Gov. Nikki Haley announces records retention policy
March 14, 2012
Historictransparency initiative is first of its kind in 40 years
COLUMBIA, SC – March 14, 2012 – Governor Nikki Haley announced that she has taken the historic step offinalizing with the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (DAH) anupdated records retention policy for the Office of the Governor, a process thathas not been undertaken by any Governor’s Office in 40 years.
The updatedpolicy includes retaining all records, including the governor’s and staffe-mail, which are of long-term and enduring value as required by law and definedby DAH. The Governor’s Office has also asked DAH to provide additionalguidance and clarification to all public agencies regarding e-mailretention.
A copy of the new retention policy is attached.
“Thisis another major step toward making this the most transparent administration inour state’s history,” said Gov. Haley. “When we took office, we adopted the samepolicy that has been used by previous administrations, but, even as we preservedthousands of records and correspondence, we found room to strengthen the policy.We couldn’t be more excited to announce the first record retention policy agovernor’s office has developed with and that has been approved by DAH in 40years – it’s the right thing to do.”
DAH Director W. Eric Emerson said,“We are grateful that Governor Haley has asked the Department of Archives andHistory to create specific retention schedules for the Office of the Governor.The creation of these schedules is historic and marks the first time in thenearly forty-year history of the Public Records Act that a gubernatorialadministration has allowed the Department of Archives and History to preparespecific retention schedules for their use. We are certain that the creation ofthese schedules will result in the retention of documents that will be ofconsiderable historic value in the future.”
This is one of several majorsteps toward transparency that Gov. Haley’s office has undertaken. Gov. Haleyreleases a detailed public schedule every week, maintains a flight log updatedin real time and posts press conferences and media availabilitiesonline.
