Audio Recording of Lectures

Audio Recording of Lectures and Instructional Content

The accommodation to audio record lectures or other instructional content allows students with disabilities to have equal access to receive, review, and process information presented in class by supporting disability-related note taking and information processing needs.

Recording may occur through an audio recording device or through recording/notetaking software or technology approved by Baylor University for use with this accommodation. OALA provides every student approved for this accommodation with a free subscription to Baylor's designated recording/notetaking software. The designated software has undergone appropriate institutional review, including review by the Office of General Counsel.

This accommodation is approved on an individual basis through OALA's formal accommodation process.

Students approved for this accommodation must review and agree to the Baylor Audio Recording Policy and Agreement before using the accommodation.

Use and Limitations of Audio Recordings

Recordings and any associated transcripts are provided solely for the student's personal academic use in study and preparation related to the course. Students approved for this accommodation agree to the following:

Recordings and transcripts are for the student's personal academic use only. If a student is studying or preparing in a public or shared space, the student must ensure that recorded content is not heard or accessed by others.
Recordings and transcripts may not be shared with any other person, whether or not that person is enrolled in the course.
Recordings and transcripts may not be posted, uploaded, broadcast, published, sold, distributed, or otherwise made available through social media, file sharing services, websites, messaging platforms, or any other method.
Recordings and transcripts must remain within the student's personal device, personal account, or approved recording/notetaking platform used for the accommodation. Students are responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or distribution.
Course lectures, presentations, and materials may be protected by copyright, intellectual-property rights, and Baylor University policy. Information obtained through recordings may be used in academic work only in accordance with Baylor's academic integrity requirements, applicable citation requirements, copyright law, and other University policies.
The accommodation permits recording of instructional content presented during the class session. It does not authorize recording of private conversations before or after class, individual conversations not intended for the class, meetings with faculty outside the class session, or other interactions unless separately authorized by OALA or otherwise permitted by Baylor policy.
Students must permanently delete or destroy recordings and transcripts within 10 days after completion of the course and all associated academic responsibilities. If an incomplete, approved extension, pending academic review, or other University-approved circumstance requires continued access, recordings may be retained only for the duration necessary and must be destroyed within 10 days after that matter concludes.

Failure to comply with the Baylor Audio Recording Policy and Agreement may result in referral to the Honor Council and/or other appropriate Baylor University processes.

OALA may also conduct an individualized review of how the accommodation is being implemented and, when necessary, determine whether an effective alternative method of access is appropriate. Any modification to the manner in which the accommodation is provided will be determined by OALA through the individualized accommodation process.

Faculty Guidance for Implementation

Classes That Involve Sensitive Material or Self-Disclosure

Some courses include discrete discussions involving personal disclosure, confidential information, personal reflection, or other sensitive content from students or presenters. The audio recording accommodation is intended to provide access to instructional content and support the student's disability-related note taking or information processing needs.

During discrete portions of a class in which students generally would not be expected or permitted to take notes or create a record of the discussion, an instructor may ask all students to discontinue note taking and may direct a student using the recording accommodation to pause the recording. Any such restriction should be limited to the specific portion of class for which the restriction is necessary and should not be used to prohibit recording of the course as a whole.

An approved audio recording accommodation is not subject to the permission of the instructor or other students. If the nature of a course results in frequent or substantial restrictions on recording that may affect the student's access to instructional content, the faculty member should contact OALA. OALA will conduct an individualized review and determine whether the accommodation can be implemented as approved or whether an effective alternative is necessary.

Faculty Privacy, Copyright, and Course Specific Concerns

Faculty concerns regarding privacy, copyright, academic freedom, or course format do not, by themselves, permit a faculty member to deny, modify, or discontinue an audio recording accommodation approved by OALA.

The Office of Access and Learning Accommodation is responsible for addressing legitimate privacy, copyright, and course-specific concerns while ensuring that the student continues to receive effective disability-related access. These concerns are addressed in part through the Baylor Audio Recording Policy and Agreement, which limits recordings and transcripts to the student's personal academic use, prohibits sharing or distribution, and requires their deletion or destruction when the authorized academic purpose has concluded.

If a faculty member believes that recording presents a course-specific concern, they should contact OALA rather than independently restricting the accommodation. OALA will work with the faculty member and student through an individualized review to address the concern while ensuring effective disability-related access. Questions regarding the policy or implementation of the accommodation should be directed to OALA@baylor.edu

Faculty and students may also review the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights resource, Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities, for additional legal information and rights regarding auxiliary aids in postsecondary education as an accommodation.