"University record means recorded information, in any format (eg electronic, paper, image) created or received by staff of the University in the course of conducting their University duties." Records Management Policy (MPF1106)
What is a University Record in practice?
A University record is evidence of work activity, capturing decisions made and actions taken, which exist in any formats (paper and digital information/data).
Examples of records
- Policies/processes
- Business unit planning documents
- Internal/external advice and reports
- Interactions between staff and students
- Research reports and data
- Legal agreements
- Authorisations and approvals
- Individual notes that inform high-level decision-making
Examples of record formats
- Hard copy/paper
- Emails
- Electronic/digital documents (e.g. Word documents, Excel spreadsheets)
- Internal & external websites, including social media
- Business applications & systems, including audit logs & data files
Case Study - Research Grants & Contracts
In the day-to-day business of my role, I create and receive a number of different types of records. I refer to our team administration documents to see what work I've been assigned. I manage email correspondence which includes applications and approvals for contracts to be executed, Budget Forms and general advice - those that capture the context of decisions made, I store in Content Manager. I also manage the contracts themselves from drafting to execution in Content Manager, sending any hard copy originals to Records Services for storage.
FAQ
What are examples of non-University records?
- Emails between team members making plans for lunch
- Marketing received from vendors
- Professional association subscriptions
- Publicly available information, e.g. copies of legislation
Are drafts and reference material a University record?
Yes. While drafts, transitory messages of short term value, rough notes and copies of material used only for reference may only need to be kept for a very short time, they are still created in the course of conducting University business and are therefore records.
GUIDE: Keeping & Destroying Records
More Information
Records Management Policy (MPF1106)
The University of Melbourne policy implemented to "facilitate legislative compliance and effective business practice and "protect University information assets as evidence of current practice and for future research".
The legislation which sets the specific requirements for effective management of public records, and provides the governing framework for Public Record Office Victoria and the Keeper of Public Records, and in turn the University as a public office.
Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) Standards & Policies
Further information, resources and tools for Victorian public agencies and staff.
Related Resources
What Records do I Need to Keep? - Download
A handy single page summary of what records need to be kept. Why not put a copy up in your shared work space, or include it when inducting new starters into your team?
What is a record? - Records Managed SharePoint
This short animation from the Records Online Project explains what is a University record and why it's important to save your business documents in a records managed system.
Records Guidelines and Processes
Access the University's process library in Promapp.
Services provided by the Records Services team
Explore the different ways we can assist you to manage your records.
Records Services can provide catered advice on the particular records you may create and/or manage.