Classroom Recording Policy
Permission Required
The School of Law recognizes that class content is the intellectual property of individual faculty members. Therefore, students have an obligation to obtain faculty permission to record particular classes. The granting of such requests will not be automatic and is within the discretion of each faculty member. There is a strong presumption that faculty members will allow recording for makeup or review classes that are scheduled outside normal class time; for observance of religious holidays; and for court-ordered appearances in clinical matters.
Procedures
I. Circumstances That Involve More Than One Student
Makeup or Review Classes Scheduled Outside of Normal Class Time
Upon faculty request, Media Services will handle recording of makeup or review classes scheduled outside of normal class time. Where it is technologically feasible and practical to do so (as determined by Media Services) these recordings will be placed on the class Blackboard page. When a digital copy cannot be made, DVD or VHS tape copies of such will be made available in the media area on the third floor of the library.
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Observance of Religious Holidays
If a substantial number of students have indicated to the faculty member in advance that they will be absent, and where the class is held in a classroom equipped with the appropriate technology, the faculty member may request that Media Services record the class. Requests will be filled to the extent that resources are available. Where it is technologically feasible these recordings will be placed on the class Blackboard page. When Media Services determines that it is not practical to make a digital copy, DVD or VHS tape copies of such will be made available in the media area on the third floor of the library. If the class is held in a room without the necessary recording equipment or if only a few students are involved, the procedures described below should be followed.
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Inclement Weather
Where it is technologically feasible to make digital recordings of a class, faculty members may request that Media Services record the class and place that recording on the class Blackboard page. When Media Services determines that making a digital recording is not practical, faculty members may obtain blank tapes or DVDs from Media Services and follow the procedures set out below. After the class, recordings should be given to Media Services and made available in the media area on the third floor of the library.
II. Other Circumstances
In other circumstances the student must receive permission to record a class, first from Dean Cobb and if approved, from the professor. It is the student’s responsibility to seek the professor’s permission unless some other arrangement is made with Dean Cobb. After permission for recording is granted, students are responsible for providing blank media (Media Services will tell you what kind of media to provide for the room in question), and for coordinating arrangements with the faculty member. If clinical obligations are involved, permission for recording must be requested in advance with adequate time to allow consultation between the two faculty members. Options for recording include the following:
The faculty member can unlock the AV closet, insert the tape or DVD (whichever the room is equipped to handle), and operate the audio or video recorder. Audio recording is the only option in some rooms.
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The faculty member can ask that the student designate a classmate to use a portable audio recorder. This is the only option available in rooms without built-in equipment. Media Services maintains a supply of audio recorders available for loan.
It is expected that faculty members will announce their general policies on recording at the beginning of each semester. If a faculty member indicates that requests for recording may be granted in some circumstances, students are thereby on notice that their comments in any class may be recorded.
