Records Management
Records Retention Schedule for the TTU System, 2019-2024
The revised Texas Tech University System's Records Retention Schedule was officially approved for use starting on December 2, 2019. The Records Retention Schedule (RRS) lists identified record series by category along with a brief description, the minimum acceptable retention time, and any legal citations and/or related remarks. An amended version of the document was approved on April 7, 2022.
About the TTU System's Records Management Policy
Texas Tech University System's authority for the legal disposal of records is covered under TTU Operating Policy and Procedure OP10.10 and TTUHSC Operating Policy and Procedure OP10.09.
The University Archivist administers the the records management program under the purview of the TTU System's Chief Financial Officer, Gary W. Barnes. Every five years, the TTU System undergoes a records survey, after which it submits an updated records retention schedule to the State of Texas for approval. Once approval has been received, the revised records retention schedule will be made available on this website.
The Records Management Office is available to help any Texas Tech department with its records retention needs. Inquiries can be contacted by phone (806) 834-7003 or by email. The Records Management Office is currently housed in the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library.
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Notice Section 441.186 of the State Records Management Laws grants universities the authority to retain and preserve the archival state records of the institution. Record series that are flagged as "archival" on Texas Tech University's retention schedule are considered to have possible valuable historical information and should not be discarded without approval of the University Archivist. |
Useful Information About Records Management at Texas Tech
Records Management FAQ
To help employees better manage their records the following documents have been created:
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Records Management at Texas Tech
[PDF]
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Employee Records and Records
Management [PDF]
Shredding and Recycling Services
Texas Tech began offering a new shredding
and recycling service called ShredTech through the Physical Plant in August of 2014.
For more information visit the
Red Raider Shred website. The
Office of Sustainability has also worked with several department around campus to promote recycling to help
make Texas Tech more environmentally efficient.
Regarding Electronic Records
Section 441.189. Electronic State Records: a) Any state record may be created or stored electronically in accordance
with standards and procedures adopted as administrative rules of the commission.
[full citation]
CAUTION - the retention time for an electronic copy is still the same as a paper copy. An electronic copy must also be
readable and accessible for the duration of the retention time and should be disposed of after it has fulfilled
its retention time. If the record has been flagged as having archival value, the University
Archivist should be contacted at 742-3749 about preserving the record.
When disposing of master copies TTU records, the records disposition log should be completed. The Records Disposition Log form is available online. Instructions for filling out the form and an example of a completed form is shown as well.
Disaster Recovery- It is the responsibility of TTU administrators to have a backup plan to protect their vital records (i.e. those records that are irreplaceable, unique, or necessary for the operation of their department and the University). The Libraries' disaster recovery procedures are set forth under the Disaster Response Plan. The rest of the University's responsibility to disaster recovery is outline under the Operating Policy and Procedure's OP76.01.
History of the Texas Tech University Records Management Program
In 1992, Texas Tech University began its Records Retention Project, in response to state law which required all state agencies, colleges, and universities to implement and adhere to a records retention schedule. At the direction of then University President Robert Lawless, Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center pooled their funds and hired a project administrator, staff personnel, and funded the purchase of necessary supplies. This led to the eventual establishment of an active Records Management Office that carries on the records retention scheduling, identifying and classifying university record types. These record types are used to compile a university-wide retention schedule that satisfies both the state and Tech's requirements. The final retention schedule is submitted every five years for approval to the Texas State Library's Records Management Division.
Other Records Management Links of Interest
The Texas State and Local Records Management Division has a vast amount of information available. On their Resources page, they present information on topics such as electronic records, microfilming standards, records retention scheduling, etc.
The University of Texas's website has several points of interest, including links to the Texas Public Information Act (Open Records) and the Public Information Act, as well as the university's records retention schedule.
Texas A&M's University Records website has a lot of useful information on records management.
The University of Houston also has its retention schedule online.
Last Updated 4/21/22