The Records Center provides confidential disposal services for records and other files. Departments may use this service to securely destroy confidential or sensitive records that have met their retention requirements and are no longer needed.
Eligible Records
Records that have exceeded their approved retention period may be:
- Destroyed by the department using a method that makes record recognition impossible, or
- Sent to the Records Center for secure destruction
Departments may dispose of records that are not confidential or sensitive through established recycling and wastepaper practices.
Preparing Records for Disposal
To prepare records for confidential disposal, departments should:
- Pack records in boxes no larger than a standard copy paper box
- Attach a green Form UM 176A: Records Destruction Label to the top of each box
Proper labeling helps ensure records are handled and destroyed appropriately. See Records Center Supplies for information about obtaining labels.
Scheduling Pickup
The Records Center provides daily destruction pickup service for University departments and clinics in the Columbia area. To schedule a pickup:
- Email: centeru@umsystem.edu
- Phone: 573-882-7652
Departments outside Columbia may send records to the Records Center through campus courier service.