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Electronic Records General Overview

Electronic technology has greatly expanded the methods of creating, editing, maintaining, transmitting, and retrieving records. Electronic records are clearly included in the definition of a record. All the rules for paper records apply to electronic records as well.

Electronic records should be created and stored in electronic files just as paper records are placed into filing cabinets. Careful consideration and planning is needed in the grouping and naming of these files. 

A document maintained in electronic format may be a convenience copy if the record copy is in another format, such as paper or microfilm. If the record copy in one format is destroyed, and the electronic information has not been destroyed, then the electronic file becomes the record copy. For this reason, it is very important to delete electronic files according to the Records Retention Schedule. Convenience copies should be kept only as long as needed and no longer than the record copy.

The Texas State Library Archives does not accept electronic records because of the potential for problems with the hardware and software dependability and stability and questions about the ability to access the information over the long term. The Texas State Library recommends that any record with a retention period of over 10 years be in paper or microfilm format. Other sources recommend establishing a migration plan for records requiring retention of over 3 years, due to the rapidly changing hardware and software standards.

The standards and procedures for electronic records require that a document created in an electronic format must have the ability to:

  • Be clearly identified on the system to enable staff to access the record.
  • Be retrievable by the hardware and software in use- must be able to migrate to any new systems as necessary.
  • Be protected and secure from unauthorized access and alteration.
  • Be disposed of in compliance with the organization’s retention schedule- must be disposed of in a manner that ensures protection of confidential information and does not allow for recovery.


The University provides computers, electronic mail, and Internet connection to employees to use in the course of performing their jobs. Personal use is expected to be incidental, and not interfere with work. The University reserves the right to monitor computer use, review employee files and e-mail, and to limit or restrict access to computer usage. Electronic files and e-mail are subject to the Texas Open Records Act and to discovery in the event of litigation.

The use of electronic mail has assumed an increasingly important role in the day-to-day communications of all university personnel. The use of e-mail in the course of business carries with it the responsibility to manage these communications as records. For a complete and accurate record, an electronic mail system must retain metadata (the address of the sender and recipient(s), date and time of transmission, and confirmation of receipt), as well as the actual message content. 

 

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