Subject: Spring 2015 Class Audio-Recording Preferences
From: "Anne H. Nelson" <[email-masked]>
To: "Anne H. Nelson" <[email-masked]>
Cc: Class Recording Request <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 21:25:31 +0000

Dear Professor,

It's time to tell us your audio-recording preferences for your Spring 2015 classes.  Please complete the simple Faculty Preference Form<http://apps.law.georgetown.edu/forms/form.cfm?formid=218> online by January 2, 2015.  The form only takes a minute to complete.  If you co-teach a course with other professors, please contact them to discuss which option to select.

The Law Center's policy for audio-recording of classes is available here<http://www.law.georgetown.edu/campus-services/registrar/handbook/recording.cfm>.  The Faculty Preference Form<http://apps.law.georgetown.edu/forms/form.cfm?formid=218>  contains the following four course recording options:

·         OPTION A (record all, limited release):  All classes recorded, released only to enrolled students meeting one of the limited circumstances set forth in the default option in the policy (e.g., illness, religious observance or family emergency).  If the reason for a request falls outside the limited circumstances outlined in the policy, students can only access a recording if you can give specific, individual permission.

·         OPTION B (record all, unrestricted access):  All classes recorded and students will have access without needing to seek approval from the faculty.

·         OPTION C (record only on religious holidays):  No class recordings will be made, except for those class meetings that conflict with a religious observance.

·         OPTION D (do not record):  No class recordings will be made for any reason.  (Please note that the Law Center will audio-record, even without faculty permission but with prior notice to the faculty member, where audio-recording is required by law as a reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities.)

Please note:  If you do not select a course recording preference, your preference will be set at Option A (record all, limited release).

In considering which recording option to select, we want to highlight that Option A does not provide for the release of recordings when students miss class for a job interview, unexpected work emergency, or other personal commitments such as attending the wedding of a close friend.  These reasons, while common, were not included in the faculty-approved policy as grounds for providing access to class recordings.  As a result, faculty who select Option A often receive individual pleas from students seeking access for recordings for reasons that fall outside the policy.  That process of seeking and providing individual approval can be time-consuming for both the students and faculty.  In an effort to support students and simplify the process, the Student Bar Association has asked us to share with you that they strongly encourage faculty to select Option B, the most flexible recording preference.

Special Note for Clinical Faculty
Clinical and practicum faculty should be aware that, with the exception of Street Law and certain practicums, all clinics and practicums are set at "do not record."  Faculty should refer to the September 16, 2009, memo from then Associate Dean Deborah Epstein on "H1N1 Planning and Audio Recording" (see attached).

If you do NOT plan to share confidential information during class and wish for your class sessions to be recorded, complete the simple Faculty Preference Form<http://apps.law.georgetown.edu/forms/form.cfm?formid=218> online and email Assistant Dean Rachel Taylor ([email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>) to let her know.  If you co-teach a course with other professors, please contact them to discuss which setting to select.

Echo360
Finally, in Fall 2014, we piloted a new video-recording process using Echo360 technology in selected classrooms.  Faculty teaching in the limited rooms with this new technology will receive a separate email from our IST Department with more specific information about this new Lecture-Capture resource.

If you have any questions about the recording policy or the Faculty Preference Form<http://apps.law.georgetown.edu/forms/form.cfm?formid=218>, please call me at (202) 662-9041 or email me at [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>.

Sincerely,

Sally McCarthy
Assistant Dean, J.D. Academic Services

SENT ON BEHALF OF SALLY MCCARTHY BY:
Anne H. Nelson
Office Manager │ J.D. Academic Services │ Georgetown Law
600 New Jersey Avenue, NW │ Washington, DC 20001-2075
Phone 202-662-9041 │ Fax 202-662-9489 │ [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>