Record Keeping

How long will those offices retain copies of the documents? 

How long University offices will keep these documents depends partially on what type of “category” the University assigns to them.  There are several categories of records.   

Most records related to the disclosure of potential COIs and COCs are in the category of “Operating Unit records.”  Currently there’s no University-wide standard for the amount of time units should retain this category of records.  However, the U-M’s central administration has recommended retaining documents related to potential COIs and COCs for three years after the potential conflict no longer exists.

The University may consider other COI/COC documents to be “business and finance records” (SPG 604.1) or “personnel records” (SPG 201.46).   Departments must retain these categories of documents for longer periods.