Whether you’re a college journalist or covering higher education for another outlet, the first thing you should find  is the university’s record retention policy. The document, sometimes called the record management policy, handles what document is held by what department and for how long.

Getting it online, through a FOIA request, or from a university employee will simplify your document  searches, especially if you’re filing FOIA requests. For example, take a look at the University of Missouri’s record retention policy. It has an alphabetical list of every file the university produces, as well as which ones are considered confidential. Knowing the name of the document you’re looking will mean more accurate requests and interviews with sources, and it can give you ideas for stories too.

Come to think of it, this should be standard practice when covering any institution.

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