Records Retention
Northwestern University and various federal and state laws require that different types of records be retained for specific periods of time. The University has designated official repositories and developed a Records Retention Schedule for maintenance of these records.
The Records Retention Schedule collects information related to Official Records only. For information related to all university records, please refer to the Records Retention Policy. (Please note that a formal review and updates to this policy are forthcoming in September of 2026.)
Information present in the schedule is provided by appropriate institutional units and subject matter experts. The retention periods and actions described within the schedule are intended to satisfy legitimate business needs as well as legal, regulatory, contractual, or internal policy obligations.
Employees may access the Records Retention Schedule by clicking the link below.
For any questions related to the Records Retention Policy or Records Retention Schedule, please contact Records@northwestern.edu
University Archives
Some records may be considered to have lasting historical value. When applicable, record holders are encouraged to consult with the University Archives to determine appropriate steps for preservation and transfer.