employees. May image, microfilm, or electronically reproduce active files; however, upon separation from state government, the documents must be imaged, microfilmed, or electronically reproduced. Destroy paper records after verification of reproduction. Retain reproduced copy for 75 years, then destroy.
Daily Work Report Files This record serves as a work sheet for the attendance and leave record. It serves as a record of daily attendance, hours worked and leave taken. Included are forms giving name of employee, time signed in and out, hours worked, signature of employee, etc.	Maintain in file on annual basis; destroy after maintaining 3 years
Pledge Cards for Charity Drives Records consist of payroll deduction authorizations for the State Employee Charity Fund and similar campaigns	Destroy after 1 year and audit
Employee Insurance Files Records consist of signed copies of group welfare program and similar forms indicating type coverage selected, signed application for health insurance and similar or related forms	Retain in active file until superseded by a new form, at which time original authorization will be placed in agency personnel folder or attached to the new authorization. Upon termination of employment, place in agency employee personnel folder, etc.
U.S. Savings Bond Payroll Savings Authorization Form used to authorize payroll deduction for savings bonds, showing beneficiary and owner's name, address, and social security number.	Retain in active file until superseded by a new form, at which time original authorization will be either replaced in agency personnel folder or attached to the new authorization. Upon termination of employment, place in agency employee personnel folder.
Applications for Employment Applications and resumes submitted in response to an advertised position.	2 years after date of last action on an application
Unsolicited Applications Employment applications and resumes gratuitously submitted.	May be disposed of immediately
Affirmative Action Records Composite information relating to applicant flow logs, applicant statistics, wage data, and information concerning adverse impact, affirmative action compliance program, etc.	5 years
I-9 Employment Eligibility verification forms	3 years after date of hire or one year after date of termination, whichever is later

III. STUDENT RECORDS

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA) specifically requires institutions to maintain records of requests and disclosures of personally identifiable information except for defined "directory information" and requests from students to review their own records. The records of disclosures and requests for disclosures are considered part of the students' educational records; therefore, these records must be retained as long as the education records to which they refer are retained by the institution.

Additionally, FERPA requires that no record for which there is a pending request to review be destroyed.

Admission data, documents for applicants who do not enter whether accepted or rejected

TYPE OF RECORD	RETENTION PERIOD
Acceptance Letters	1 year after application term
Advanced Placement Records	1 year after application term
Applications for Admission	1 year after application term
Correspondence	1 year after application term
Entrance Exam Reports (ACT, CEEB)	1 year after application term
Letters of Recommendation	1 year after application term
Transcripts High school, other colleges or universities	1 year after application term
Medical Records	1 year after application term
Readmission Forms	1 year after application term

The remainder of the retention guidelines for student records pertain to applicants who enter the institution.

TYPE OF RECORD	RETENTION PERIOD
Grade Reports (Registrar's copies)	1 year after date distributed
Registration Forms	1 year after date submitted
Social Security Certificates	1 year after certified
Teacher Certifications	1 year after certified
Transcript Requests (student)	1 year after date requested
Audit Authorizations	1 year after date submitted
Pass/Fail Requests	1 year after date submitted
Changes of Course (add/drop)	1 year after date submitted
Credit/No Credit Approvals	1 year after date submitted
Enrollment Verifications, Logs or Lists	1 year after date submitted
AAPP Scan Sheets and Essay Booklets (Hard Copy)	5 years after date of test
Applications for Graduation	1 year after graduation or 1 year after date of last attendance
Examination Papers and Answer Sheets	Must be retained one year after date of last attendance, or one year after date of graduation of student whose grade has been appealed.
Academic Advisor Files	1 year after graduation, or 3 years after end of advisor status, whichever occurs first
Class Schedules (Students)	1 year after graduation or 1 year after date of last attendance
Personal Data Information Forms	1 year after graduation or 1 year after date of last attendance
Judicial Board Cases/Student Disciplinary Files For matters resulting in expulsion or suspension For matters resulting in a finding of no violation(s)	Permanent At conclusion of disciplinary process
All other matters	1 year after graduation or 4 years after date of action
Veterans Administration Certifications/Individual Folders File includes recruitment material (for those who do not enter whether accepted or rejected); previous education (transcripts from other colleges); evidence of formal admission (acceptance letters); grade reports and/or statements of progress (academic records); change of course forms; transfer credit evaluations; degree audit reports; tuition and fees charged and collected.	3 years after graduation or date of last term attended
Withdrawal Authorizations	3 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Academic Action Authorizations (Dismissal, etc.)	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Acceptance Letters	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Name Change Authorizations	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Correspondence, Relevant	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Residence Classification Forms	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Curriculum Change Authorizations	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Degree Audit Records, Reports	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Entrance Examinations Reports (ACT, CEEB)	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Transcripts - High schools, other colleges	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Foreign Student Forms (I-20)	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Graduation Authorizations	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Advance Placement Records Information regarding students' high school advance placement scores	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Applications for Admission or Readmission (Re-entry)	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Credit by Examination Forms	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Placement Records Records of job placement subsequent to attendance, graduation, receipt of certificate, etc.	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Letters of Recommendation	Upon admission of the student
Student Waivers for Right of Access to Review Letters of Recommendation for Admission	Retain until the admissions record and recommendation letters are disposed.
Transfer Credit Evaluations	5 years after graduation or date of last attendance
Academic Records Includes Narrative Evaluations, Competency Assessments, etc.	Permanently
Change of Grade Forms (Update Forms)	Permanently
Class Lists (Original Grade Sheets or Cards)	Permanently
Graduation Lists	Permanently
Permanent Student Cards	Permanently
Statistical Data – Enrollment, Grades, Racial/Ethnic, Degree, Schedule of Classes (Institutional)	Permanently
Commencement Program	Retain 1 copy permanently

IV. MISCELLANEOUS

TYPE OF RECORD	RETENTION PERIOD
Correspondence Files	1 year
Deeds	Permanently
Endowment and Living Trust Agreements	Permanently
Minutes of Board and Committees Documents relating to the holding of meetings and recording of proceedings of meetings of the Board of Regents and its official commissions, councils, sub-councils, and committees. Included are accounts (either verbatim or in summary) of proceedings; actions taken in such meetings, agenda; copies of reports; exhibits; announcements; retained in Office of General Counsel	Permanently
Printed Materials and Publications Items which have permanent administrative, physical, historical or legal value, such as: Class schedules (institutional), school catalogs, brochures, etc.	Retain 2 copies permanently in institution/center library archive
Medical X-Rays	4 years, provided the written and signed findings of a radiologist who has read such X-ray film shall be retained for 10 years after treatment of patient
Medical Case Records	Retain entire record for 10 years after student leaves institution. Retain 10 years after treatment of member of institution/center staff
Litigation Files Institutional Files - Supporting records utilized in litigation Central Office Files - Pleadings and other supporting documents	3 years after conclusion of litigation/final appeal 5 years after conclusion of litigation/final appeal
Interlibrary Loan Forms	Maintain by calendar year and hold for 1 additional year
Motor Vehicle Registration Registration forms for campus parking permits	Retain during current academic year; or, destroy once invalid
Reference Paper Files Records consist of documents used to facilitate, control, or supervise the performance of a specific function, process or action - not the official record copies necessary to document function, process or action. Do not use this number for working papers, investigations and similar working papers which are required by operating procedures, state or federal regulations and/or to be retained for a stipulated period of time. 1.Notes, drafts, feeder reports, news clippings, similar working papers and other materials accumulated for preparation of a communications, study, a survey, an inspection or other action. This definition does not include official and quasiofficial recommendations, coordinating actions and other documents which contribute or result from preparation of the communication or other record. 2. Cards, listings, indexes, and similar documents used for facilitating and controlling work. Do not destroy cards, listings, and indexes and similar documents which provide access to the original documents. 3. Technical documents, plans, and similar reproduced materials which do not fall in the description of reference or technical publications. This does not apply to the record copy generally maintained by the initiating office. 4. Documents received for general information purposes that require no action and are not required for documentation of specific functions. 5. Extra copies maintained by action office which reflect actions taken. Such files should not be established unless absolutely necessary. 6.Copies of documents maintained by supervisory offices, such as commissioners, chiefs of divisions, sections, etc. These records duplicate the records filed elsewhere within the organization.	Terminate files upon completion of communication, study, survey, inspection or other action Destroy when no longer needed to facilitate or control work Destroy when superseded, obsolete or no longer needed for reference Destroy after 1 year or when no longer needed for reference. 1 year 1 year
Copyrights and Patents Forms, documents and materials relating to applications for and granting of copyrights and patents	Permanently
JTPA Records All records concerning the Job Partnership Training Program including participant records	Retain 3 years following the date on which the annual expenditure report containing the final expenditures charged to such program year's allotment is submitted to the Department of Labor
Accreditation Records	Until superseded

I. OFFICE GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE FILES

TYPE OF RECORD

RETENTION PERIOD

Suspense files, papers arranged in chronological order as a reminder that action is required on a given date.

A note or reminder to submit a report or take some other action

The file copy or extra copy of an outgoing communication

An incoming communication filed by date on which action is expected.

Destroy when action is taken

Remove from suspense file when reply is received. If extra copy, destroy; if record copy, file in proper file.

Remove from file on date action is to be taken.

Office General Management Files. Included are:

Correspondence concerning hours of work and additional duties

Correspondence concerning participation in Public Relations/information activities, such as open house programs and special events. (This does not normally apply to news releases, project files on conferences, seminars, open house programs, etc., accumulated by Agency Information directors or agency offices performing similar functions.)

Correspondence pertaining to security within the office.

Correspondence relating to office participation in charity drives and blood donations.

Correspondence relating to parking,

traffic, and related protective services.

Documents relating to safety within the office.

Other documents similar to the above categories that do not pertain to the official functional files of the office.

Destroy after 1 year

Destroy after 1 year

Destroy after 1 year

Destroy after 1 year

Housekeeping Instruction Files.

Documents relating to the preparation and issue of office memorandums, numbered and unnumbered, or comparable continuing instructions that apply only to internal administrative practices and housekeeping details within the preparing office. Included are copies of the instructions and communications related to them.

Destroy when superseded by new instructions or when obsolete

Office Organization Files.

Documents relating to the organization and function of an office, such as copies of documents which are duplicated in other offices responsible for the organization and functions of state government. Included are:

Copies of functional charts and functional statements, copies of documents relating to office staffing and personnel strength.

Documents reflecting minor changes in the organization which are made by the head of the office and which do not require commissioner approval.

Destroy when superseded, obsolete, or no longer needed for reference.

Records Access File.

Correspondence or listings received by or prepared by an office, giving name and other identification of individuals authorized access to office records, particularly confidential records.

Destroy when superseded, obsolete, or no longer needed for reference

Office Record Transmittal Files.

Copies of records, transmittal forms showing files transferred to the State Records Center for State Archives.

Destroy when records listed thereon have been destroyed. For permanent records and records transferred to the State Archives retain indefinitely

Office Financial Files.

Documents that relate to the participation of offices in matters concerning the expenditure of funds, such as cost estimates for travel, correspondence with budget offices, funds for long distance telephone calls, receipts for bonds and checks, or comparable documents affecting funds. This authorization does not apply to Finance and Budget Offices that accumulate similar files in the performance of mission functions.

Destroy after 1 year

Office Property Record Files

Cards, lists, receipts, or comparable documents showing accountable property charged to an office.

Destroy when superseded, obsolete, or upon turn-in of property

Office Space Assignment Record Files

Documents reflecting administrative space assigned to an office.

Destroy when superseded or obsolete

Office Service and Supply Files

Documents relating to supply and equipment used by an office; office space and utilities, communications, transportation requests, custodial or other services required by an office; and to the general maintenance of an office. Included are:

Requests for supplies, receipts for supplies and equipment, and similar matters

Requests and other documents concerning issue of keys and/or locks to an office

Requests for publications and blank forms and other papers relating to the supply and distribution of publications to the office

Documents relating to local transportation

Documents relating to custodial services required by an office

Requests for installation of telephones, floor plans showing location of offices, telephone extensions, requests for changes to telephone directories, and similar papers

Documents relating to modification, repair, or change to office heating, lighting, ventilation, cooling, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Documents relating to painting, partitioning, repairing, or other aspects of maintaining the office physical structure.

Documents relating to other logistical services required by or provided to an office.

Destroy 1 year after completion of action

Office Management System Files.

Documents related to the use and approval of a micromation system, an automated filing system, or similar systems.

Destroy when system is no longer in effect

II. OFFICE PERSONNEL FILES

TYPE OF RECORD	RETENTION PERIOD
Office General Personnel Files Documents that relate to the day-to-day administration of personnel in individual offices. Included are notices of holidays and hours worked; notices about participation in athletic events and employee unions; notifications and lists of employees to receive State medical services, including X-rays and immunizations; notices and lists of individuals to receive training; and comparable or related papers.	Destroy after 1 year
Office Personnel Locator Files Cards or sheets showing name, address, and telephone number and similar data for each office employee.	Destroy on transfer or separation of individual
Employee Record Files Printouts or cards that provide complete information on employees, positions, strength authorizations and actions in process.	Forward to gaining organization upon transfer within state government. Place in Supervisor/Agency Employee Personnel Folder upon separation
Job Description Files Supervisor's copies of official job descriptions	Destroy on abolishment of position, supersessions of job description, or when no longer needed for reference
Supervisory/Agency Employee Information Files Documents pertaining to the administration of individual employees which are duplicated in, or which are not appropriate for inclusion in the official Personnel Folder filed in the Job Description File, or similar official personnel records. Included are: Copies of performance appraisals Approval for off-duty employment Papers relating to individual injuries Letters of commendation and appreciation Documents reflecting assigned responsibilities of individuals Records showing training received by individuals Copy of PNF 201 Forms	Review at end of each calendar year and destroy documents which have been superseded or are no longer applicable For separated employees, place in an active file and destroy after 3 years after termination

III. OFFICE REFERENCE FILES

TYPE OF RECORD	RETENTION PERIOD
Reference Publication Files Copies of publications, such as catalogs, brochures, and manuals issued by any element of state government, other states, US Government agencies and private concerns maintained for reference within an office.	Destroy when superseded, obsolete, or no longer needed for reference. Books which are on property records will be returned to supply.
Technical Material Reference Files Copies of technical materials, such as transparencies, charts, sound recordings, motion picture, and still photographs maintained for reference purposes.	Destroy when superseded, obsolete, or maps, no longer needed for reference
Reading Files Extra copies of outgoing communications, arranged chronologically, and maintained as a cross reference file or for periodic review by staff members.	Destroy after 1 year
Policy and Precedent Files Extra copies of documents establishing policy or precedent for future and continuing action. (This does not include the official record copies of policy and precedent documents, which are usually filed in other subject or functional files in an office.)	Destroy when superseded, obsolete, or no longer needed for reference
Travel Authorization Files Copies of request and authorization for in-state and out-of-state travel and related correspondence	Destroy after 1 year

Source: November 15, 1983 SBR Presidents Meeting; Revised July 1, 1984; Revised July 1, 1985; Revised September 1, 1986; Approved May 14, 1991, Presidents Meeting and implemented August 6, 1993 after approval by State Records Commission; May 5, 1998, Presidents Meeting; May 21, 2002 Presidents Meeting; May 16, 2006 Presidents Meeting