DSS approves audio record lectures as a reasonable accommodation. When this accommodation is approved, students may use their smartphones, computer software, such as Genio (formerly Glean), tablets, digital recorders, and other electronic devices to record class lectures.
Approved students must inform faculty that they intend to audio record the class. Faculty may require that the student complete a recording agreement with them.
- The University procedure for audio recording lectures (PDF) (by the University Legal Counsel).
- Suggested Classroom Recording Contract form (Word).
Notable Points
For students
- Students must inform faculty promptly that they are requesting an accommodation to record the class sessions. Students must provide faculty with an accommodation letter identifying audio-recording classes as a reasonable accommodation.
- When faculty require students to complete the classroom recording contract, students should complete the Classroom Recording Contract form and email it to the faculty member and to DSS.
For faculty
- Faculty can require the student to use the Classroom Recording Contract to protect faculty’s proprietary interest in their classroom lectures.
- Faculty should inform the other students in the class that audio or video recordings of classroom activity will be made before any recording takes place. However, faculty must make reasonable efforts to protect the privacy of the student requesting the accommodations.
- If faculty are concerned that recording the class will fundamentally alter the classroom experience or another extenuating circumstance exists, they should contact DSS to discuss other means of providing the accommodation.
- Students may use a software tool, Genio (formerly Glean), for recording lectures. Faculty with concerns about intellectual property rights, data security, and privacy protection should refer to information provided by UM IT (PDF).