Audio Recording Lectures

Audio recording lectures is defined as the student’s ability to record the lecture and/or class discussions occurring in the learning environment. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, institutions of higher education must provide equal access to the institution’s programs, courses and activities.

When Is This Authorized As An Accommodation?

For a variety of reasons, some students are not able to take adequate notes during class. Audio recordings are legitimate auxiliary aids to supplement or substitute note taking for some students with disabilities. As with all accommodations, the students must send their Letter of Accommodation and must meet to discuss their Letter of Accommodation with the professor prior to the implementation of accommodations. This discussion can take place over email, Teams, Zoom, phone, etc.

What Constitutes “Reasonable” With Regard to Audio Recording Lectures?

Use of this accommodation is subject to the following conditions:

• The student acknowledges that the recordings are sources, the use of which are governed by the rules of Northern Illinois University and applicable state and federal laws.
• Recordings of class lecture are only for the student’s personal use in study and preparation related to the class.
• The student may not share the recordings with any other person at any time, whether or not that person is in their class. This excludes the professor, who may ask for copies at any time.
• The student agrees to destroy any recordings when they are no longer needed for academic work, or at the end of the semester, whichever is sooner.

Students granted permission to audio record class lectures as an accommodation must agree to abide by each of these provisions and sign a pledge to that effect for each class each semester. This pledge is on file with the DRC and available upon request.

What Are Considerations When Implementing Audio Recording Lectures?

If a professor does not believe the audio recording lectures accommodation is reasonable for their course, they need to reach out to the student’s access consultant to discuss reasonableness and alternative options.

If you have any questions or concerns about the implementation of this accommodation, please contact the student’s access consultant or the DRC at drc@niu.edu or by calling 815-753-1303.