A
access copy
see convenience copy
authoritative copy
The complete, final, and authorized version of a record, especially the version bearing an original signature or seal. Not necessarily the original, but the definitive version of a record.
archives (general term)
The noncurrent records created or received and accumulated by a person or organization in the course of the conduct of affairs and preserved because of their continuing or enduring value. The related term of archiving means: The conduct of all activities related to caring for records of continuing value.
Note: In the context of information technology the term archiving is also used to mean the action of backing up electronic records or data or storing such information offline, yet still available for future use.
B
best practices
The procedures and guidelines that are widely accepted because experience and research has demonstrated that they are optimal and efficient means to produce a desired result.
C
convenience copy
The unofficial copy that is maintained near the user for ease of access and reference. Also referred to as reference copy or access copy.
D
destruction
The definitive obliteration of a record beyond any possible reconstruction.
destruction hold
see litigation hold
digital
Any data or recorded information that exists as binary code (zeros and ones). Also referred to as electronic.
digital repository
An electronic storage area where documents and records are kept.
disposal
see disposition
disposition
For a record, the final action taken per the retention schedule, concluding with destruction, transfer, or permanent preservation.
document
Recorded information or object that can be treated as a unit.
Note: Document is a broad term and is not a synonym for record. Not all documents are records.
document imaging
A system consisting of hardware and software that converts source documents into digital format. Also referred to as scanning.
E
F
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
U.S. statute (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), enacted in 1974, to protect student and parent rights to access the student’s records kept by the school, and to restrict access to those records by others without the permission of the student or parents.
Note: This law is also commonly referred to as the Buckley Amendment, in reference to the bill’s sponsor. Text available at www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/.
folder-level inventory
A list of the titles of each folder in a particular box. This may be required when transferring a box to the Archives.
G
general records retention schedule
A general records retention schedule is one that describes records series broadly based on general business function categories and can be applied across the organization. General records retention schedules are needed when addressing organization-wide information processing systems.
Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principles® (GARP)
GARP is a framework of definitive principles for governing an organization’s information as a strategic asset. These information governance principles support organizational goals, facilitate compliance with regulatory, legislative, and information management requirements, and limit risks.
Note: Established by ARMA International in 2009, the principles were synthesized from authoritative international and national standards and global best practice resources for governing information.
H
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
HIPAA is the U.S. Public Law 104-191, enacted in 1996, that addresses the use of individuals' protected health information by organizations that are subject to the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information. Its goal is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Public Law 104-191, included Administrative Simplification provisions that required HHS to adopt national standards for electronic health care transactions and code sets, unique health identifiers, and security. At the same time, Congress recognized that advances in electronic technology could erode the privacy of health information. Consequently, Congress incorporated into HIPAA provisions that mandated the adoption of Federal privacy protections for individually identifiable health information.
Source: www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/index.html
Note: Text available at www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-104publ191/html/PLAW-104publ191.htm.
I
inactive record
An inactive record is one that is no longer required on a daily basis or to conduct current business, but is required to be preserved until it meets the end of its retention period.
Note: Inactive records are often located in a nominated secondary storage area be it physical or electronic.
J
L
legal hold
see litigation hold
lifecycle (of a record)
The lifecycle of a record refers to the major milestones of a record’s existence, subject to changing requirements: creation, use, retention, appraisal, and disposition.
litigation hold
A litigation hold is an order to refrain from disposing of specific information resources, including carrying out a scheduled destruction of records, due to foreseeable or pending litigation, governmental investigation, audit, or special organizational requirements. Also referred to as destruction hold or legal hold.
long term or enduring value
Long term or enduring value is the designation of a record that has been determined to have sufficient historical, administrative, legal, fiscal, or other value which warrants continuing retention.
M
metadata
Metadata is the structured information (approved, standardized lists of attributes) that describes, explains, locates, or otherwise makes it easier to retrieve, use or manage information resources.
Metadata is typically broken down into broad types that include, but are not limited to, administrative metadata, content metadata, descriptive metadata, preservation metadata, and structural metadata.
N
non-record
Non-record refers to any materials that are not records as defined by policy.
O
office of origin
The office of origin is the organizational unit that creates or originally receives a record. Also referred to as the originating department.
office of record
The office of record is the organizational unit designated to maintain the record or its official copy.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
A technology whereby a machine reads data from source documents and scans the characters for storage on a magnetic medium, providing text-searchable capabilities.
originating department
see office of origin
P
Q
R
Records Disposal Authorization (RDA)
see retention schedule
Records Liaison
A Records Liaison is a person responsible for coordinating an office's records and information management procedures. They are also the initial contact person for questions and concerns about records management from within their unit. Records and information management procedures include: creating file organization and maintenance structures, conducting inventories of records and information resources, transferring historic materials to the University Archives, and disposing of records according to the unit's Unit Plan.
records series
A records series is a group of related records filed/used together as a unit and evaluated as a unit for retention purposes. An example would be Personnel Employment Files which may consist of résumés, employment contracts, evaluation forms, etc.
reference copy
see convenience copy
reference materials
see transitory document
retention
Retention is the length of time required for keeping documents, records, and information resources to assure that they support business functions for as long as needed. Some records are required to be retained past their active support of business functions to support good financial recordkeeping practices or to meet legal or regulatory retention requirements. On top of these considerations for retention, some records have long-term or enduring value and are expected to be retained indefinitely.
retention schedule
A retention schedule is a list of records series including a brief description and indicating for each series the length of time it is to be maintained.
S
scanning
See document imaging
supporting documents
Documents that verify, authenticate, or otherwise ensure the reliability of the records.
system of record
The system of record is the system or software on which the official record resides.
T
transfer
To change custody, ownership, and/or responsibility for records. Most often transfer refers to moving records with permanent value to the University Archives.
transitory document
A transitory document is one this is of short-term value and that can be destroyed immediately or after meeting its transitory need. Also referred to as reference materials or working documents.
Note: E-mails that are not records are considered transitory documents.
trigger date
In a retention period, this is the date that starts the clock on how long the item needs to be retained until it reaches its disposal eligibility date. Often, trigger dates are different from the creation date of the item. For example: for items where the retention period is 6 years after separation from employment, then obtain State approval to dispose," the date that the separation from employment occurred is the trigger date (not the date of the item). In this case, the item in question would not be eligible for disposal until six years from that trigger date.
U
unit-specific records retention schedule
A unit-specific records retention schedule is a list of records series found within a unit, indicating for each series the length of time it is to be maintained. It may include an indication of period of retention in active office areas, inactive storage areas, and when and if such series may be destroyed or formally transferred to another entity, such as the University Archives for historical preservation.
University Archives
The University Archives is the official repository for records with permanent historical value related to or created by the University. Their mission is to select, preserve and make accessible an authentic record of the programs, people, and operations of the University.
V
vital record
A record that is fundamental to the functioning of an organization and necessary to the continuance of operations.
W
working document
see transitory document