Records Management Services, part of Harvard University Archives, provides guidance to University staff, faculty, and administrators on how to understand their responsibilities for stewarding and managing their records.
It is the Harvard University Archives’ responsibility to ensure “the prudent maintenance and efficient disposition of University records, consistent with sound archival standards, budgetary considerations, and legal obligations.”
Records Schedules
A tool for identifying different types of records and determining how long to keep them.
Trainings & Workshops
Learn more about managing University records.
Offsite Records Storage
Arrange for storage of your University records at the Harvard Depository.
Transferring Historically Significant Records
Help us preserve records that reflect Harvard's history and community.
University Records Guidance
The Harvard Corporation defines a University record as “recorded information regardless of physical characteristics, created, received, recorded, or legally filed in the course of University business.” Harvard's records — one of the University's most valuable assets — serve as evidence of the University’s organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, and other activities.
The University's records policies are designed to ensure that University records are retained for as long as is necessary and managed appropriately.
Managing Your Records
- Best Practice Retention Guidance for Zoom Recordings (PDF)
- Managing Email (PDF)
- Managing Email for Senior Administrators (PDF)
- SharePoint and OneDrive Guidance (PDF)
- E-Records Guidance (PDF)
- Faculty Files Guidance (PDF)
- Managing the Records of Departing Employees (PDF)
- PDF/A Instructions (PDF)
- Remote Work Records Guidance (PDF)
- Scanning Project Decision Tree (PDF)
- Tips for Office Clean-Ups and Moves (PDF)
- Using E-Sign to Complete RMS Forms (PDF)
Storing Records Offsite
Get Started/Set Up an Account
- New Records Center Account Request Form
- New Records Center Signature Sheet (PDF)
- Records Center Checklist (PDF)
- Storing Records at the Harvard Depository
- Tips for Managing a Records Center Account (PDF)
- Using E-Sign to Complete RMS Forms (PDF)
Request/Update Account Information
Deposit Records in an Offsite Storage Account
- Depositing Records in Offsite Storage: A Five-Step Guide (PDF)
- Deposit Box Folder List (Excel)
- Empty Box and Barcode Request Form
- New Deposit to Offsite Storage Account Request Form
Request Records To/From Your Account
Transferring Historically Significant and Permanent Records
Destroying Records
Contact
The Harvard University Archives is the primary repository for Harvard's institutional records. Records Management Services at the University Archives serves Central Administration, Harvard College, the graduate and professional schools (with the exception of HBS and the Longwood campus), research centers and institutes, and affiliated Harvard entities.
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Run by Baker Library and serving Harvard Business School
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Run by Countway Library and serving Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Records Management Services
Harvard University Archives
Pusey Library, Harvard Yard
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
