The
MIT Institute records access policy was voted by the MIT Corporation
in May, 1980.
Rules
of access to Institute records are governed by the MIT Corporation.
Institute
archival records will normally remain closed for a maximum period
of twenty years from the date of their creation (the date on which
each document was written) unless the office of origin has designated
a shorter period.(1) The only records that are
closed for longer periods are:
- Corporation
and Executive Committee minutes - restricted for 50 years;
- Student
records - restricted for 75 years; and
- Personnel
records - restricted for 75 years.(2)
Other
records may be restricted for more than 20 years with the permission
of the Institute Records Committee.(3)
During
the restricted period the records will be available only to the
office of origin and the staff of the Institute Archives and Special
Collections department. Consideration will be given for access by
others when a written request is presented to the Institute Archivist
and a written approval has been obtained from the appropriate officer
in the office of origin or the appropriate Institute officer now
responsible for the function performed by the office of origin.
The
records of the Institute will be made available in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Institute Archives and Special
Collections department of the MIT Libraries.
This
policy will not impinge upon the normal administrative uses of Institute
records.
Notes:
(1)
The
opening date for files spanning several years will be 20 years
from the most recent date. Access will be given to material already
20 years old contained within a collection that is not yet open
when such material can be isolated from the rest of the collection.
(2)
Access by name to individual student and personnel records (e.g.,
for biographical studies) will be denied for 75 years from the
date the record was created. Access for aggregate studies (anonymous
studies of groups) will be considered in accordance with this policy
and the rules and regulations of the Institute Archives and Special
Collections department.
(3)
The Institute Records Committee, as defined in the Institute Archival
Policy, consists of:
- a)
the President's designee, representing the Corporation and the
Administration;
- b)
the Institute Archivist, representing the Director of the MIT
Libraries; and
- c)
the Dean of the appropriate School in the case of academic departments,
the Provost in the case of interdepartmental laboratories or other
interdepartmental entities, or the cognizant senior officer in
the case of administrative or other general Institute and alumni
offices.
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