Introduction to Records and Management

        Records management complements the field of archival administration in addition to being a required course for students taking the Records and information Management Certificate. This course provides an overview of the field of records management including the purpose of records management inventory, records appraisal, creation of records retention and disposal schedules, vital records protection, electronic records, micrographic and other non-paper-based storage systems, storage of active and inactive records, and the administration of records facilities.
        By the end of the course students will be able to describe the complementary relationship between records management and archival administration.  Students will also understand the role of records management in the document life cycle by conducting a records survey and preparing a records inventory and appraisal as well as retention and disposition schedules as part of course work.  Those tasks will assist studentsin defining the relationship between filing and records retention.  As part of this hands on coursework model students will learn to identify and select alternatives to paper storage of records including electronic and micrographic formats.  By mastering all of these concepts students will learn to evaluate complete records management programs and procedures for their efficiency and the efficacy of their specific provisions for things such as vital records protection.