Audio Recording of Lectures

The accommodation to audio record lectures through the use of an audio recording device allows students with disabilities to have equal access to receive and process information presented in class by supporting their notetaking needs. Methods of making an audio recording may include an audio recording device, a Livescribe pen, or the use of recording software on a laptop or a cellular or a cellular phone.

This accommodation is approved on an individual basis to ameliorate the symptoms that may impact a student within a classroom setting. Students who have been granted access to record audio lectures through the formal accommodation process, are subject to and agree to abide by the following conditions:

• Recordings of class lectures are only for the student's personal use in study and preparation related to the class. If a student is studying or preparing in a public or semi-private space, including a dorm room, library, coffee shop, community spaces, or others, they must ensure that any content is strictly limited to their personal use and not to be heard by others.

• The student may NOT share these recordings with any other person, whether or not that person is in their class.

• Recordings must remain on student’s personal device for personal use in study and preparation for course and cannot be shared or transferred by any method currently available or any method which may become available in the future. For instance, recordings may not be uploaded to file-sharing sites, posted on the web or to any form of social media, provided to journalists, newspaper, blogs or shared in any other way.

• The student acknowledges that the recordings of lectures are sources, the use of which in any academic work is governed by rules of academic conduct at Baylor University, in addition to federal copyright laws. Students acknowledge that course lectures and materials are the protected intellectual property of the professor, and the student could be subject to disciplinary action for violating those rights and this agreement. Student agrees to not upload, broadcast, publish, quote, share or release all or any part of these recordings.

• All students who receive this accommodation agree to destroy any recordings, in any and all formats, within 10 days from the completion of the academic term for the course.

Students who have been granted permission to audio record class lectures as an accommodation must agree to abide by each of these provisions and sign the OALA Audio Recording Agreement with the information noted above.

Common Faculty Concerns Regarding Implementation of Audio Recording Accommodation

Classes That Involve Contain Sensitive Material (i.e., Self-Disclosure)

Occasionally, courses may involve a great deal of self-disclosure, personal reflection, or confidential discussions from students or presenters as part of the class. As such, instructors may object to recording fearing that the recording device will inhibit students from sharing freely or would risk anonymity. In these cases, 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

If an instructor objects to the use of a recording device, it is typically because they maintain that their right to privacy of information discussed in the classroom is being violated or because there is a concern about a breach of copyright. However, the instructor’s right to privacy or concern over copyright does not override the student’s right to accommodation. It is the responsibility of the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation to see that the instructor’s concern for privacy and protection of copyright is respected and addressed while still assuring the availability of accommodation and access for the student.

This is done through OALA Audio Recording Policy and Agreement that students must agree and adhere to which details the specific limited use of the recordings and arranges for their disposal when the purpose of the recording has been fulfilled.

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.

If faculty have questions or concerns regarding the recording of their class discussions, the nature of the information presented and discussed, or any questions regarding our policy and this accommodation, please reach out the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation (OALA@baylor.edu)