Student Records

Warning

Do not follow the records retention schedule to destroy records that are currently part of–or you are aware that they are going to be part of–any legal action or proceeding, litigation, audit, investigation, or review. For more information, see the Subpoenas for University Records Policy.

Matriculated Graduate Student Records

Schedule Number
410

These records document the academic progress of matriculated graduate, certificate, non-degree visiting, and Summer Minority Resource program students at Tufts. This series may include but is not limited to university academic transcripts; non-Tufts college transcripts; applications; notices of admission, readmission, denial and acceptance; grade reports; records of grade changes; reservation of credit requests; petitions for exemption from university regulations and procedures; applications for withdrawal from the University forms; advanced standing reports; and test scores.

Matriculated Graduate Student Records info
Record HolderRetention PeriodDisposition
Official Copy School Registrar’s Office

Permanent

Transfer to Tufts Archival Research Center or maintain in student information system.

Unofficial Copy Academic Departments and Programs

Degree completion or last enrolled + 5 years

Confidential destruction

Notes

Graduate student records are composed of a variety of paper and electronic records. Registrar’s offices confidentially destroy documents without enduring value from a student’s record at an appropriate time after a student separates from Tufts. Each registrar’s office determines which documents to destroy and the timing of their confidential destruction. Academic departments may have graduate student records that contain certification or licensure documentation that is not held by a registrar’s office. In general, these student records have enduring value. However, academic departments should consult with the Tufts Archival Research Center before determining their disposition.

In the unlikely event that Tufts University closes: Student records will be filed in compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s Notice of Closure Guidelines for Massachusetts Independent Institutions and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Considerations When Closing an Institution of Higher Education, Part B: Academic Records and Financial Aid Transcripts.

References
University Records Policy
Approved
Digital Collections and Archives
Effective Date
Updated

Matriculated Undergraduate Student Records

Schedule Number
420

These records document the academic progress of undergraduate matriculated students at Tufts. This series may include but is not limited to university academic transcripts; high school and non-Tufts college transcripts; applications; notices of admission, readmission, denial and acceptance; grade reports; records of grade changes; reservation of credit requests; petitions for exemption from university regulations and procedures; applications for withdrawal from the University forms; and advanced standing reports.

Matriculated Undergraduate Student Records info
Record HolderRetention PeriodDisposition
Official Copy Arts, Sciences, & Engineering Registrar’s Office

Permanent

Transfer to Tufts Archival Research Center or manage in student information system

Unofficial Copy Academic Departments or Programs

Degree completion or last enrolled + 4 years

Confidential destruction

Notes

Undergraduate student records are composed of a variety of paper and electronic records. The ASE Registrar’s Office confidentially destroys documents without enduring value from a student’s record at an appropriate time after a student separates from Tufts. Academic Departments may have undergraduate student records that contain certification or licensure documentation that is not held by the ASE Registrar’s Office. In general, these student records have enduring value. However, academic departments should consult with the Tufts Archival Research Center before determining their disposition.

In the unlikely event that Tufts University closes: Student records will be filed in compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s Notice of Closure Guidelines for Massachusetts Independent Institutions and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Considerations When Closing an Institution of Higher Education, Part B: Academic Records and Financial Aid Transcripts.

References
University Records Policy
Approved
Digital Collections and Archives
Effective Date
Updated
Last Reviewed

Non-Matriculated Graduate Student Records

Schedule Number
430

These records document graduate students who have been denied entry into degree or certificate programs or who have been admitted but have not enrolled. These records may include but are not limited to admission applications; academic transcripts from other institutions; test scores; letters of admittance; and related documentation and correspondence.

Non-Matriculated Graduate Student Records info
Record HolderRetention PeriodDisposition
Official Copy Graduate and Professional Studies or Graduate Degree Programs

2 years

Confidential destruction

Unofficial Copy N/A

N/A

N/A

Notes

None

References
None
Approved
Digital Collections and Archives
Effective Date
Updated

Non-Matriculated Undergraduate Student Records

Schedule Number
440

These records provide document of undergraduate students who have been denied entry into degree or certificate programs or who have been admitted but have not enrolled. These records may include but are not limited to admission applications; academic transcripts from other institutions; test scores; letters of admittance; and related documentation and correspondence.

Non-Matriculated Undergraduate Student Records info
Record HolderRetention PeriodDisposition
Official Copy Office of Undergraduate Admissions

1 year

Confidential destruction

Unofficial Copy N/A

N/A

N/A

Notes

None

References
None
Approved
Digital Collections and Archives
Effective Date
Updated

International Student Immigration Records

Schedule Number
445

These records refer to documents issued and retained in order to facilitate initial and ongoing immigration sponsorship and advisement of F-1 and J-1 international students. Such documents may include, but are not limited to, visa certificates (I-20 / DS-2019) copies, passport and visa copies, I-94 admission records, change of status notices, I-901 SEViS fee receipts, employment authorization documents, USCIS applications and notices, and supporting documents such as visa certificate applications, financial statements, advisor recommendations, reduced course load recommendations, advising notes, and other related records.

International Student Immigration Records info
Record HolderRetention PeriodDisposition
Official Copy International Center

Matriculated students: Last enrolled + 5 years

Non-matriculated students: Issuance + 3 years

Confidential destruction

Unofficial Copy Departments and Offices

N/A

N/A

Notes

None

References
None
Approved
International Center, University Counsel, and Digital Collections and Archives
Effective Date

Grade Sheets

Schedule Number
450

These records reflect grades awarded by instructors and serves as the basis for students’ official academic records. Records include student names and identification, course titles and numbers, sections, grades awarded, and instructors’ endorsement.

Grade Sheets info
Record HolderRetention PeriodDisposition
Official Copy School Registrar’s Office

Permanent

Transfer to Tufts Archival Research Center or maintain in student information system

Unofficial Copy Academic Departments and Programs

1 year

Confidential destruction 

Notes

None

References
University Records Policy
Approved
Digital Collections and Archives
Effective Date
Updated

Transcript Requests

Schedule Number
460

These records document students’ requests for transcripts to be sent to other institutions.

Transcript Requests info
Record HolderRetention PeriodDisposition
Official Copy School Registrar’s Office

Determined by School Registrar’s Office

Determined by School Registrar’s Office

Unofficial Copy N/A

N/A

N/A

Notes

None

References
None
Approved
Digital Collections and Archives
Effective Date
Updated

Student Discipline Records

Schedule Number
470

This series documents academic dishonesty and conduct violations among students. This series may include but is not limited to: incident reports, final reports, evidence, notification of allegation, suspension lists, disciplinary reports, informal discussion notes, formal hearing notes, final summary statements, decision statements, appeals documentation, and related documentation or correspondence.

Student Discipline Records info
Record HolderRetention PeriodDisposition
Official Copy School Dean of Students or Dean’s Office

Determined by School

Determined by School

Unofficial Copy Departments and Offices

Determined by School

Determined by School

Notes

None

References
None
Approved
Digital Collections and Archives
Effective Date
Updated

Degree Candidate Lists

Schedule Number
475

This series provides documentation of students eligible for degree confirmation.

Degree Candidate Lists info
Record HolderRetention PeriodDisposition
Official Copy Office of the Provost and School Dean’s Office

Permanent

Transfer to Tufts Archival Research Center

Unofficial Copy Academic Departments or Programs

Until no longer needed

Confidential destruction

Notes

None

References
None
Approved
Digital Collections and Archives
Effective Date
Updated

Faculty Advisor Records

Schedule Number
480

These records document the relationship between students and their faculty advisors.

Faculty Advisor Records info
Record HolderRetention PeriodDisposition
Official Copy Academic Departments or Programs or Individual Faculty Members

Degree completion or last enrolled + 1 year

Confidential destruction

Unofficial Copy N/A

N/A

N/A

Notes

Faculty members may retain advisor records longer for memory aid purposes.

References
None
Approved
Digital Collections and Archives
Effective Date
Updated