Gov. Nikki Haley announces updated record retention policy
December 22, 2011
Office of the Governor to develop policy with Department of Archives and History
COLUMBIA, SC – December 22, 2011 – Governor Nikki Haley today announcedthat her office is working with the South Carolina Department ofArchives and History (DAH) to develop an updated record retention policyfor the Office of the Governor, a process that has not been undertakenby any Governor’s Office in 40 years and is not done by many publicagencies.
The updated policy, which will be finalized and released in January,will include retaining all records, including the governor’s and staffe-mail, which are of long-term and enduring value as required by law anddefined by DAH. The Governor’s Office has also asked DAH to provideadditional guidance and clarification to all public agencies regardinge-mail retention.
“When we took office, we adopted the same policy that has been used byprevious administrations, and we have retained thousands of records andcorrespondence that will be preserved for archiving at the end of theadministration,” said Gov. Haley. “But we have also found room forstrengthening the policy – and, as we always do, when we see somethingthat needs to be fixed, we fix it. That’s why we’re taking another majorstep toward transparency and announcing the first record retentionpolicy a governor’s office has developed with and approved by DAH in 40years. It’s the right thing to do.”
DAH Director W. Eric Emerson said, “Public record retention is vital toidentifying and preserving documents that will be of enduring historicalvalue. We appreciate Gov. Haley’s office taking the positive step ofworking with us to develop specific record retention schedules. It’ssomething that no governor has done in nearly 40 years.”
This is one of several major steps toward transparency that Gov. Haley’soffice has undertaken. Gov. Haley releases a detailed public scheduleevery week and flight logs updated in real time and posts pressconferences and media availabilities online.
Additionally, the governor will also propose in the legislation creatingthe new Department of Administration that the agency and DAH administermandatory annual training of all public records officers on recordsretention laws, regulations and guidelines.
