Frequently Asked Questions
What is Records Management?
Records Management is the systematic and administrative control of records throughout their life cycle to ensure efficiency and economy in their creation, use, handling, control, maintenance, and disposition.
Who is responsible for Records Management?
All university employees have a responsibility for the records that they create, receive, and manage. All university employees should be aware of the records schedules that apply to the records they hold.
What is a public record?
In Wisconsin, public records include all materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received by any state employee while in connection with the transaction of public business.
What is not a public record?
In Wisconsin, a record does not include duplicates, notices, invitations, routing slips, and envelopes, personal material, or drafts prepared for a supervisor.
What about electronic records?
No exception. In Wisconsin, databases, imaged records, electronic documents, and email are all public records if they are connected to the transaction of public business. This includes voicemail, text messages, and instant messages.
What about destroying records in my office?
If they are personal records or non-records, they should be destroyed when they are no longer useful. If they are public records, it’s illegal for any employee to destroy a public record in their office without an approved record schedule (RDA).