Class Recordings Retention Policy

Retention Policy

Class recordings are available up to 30 days after the class end date for video conference courses and two weeks into the next semester for non-video conference courses. Due to FERPA restrictions, video conference courses will be deleted. Instructors must report incomplete grades prior to avoid deletion. Instructors  may access non-video conference recordings, after the two week period, via wsu.hosted.panopto.com. Instructors can share recordings, via the hosted Panopto website, if they wish to allow student access.

Instructor FAQ

  • What is FERPA?
    Please visit Notification of Student Rights Under FERPA for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Information.
  • Are video or audio recordings of classroom lectures a protected student record?
    If a recording includes only the instructor, it is not a student record and FERPA does not limit its use. If the recording includes students asking questions, making presentations or leading a class (other than TAs), and it is possible to identify the student, then it does constitute protected educational records.  
  • I am an instructor and want to share the recording of past classes with my current class. Can I do this?
    Under FERPA, this situation must be treated as if the recordings were being shown to a third-party audience which requires FERPA compliance through use of consents or de-identification of any students depicted. Video conference courses capture student images and therefore are not able to be shared. Courses recorded by the instructor, in room, using a Cougar Capture tool do not capture student images and can be shared.
  • I am an instructor. How do I share past course recordings not in FERPA violation?
    Courses not falling under the protection of FERPA may be accessed within your course space for one year after the course end date. After that, all recordings may be accessed via wsu.hosted.panopto.com.
  • I am an instructor and have a student with an incomplete grade. How do I grant them continued access to course recordings?
    Contact the AOI team at online.registrar@wsu.edu for all WSU courses.
  • I am an instructor and want to make my course accessible. Who do I contact?
    Contact the AOI media team at aoi.media@wsu.edu.
  • Who do I contact if I need assistance?
    If you do not see the answer to your question in the FAQs, please send an email request to ats.aoi@wsu.edu.

Student FAQ

  • I am a student and want to watch the recording of past classes. How do I access these files?
    Via your course space, you have up to 30 days after the class end date for video conference courses and two weeks into the next semester for non-video conference courses.
  • I am a student and would like to download or get a copy of my class recording. How can I do this?
    Video conference courses cannot be downloaded due to FERPA restrictions. Please contact your instructor for access to non-video conference courses.