Zoom Recordings Retention Policy and Guidelines
Zoom allows users to store recordings of meetings or class sessions locally on their own device or in the Zoom cloud. While the latter provides integrated options for sharing, the Zoom cloud is not intended for permanent storage of recorded events, meetings and/or classes. The space is limited and shared. To ensure adequate storage to record meetings and classes, recordings on Zoom cloud storage must be removed regularly.
Recordings will remain on Zoom for 30 days after the end of each semester, after which they will be permanently deleted. Please review your recordings and delete any you no longer need. If you need the files, move them to OneDrive. See our documentation on moving Zoom recordings to OneDrive for assistance. As of August 1, 2024, Zoom recordings are NOT automatically copied to Kaltura.
Guidelines for Recording
The following guidelines for recording video are based on privacy and FERPA guidelines. Please note these apply to all class recordings, regardless of the platform used.
- Transparency: At the beginning of each class, remind students that you are going to record the class session. Additionally, you may want to include written notice in your syllabus.
- Purpose: Consider the reason for recording your class session or meeting. Recordings should be intentional, not a default setting, and have a pedagogical purpose. One-on-one meetings, advising sessions, etc. should not be recorded.
- Quality: Record only the portions of class that are most useful to students. Consider pausing the recording when open discussion or small group work begins.
- Privacy: Students may be more uncomfortable speaking or turning their cameras on while the class is being recorded. Consider pausing the recording during open discussions to encourage participation. If you require students to turn their cameras on during class, consider allowing them to turn their cameras off while the class is being recorded.
- Retention: Class recordings should be deleted after the end of the semester during which they were made. If you have pedagogical or research reasons for wishing to keep these recordings longer, please consult with RIT or/and IRB to develop a plan for storage and access.
If you are conducting and recording classes using other software, such as Teams, LITS recommends that you share the videos via Kaltura. Streaming platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo are not recommended, especially if the recordings include students.
