Is there an official University policy on recording classes?

There is no official university policy on recording classes. Currently, it remains the choice of the faculty member whether to record or allow student recordings (outside of cases of disability-related accommodations approved by the Office of Accessibility Services, when it is required by law).

What are some reasons one might choose not to record?

In cases outside of those required by law, a faculty member determines whether to record a class. During COVID, there were expectations that faculty would record classes for students, though faculty could opt out of recording discussions based on issues related to content. 

• For instance, some faculty petitioned to opt out of recording discussion because the content was specifically on race and gender and the recording had a dampening effect on the nature of discussion.
• Some faculty feel that discussion (as opposed to lecture) can be considered a part of attendance, and some faculty are not comfortable sharing discussion videos with students, who did not attend or participate in the creation of knowledge that happened within the discussion. Even in actual recordings, ideas and words lose context and meaning outside of the classroom experience. 
• Some faculty feel that students need to be present to have access to the content created in class.
• Some students may feel their privacy is compromised if they are recorded.

To address these concerns, engage with your students about their comfort levels with recording and make decisions based on their feedback.

What are some reasons one might choose to record?

 Recordings can be beneficial to student learning.

• It allows a chance to revisit materials, supporting the importance of repetition in the learning process and serving as study aids.
• It can be a first place for students to go for information if they have questions.
• Sometimes, students indicate that course lectures move so quickly that they cannot take notes fast enough, while also listening and absorbing the information. A recording allows students a chance to be attentive during the lecture and then to return to the recording to clarify or expand notes already taken.

If you choose to record classes, we recommend using Zoom to create recordings and upload them to Canvas through Panopto rather than allowing students to record independently.

Are students recording classes without the faculty member’s knowledge?

Faculty should be aware that students may record them without disclosing that they are doing so.

Because of this, some faculty just opt to record, knowing that it may be happening without their knowledge. If a faculty member chooses to record, please contact the CTE so we can provide support and assistance. 

What is Glean?

Glean is an assistive learning technology designed to help students capture and organize information from lectures. It offers features like audio recording, text notes, and task management options to address academic barriers. Glean is the only note taking assistive technology approved and distributed by the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) at Bryant University. Decisions to provide a Glean license as an accommodation are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If approved, the accommodation will appear on the faculty notification letter in the ClockWork portal. 

The OAS staff is available to provide a demonstration of Glean and to discuss the most effective and appropriate use of Glean in your classroom. 

What is an appropriate Syllabus Statement on Recording and Distribution of Class Sessions?

 In your syllabus, please include a clear statement regarding the recording of class sessions and the distribution of those recordings. Specify whether students are permitted to take audio or video recordings of your classes, as well as whether you will be recording the sessions and making those recordings available to students.

 Regardless of your decision, include the following note: “Except in cases of an approved accommodation from the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS)”

 Important Note: Student concerns about recordings are secondary to OAS-approved accommodations or your judgment regarding the overall academic success of the class.

 If you decide to record or allow students to record with your permission, please announce to all participants that the course may be recorded for academic purposes (without identifying individual recorders). Inform students that if they do not wish to appear in the recording, they should discuss this with you during office hours or before/after class.

 Syllabus Statement Sample: Any recordings made in this class are strictly for personal educational use. Students are prohibited from copying, publishing, or redistributing any portion of the class recordings to individuals not enrolled in the course or academic program without explicit permission from both the faculty member and any recorded students. Unauthorized distribution may violate educational privacy laws (FERPA) and copyright laws. Recordings are understood to be the intellectual property of the instructor.

What is Bryant’s OAS Class Recording Agreement?

The following is Bryant University’s OAS Recording Agreement that students with accommodations must sign for recording purposes.

Recording Agreement:

I understand that I have been granted permission by the University, based on my request for an accommodation for a qualified disability, to audio record lectures and discussions in [Class Name]. 

Student Name:

Semester:

In accordance with Bryant University policy, any recordings of class lectures are for my own personal use only and as an alternative to note taking. The class lectures as presented are the intellectual property of the professor, and comments made by my classmates are their own intellectual property, and/or may be subject to privacy protections under federal law. In some instances, in which personal discussion or student disclosure may take place, I understand that my professor may object to the use of an audio recorder to ensure freedom of expression and to protect privacy.

I understand that once I have no further need for these recordings for academic use, I must delete them. I further agree that I will not share or transfer these recordings by any method currently available or any method that may become available in the future. I will not give the recordings to others, upload them to file-sharing sites, post them to the internet, provide them to journalists, or share them in any other way.

I further understand that if I violate this agreement, the University will be entitled to take appropriate remedial action.

 Student Signature