The ability to record lectures allows students with disabilities equal access to receive and process information presented in class by supporting their notetaking needs.
Students who have been granted permission to audio record class lectures as an accommodation must agree to abide by each of these provisions:
- Recordings of class lectures are only for the student’s personal use in study and preparation related to the class.
- Recordings cannot be shared or transferred by any method currently available or any method which may become available in the future. Recordings may not be uploaded to file-sharing sites, posted on the web or to any form of social media, provided to journalists, or shared in any other way.
- The student acknowledges that the recordings are sources, the use of which in any academic work is governed by rules of academic conduct at Occidental College (in addition to federal copyright laws).
- The student agrees to destroy the recorded materials in any and all formats within 10 days from the completion of the term for the course.
Failure to adhere to the recording lecture policy may result in the loss of recording privileges and can be considered a code of conduct violation.
Classes That Contain Sensitive Material (i.e., Self-Disclosure)
Faculty may object to recording classes that involve a great deal of self-disclosure, personal reflection, or confidential discussions from students or presenters as part of the class, fearing that the recording device will inhibit students from sharing freely or would risk anonymity. However, it is important to remember that the use of the recording device is to substitute and support the student’s note taking ability. If these open discussions are not appropriate subject matter for any student to be taking notes, then it would be appropriate to make a general announcement to the class and ask all students to stop note-taking in addition to turning off any recording devices.
Faculty Right to Privacy and Protecting Copyright
Faculty may object to the use of a recording device because they maintain that their right to privacy of information discussed in the classroom is being violated, or due to a concern of a breach of copyright. However, it is important to understand that the right to privacy or concern over copyright does not override the student’s right to accommodation.
For more information on the rights of students approved for Audio Recording Lectures, please see the Office for Civil Rights – Q & A Regarding Audio Recording and the California Education Code 78907.