The Department Specific Retention Schedule lists the records identified by NMU departments as their critical or most-produced records.
Other records retention periods are listed in the General Retention Schedule, which covers broad categories that span multiple departments, or in the Records that do not need to be Retained sections.
The Department Specific Retention Schedule is organized by department.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
Academic Career and Advising Center
Academic Proficiency Records | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy. |
First Year Experience Records | Retain block scheduling records 5 years and then purge. Retain all other records as needed. |
Freshman Probation Project File | Confidentially destroy once the student leaves probation. |
Orientation Program Records | Permanent. Retain 2 years in office and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Probationary Student File | Retain 7 years after the file has been declared inactive and then confidentially destroy. |
Alumni Association
Alumni Board Member Records | Permanent |
Athletic and Recreation Facilities
Building Income and Invoice Records | Retain 2 years in office and then transfer to the University Records Center for a total retention of 7 years. |
Daily and Event Deposit Records | Retain 2 years in office and then transfer to the University Records Center for a total retention of 7 years. |
Ticket Sales Records and System Database | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy or purge. |
Audio-Visual Services
Audio-Visual Services Media | Retain until no longer needed and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees Closed Session Minutes | Retain 1 year plus current and then confidentially destroy. |
Board of Trustees Session Recordings | Retain one year and destroy provided the minutes have been approved by the Board of Trustees. |
Internal Audit Reports | Permanent. Retain 5 years in office and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Proposed Audit Plan | Permanent. Retain 5 years in office and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Planning Files | Retain 3 years plus current year and destroy provided materials relating to anything which transpired during Board meetings and substantive texts during Board social events are transferred to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Bookstore
Career Services
Employer Campus Interview File | Retain hardcopy for 2 years and then destroy. |
Center for Student Enrichment
New Student Organization Files | Permanent. Transfer inactive organizations to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Charter Schools
Charter Schools Contracts | Retain 5 years or until superseded. |
Compliance Monitoring Records | Retain 7 years following termination of contract and then purge from the system. |
Closed Charter School Records | Permanent, unless transferred to another charter school. |
Counseling and Consultation Services
Client Case Files | Retain 7 years after date of last activity and confidentially destroy. |
Dean of Students Office
Dean of Students’ Student Record/Withdrawal Records | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Student Activity Fee Files | Retain financial records 5 years and destroy, provided all other records are transferred to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Student Conduct Records | Files related to suspensions, suspension held in abeyance, and expulsions & end of semester violation summaries are retained permanently. All other records are retained 7 years and then confidentially destroyed. |
Dean of Students Office—Disability Student Services
Disability Services Student Records | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Department of English
English Placement Records | Retain 3 years plus current and then confidentially destroy. |
Department of Music
Student Audition Records | Retain until no longer needed and confidentially destroy. |
Department of Physics
Premedical Advisory Board Student Evaluation Records | Retain 20 years after last activity and then confidentially destroy. |
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Client Records | Retain records of child clients until age 21 and retain records of adult clients 7 years following end of service and then confidentially destroy. |
Student Clinical Records/Graduate Files | Retain 30 years following completion of the program and then confidentially destroy. |
Department of Surgical Technology
Program and Clinic Records | Retain 6 years after completion of program or date of last attendance and then confidentially destroy. |
Engineering and Planning
Equal Opportunity
Applicant Data File | Retain 5 years after the date of hire and destroy provided there is no litigation pending. |
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC and Office of Civil Rights) Case Files | Retain 5 years after final disposition and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Informal Complaint and Investigation Record | Retain 5 years following resolution of complaint provided no litigation is pending. |
Internal Grievance Case Files | Retain 6 years after final appeal within the University and then confidentially destroy. |
Finance and Planning
Bank Reconciliation Records | Retain 7 years plus current. |
Budget Development Records | Retain 3 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Budget Reductions | Permanent. Retain as needed and then transfer to the University Records Center. |
Budget Request Records | Retain budget request book permanently and transfer to the University Records Center as needed. Retain all other records 4 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Budget Revisions and Directives | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Disbursement Checks | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Heidi Reporting Records | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy or purge. |
IPEDS Records | Retain 4 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Union Negotiation Records | Permanent. Retain as needed and then transfer to the University Records Center. |
Forest Roberts Theater
Health Center
Controlled Substance Inventory | Retain 5 years and then confidentially destroy. |
HIV File | Retain 3 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Lab Reports File | Retain 2 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Medicaid Financial file | Retain 6 years plus current and confidentially destroy provided there is no audit pending. |
Patient Census Statistical Reports | Retain monthly reports 5 years plus and transfer year end reports to the University Records Center for permanent retention. |
Patient Medical Records | Retain 4 years after student and/or employee terminates and confidentially destroy provided the records are scanned and maintained electronically. |
Prescription Records | Retain 5 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Human Resources
Applications File | Retain 5 years after date of hire and confidentially destroy provided there is no litigation pending. |
Benefits File | Retain personally identifiable information for 6 years and confidentiality destroy. Retain information relating to benefit areas until superseded and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Faculty Medical Records | 30 years following termination of employment. Records should be transferred to the University Records Center in a sealed/confidential envelope 6 months following termination of employment. |
Flexible Spending Accounts | Retain two years in office then transfer to the University Records Center for a total retention of six years. |
Grievance File | Retain 30 years after the case is closed and confidentially destroy. |
Job Descriptions | Retain 5 years after inactive or superseded and destroy. |
Official Personnel Record | Permanent. Paper copies of scanned Personnel Records can be confidentially destroyed following verification of proper storage in Xtender. |
Official Faculty Personnel Record | Permanent. Paper copies of scanned Personnel Records can be confidentially destroyed following verification of proper storage in Xtender. |
Questionnaire File | Confidentially destroy provided the entire position titling/grading system has been superseded. |
Scanned Official Personnel/Faculty Records | Paper copies of scanned Personnel Records can be confidentially destroyed following verification of proper storage in Xtender. |
Staff Medical Records | Retain 7 years following termination of employment and then confidentially destroy. |
Unemployment Claims and Quarterly Reports | Retain 3 years plus current year and confidentially destroy provided there is no appeal pending. |
Union File | Retain 10 years plus current and transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Human Resources—Payroll
IACUC
Protocols | Retain for 3 years after inactive and confidentially destroy. Protocols funded by grants must be provided to the Controller’s Office and follow Grant Project File retention rules. |
Injury Evaluation and Care Clinic (IECC)
IECC Patient Records | Retain 7 years after date of last activity and then confidentially destroy or purge, provided annual reports are transferred to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Intercollegiate Athletics
Advising, Tutoring, and Referral Services Records | Retain 7 years following graduation or date of last attendance and confidentially destroy provided no litigation is pending. |
Game Agreement Records | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Inactive Athlete and Group Files | Retain 7 years following graduation or date of last attendance and confidentially destroy or purge provided no litigation is pending. |
NCAA Compliance Forms | Permanent. Retain 6 years in office and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Intercollegiate Athletics—Athletic Training
Athletic Training Accreditation and Continuing Education Records | Permanent |
Intercollegiate Athletics—Athletic Training & Olympic Training Site
Student Athlete Insurance Claim | Retain 7 years following graduation or date of last attendance and confidentially destroy provided no litigation is pending. |
Internal Audit
Internal Audit Work Papers | Retain 6 years and then destroy. |
International Programs
Broadcast and Audio Visual Services
Individual Campaign Fundraising Records | Retain 7 years following last activity with donor. |
Program Provider Records | Retain 7 years following last activity and then confidentially destroy. |
Underwriting Contracts | Retain 20 years following last activity with underwriter and then confidentially destroy. |
Library Instructional Support
Donor Files | Permanent. |
Fine Appeal Records | Retain 1 year following resolution of final appeal. |
Inter-Library Loan (ILL) Records | Retain 2 years and then purge or destroy. |
Patron Registration and Request Forms | Retain 1 year plus current and confidentially destroy. |
Purchasing Basis of Award | Retain 4 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Reserve Request Forms | Retain 5 years and then purge or destroy. |
Standing Orders | Retain 4 years after agreement is canceled and confidentially destroy provided no standing audit. |
Vendor Licensing Agreements | Retain 7 years following end of agreement and then confidentially destroy. |
Library Instructional Support—University Archives
Donor Files | Permanent |
Patron Registration and Request Forms | Retain 1 year plus current and confidentially destroy. |
Micro Repair
NMU Foundation
Check Records | Retain 6 years and then confidentially destroy |
Consultant Reports | Permanent. |
Daily Accounting Reports | Retain 6 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Development Fund Management Information Reports | Retain end of year cumulative reports 10 years and destroy. COM negative is permanent retention. |
Development Fund Minutes | Retain 3 years and transfer to Records Center. |
Donor Cash Receipts | Retain 6 years and then confidentially destroy. Retain donor checks 2 years and confidentially destroy. |
Donor Club Records | Permanent. |
Fund Record | Permanent. Retain 6 years in office and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Journal Entry | Retain 4 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Major Donor File | Permanent. |
Monthly Bank Statements | Retain 6 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Monthly Investment Portfolio Reports | Retain 4 years and then confidentially destroy. Retain year-end reports and spreadsheets for transfer to the Records Center. |
NMU Press Records | Retain until end of publication. Retain financial records 4 years following closure of account. |
Office of Admissions
Admission Report File | Retain 10 years plus current and confidentially destroy provided ACT Profiles and Admissions and Enrollment Reports are transferred to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Campus Visit File | Retain 1 year plus current and then confidentially destroy. |
Freshman and Transfer Student Application Records | Retain hardcopy 2 years after application term and confidentially destroy following digital conversion. |
International Student Application Records | Retain hardcopy of non-enrolled and enrolled files for 5 years after application term and confidentially destroy following digital conversion. |
Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development
Non-Credit Program Records | Retain all appraisal records permanently and transfer to the University Records Center. Retain all other records 7 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Workforce Development Program Records | Retain 5 years following completion of program and then confidentially destroy. |
Office of Graduate Education and Research
Freshman Fellowship Program Records | Retain 5 years and then confidentially destroy, provided student applications and essays are transferred to the University Records Center for permanent retention. |
Graduate Faculty Status Application Records | Retain 10 years after date of last activity and then confidentially destroy. |
Graduate Student Admission Records | Retain any hardcopies or supplemental student records 7 years and then destroy provided all records are batch scanned into Axiom/Banner. |
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Records | Permanent. Retain in office until no longer needed and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Thesis Signature Records | Retain 1 year plus current and destroy provided the record is scanned and included in the student's official university record. |
Office of Grants and Contracts
External Grant Application File | Retain 7 years after project completion and then confidentially destroy. |
Internal Grant Application File | Retain 7 years after project completion and then confidentially destroy. |
Office of Housing and Residence Life
Paraprofessional Staff Records | Retain 7 years after employee separation and then confidentially destroy. |
Residence Assignment Records | Retain in office 2 years and then transfer to the University Records Center for a total retention of 7 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Special Permission Release Records | Retain 5 years from request submission and then confidentially destroy. |
Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment
Teaching Load Reports | Retain as needed and then confidentially destroy or purge. |
Police Department
Background Checks | Retain 2 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Billing Journal | Retain 4 years plus current and then confidentially destroy. |
Bike Registration Cards | Retain 10 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Building Security Checklist | Retain 2 years plus current and then destroy provided no pending litigation. |
Dispatch Logs and Forms | Retain 2 years in office and then transfer to the University Records Center for a total retention of 10 years. |
Manifests, Lamp Recycling & Drug and Lab Disposals | Retain 3 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Material Safety Data Sheet Records (MSDS) | Retain 30 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Overtime Equalization Records | Retain 3 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Parking Registration Forms and Temporary Registration Cards | Retain hardcopy 1 year plus current and confidentially destroy. Retain electronic record 5 years and then purge. |
Parking Tickets | Retain 4 years plus current and then confidentially destroy provided no pending audit. |
Police Incident Reports/Complaints | Retain homicide reports permanently. Retain felony reports current plus 20 years, retain misdemeanor reports current plus 7 years, and retain non-criminal reports current plus 3 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Police Officer's Daily Activity Report | Retain 5 years plus current in office and then transfer to the University Records Center for a total retention of 10 years. |
Safety and Security Records | Retain 10 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Ticket Citation and Complaint Logs | Retain 3 years and then confidentially destroy. |
University Key Control Records | Retain until employee separates from the university and then confidentially destroy. |
Weapons Registration | Retain 2 years, or as long as weapon is maintained on campus, and then confidentially destroy. |
Work Incident Reports | Retain 6 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Clery Information to include Campus Security Authorities Reports, PD Daily Crime Logs, PD Daily Fire Log, List of CSA's, List of CSA's training, Correspondence with outside agencies referenced to Clery Reporting, Annual Security Reports (including Fire and Security), Clery or Patrol Maps, Title IX or Dean of Students Correspondence referenced to Clery, Audit trail documentation, Clery Committee meeting notes | Retain 7 years from the last year that statistics were reported. Reporting takes place Oct. 1st for the previous year. |
Office of Records and Registrar
Athletic Eligibility Records | Retain athlete records 10 years after date of first enrollment. Retain eligibility reports for one year after certification and then confidentially destroy. |
Complete Withdrawal Records | Retain complete withdrawal forms and back dated 'W' memos for 5 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Course Registration Audit Trails | Permanent |
Credit Substitution Records | Retain 5 years after graduation or date of last attendance. |
Dean's List Record | Permanent |
Degree Evaluations (Audit) | Retain 5 years after graduation or one year after the date of last attendance and then confidentially destroy. |
Drop/Add Records, Administrative Drop for Non-attendance Records | Retain 3 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Grade Change/Incomplete Forms | Permanent |
Graduate/Undergraduate Course Permission Forms | Retain 3 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Guest Applications | Retain 1 year after course completion and then confidentially destroy. |
Historic Student Record Card | Permanent |
Michigan Residency Request Records | Retain 5 years plus current and then confidentially destroy. |
Name/Address Change Form | Retain 5 years after graduation or date of last attendance and then confidentially destroy. |
Official Student Transcripts | Permanent |
Refund Appeal Records | Retain 5 years following request. |
Returned Diplomas | Retain 5 years after graduation and then destroy. |
Roster Maintenance Records | Retain mid-semester and beginning rosters for 3 years and then confidentially destroy. Maintain graded rosters and 10 day rosters permanently. |
Session Codes | Retain final copy permanently. |
Student Academic Record File | Permanent. Retain hardcopy batched records 5 years after graduation and confidentially destroy. |
Student Enrollment Verification Records | Retain 1 year after verification and then confidentially destroy. |
Study Abroad Credit Approval | Permanent |
Transcript Requests | Retain 1 year after request and then confidentially destroy. |
Office of the Controller
Adjusting Entries | Retain 15 years or until the records are reviewed by the Controller. Beginning in 2020, the Controller began weeding and splitting adjusting entries into "year-end/extraordinary adjusting entries" and "other adjusting entries" with two different retention periods. |
Detail Records of Transactions | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Endowment File | Permanent |
Federal Cash Draw Down Records | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Management Information Reports | Retain cumulative reports 30 years plus current and then confidentially destroy. |
Student Receivable Files | Retain 5 years and then purge. |
System Monitoring Reports | Retain 1 year and then destroy provided there is no pending audit. |
Year-End Balance Sheet by Fund | Retain month end reports for 1 year plus current. Retain year-end reports permanently. |
Office of the President
Commencement Speaker File | Permanent. Retain 4 years plus current and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |
External Affairs Records | Permanent |
Presidency File | Permanent. |
Student Relations Records | Permanent |
Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Faculty Grievance File | Retain in office 5 years and then transfer to the University Records Center for a total retention of 30 years. |
Faculty Labor Relations File | Permanent. Retain last negotiated contract records in office and transfer previous contract records to the University Records Center. |
Immigration Status Records | Retain 3 years following end of appointment provided no pending litigation and then confidentially destroy. |
President's Council of State Universities of Michigan Records | Retain 5 years in office and then destroy provided any NMU program proposals are transferred to the University Records Center for preservation. |
Olympic Training Site
Printing and Mail Services
Job Ticket Files | Retain in office 3 years and then transfer to the University Records Center for a total retention of 6 years. |
Printing Services
Copy Report | Retain 1 year plus current and then confidentially destroy. |
Purchasing
Records Management
Records Destruction File | Permanent. Retain in office until no longer needed and then transfer to the University Records Center. |
University Records Center Accession Records | Retain non-permanent record series’ forms 1 year plus current. Maintain all other forms permanently for preservation. |
Recreation and Club Sports
Equipment Rental Forms | Retain 2 years and then confidentially destroy provided no audit is pending. |
Outdoor Recreation Program Records | Retain 3 years following end of program and then confidentially destroy or purge, provided surveys, summary reports, and itineraries are retained permanently. |
Recreation and Club Sport Waiver Records | Retain 7 years and then confidentially purge destroy or purge. |
Recreation Memberships, Guest Passes and Locker Rental Records | Retain 2 years and then confidentially destroy. |
Risk Management
School of Education, Leadership, and Public Service
Graduate Thesis Papers | Permanent |
Student Teaching Records | Retain 7 years after graduation or date of last attendance and then confidentially destroy. |
Teaching Certification Files (MTTC) | Retain 5 years after graduation or date of last attendance and then confidentially destroy. |
School of Nursing
Clinical Lab and LPN Graduate Files | Retain 3 years after graduation or date of last attendance and then confidentially destroy. |
Simply Superior
Catering Contract Records | Retain hardcopy 7 years and delete electronic data every two years. |
Student Services Center
Daily Reports File | Retain 7 years and then confidentially destroy provided there is no pending audit. |
Financial Aid Overage Checks | Retain until no longer needed and then confidentially destroy. |
Perkins Loan Borrower's File | Retain 5 years following loan pay off and then confidentially destroy. |
Student Support Services
Technology and Occupational Sciences
Vocational Certification Files | Retain 50 years after the initial certification recommendation and then confidentially destroy. |
University Marketing and Communications
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services
Mortar Board Records | Keep applications 3 years and confidentially destroy, provided all other records are maintained permanently. |
Student Travel Fund Records | Retain requests 3 years and participation logs permanently. |
Vice President for Finance and Administration
WNMU-TV
WMNU Media | Retain until no longer needed and then transfer to the University Records Center for preservation. |