Audio recording lectures
ODE 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.
Approved students must inform faculty in advance 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)
- Classroom Recording Agreement Form (Word)
Recording agreement for students
Students approved to record classroom sessions as a reasonable accommodation must agree to the following:
Academic use only
Students understand that recordings are solely for their academic benefit, as recommended by ODE.
Instructor notification
Students must provide faculty with their accommodation letter identifying recording as an approved accommodation before recording any lectures, discussions, or classroom activities.
Class notification & privacy
Students understand that faculty must inform the class that recording will take place. Faculty will also make reasonable efforts to protect the privacy of the student approved for recording.
No sharing with other students
Students will not share recordings with any other student, whether or not they are enrolled in the class, without the instructor’s permission.
No external distribution
Students will not share recordings with any other person, platform, or medium without the instructor’s permission.
Intellectual property & legal compliance
Students understand that recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor. Unauthorized sharing violates the UM Student Code of Conduct, University Policy, and applicable copyright laws.
End-of-term deletion
At the instructor’s request, students will delete or destroy all recordings at the end of the academic term.
For students
- Students inform faculty promptly that they are requesting an accommodation to record the class sessions.
- Students complete the Classroom Recording Agreement form (Word) and email the form to faculty.
For faculty
- Faculty may require students to complete the classroom recording agreement to protect the proprietary nature of their course lectures.
- Before any audio or video recording occurs, faculty should inform the class that recording will take place. At the same time, faculty must take reasonable steps to protect the privacy of the student receiving the accommodation.
- Faculty are encouraged to make a brief verbal announcement in class and post a recording notice in Canvas.
Sample class recording announcement
This class may be recorded to provide disability accommodations for students. Class recordings are intended solely for educational use and may not be shared, reproduced, or used for any non‑course‑related purpose without my express permission. Students who improperly distribute electronic course materials or class recordings may be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct.
- If faculty believe that allowing a recording would fundamentally alter the classroom experience or if other significant concerns arise, they should contact the student’s access consultant to explore alternative ways to meet the accommodation.
- Students may use a recording tools such as Genio (formerly Glean). Faculty with concerns about intellectual property rights, data security, and privacy protection should refer to information provided by UM IT (PDF).