Common questions

The Information & Records Management team are available to support you with managing your records effectively. You may find the answer to your question on this page but if you are unsure or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

How can Information & Records Management help me?

We are on hand to provide you with advice and support with all aspects of record keeping for information in all formats, including areas such as policy and best practice, how to organise your information, setting and applying retention periods, email, and Microsoft365. We also run the Records Centre for storage and retrieval of records and arrange for collection and destruction of confidential waste.

Contact us for information about the services we offer or for further guidance and information.

What are the benefits of good records management?

You need to manage your records in order to meet University policy and also legal requirements. If you spend some time setting up good records management systems, you will also find that they can save a lot of time and stress in the long run. Learn more about the fundamentals of good records management.

How do I send records for storage?

Details about storing, and retrieving, records using the Records Centre are available on our website.

Are records in the Records Centre kept confidential/secure?

Yes. Only authorised individuals have access to the records that you send for storage - other Departments cannot access them. Feel free to discuss access requirements with us.

What are the waiting times for accessing services?

Many departments bring their own material to us, and we will arrange for a mutually convenient time in advance. For those departments without their own transport, we pick up material every Thursday.

If you have large amounts of records or particular deadlines (e.g. an office move), it is important that you arrange for collections well in advance of needing items removing.

If you have concerns about the security of the material or the health and safety issues of storing it while it is waiting to be collected, then please contact us to discuss.

How long should I keep a record?

It all depends on the type of record. The Records Retention Schedule is designed to help you decide, and there are a range of guidance notes with advice on specific topics of records management. If you are still unsure, contact us for assistance.

For further guidance on applying retention periods to your records, please see the Records Retention Guide, available on Microsoft Sway with your staff login details.

Can you help me retrieve something I accidentally posted into the confidential waste console?

We hold a spare set of keys and can access the consoles in cases like this. We keep a log of who makes the request and which console(s) are accessed. If it is an emergency and you are unable to contact us then please get in touch with the IT Service Desk.

Are there any opportunities to undertake work experience in records management?

We do not have any opportunities for voluntary work, but every year we hire a Graduate Trainee Records Management Assistant for a two-year period. The role is advertised in February on the University website and the UK archives listserv.

This position is designed for students who are studying part-time on the Master of Archives and Records Management programme. 

What if I want to store research data with you?

We do store paper research data in the University Records Centre, usually for a ten year period unless you have a different retention requirement, for example if mandated by funding obligations. If you wish to store such data or have a query around this, please email us and copy in the Research Data Management Team. 

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