• Seton Hall University
• Office of Disability Support Services

As part of the interactive process, Disability Support Services (DSS) may determine that recording of class lectures is a reasonable accommodation for a student to have meaningful access to the educational experience. The recording of lectures is one of the accommodations specifically cited in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Frequently Asked Questions about Class Recordings

Why is a peer note taker not preferred over class recording?
There are several reasons that class recording is a best practice as compared to a peer note taker, including but not limited to:

• Use of recording places responsibility upon student w/ accommodations to attend class.
• Use of recording better prepares student for use of post-college accommodation.
• Use of recording makes information immediately available to student, allowing for equal access.
• Use of notetaker delays student’s access to accommodation until notetaker uploads notes to system.
• Use of notetaker delays student’s access to accommodation until notetaker can be secured.
• Use of notetaker may deny access to accommodation if notetaker is absent from class.
• Use of notetaker makes student dependent upon quality, or lack thereof, of notetaker’s notes.

Can a Professor refuse to allow a student with an approved accommodation for class recording to use that accommodation?
No, they may not. Just as with any other accommodation, Professors may not refuse to allow the student to use the accommodation. Professors with questions about this or any other accommodation should contact DSS.

Are there any limitations on the student’s use of the recording?
Yes, there are. The student must sign a Class Session Recording Agreement provided by DSS which specifies the limits of use. Among other stipulations, the Agreement details that the student may not disclose or share the recording, and that they will destroy recordings upon completion of the course. The student will provide a copy of the signed Agreement to the course Professor.

What if there are concerns about self-disclosure from students as part of the class?
The use of a recording device is to replace a student’s note talking ability. If open discussions in class are not appropriate subject matter for any student to be taking notes, then the Professor may make a general statement that any student using a recording device should turn it off for the discussion. In this circumstance, the announcement must be general and not identify the student with the accommodation, just as the Professor would not identify any student with an accommodation to the class.

Is the student limited as to how they may record?
Yes. DSS will provide the student with an approved device/application for note taking. This may be a smart pen, digital recorder, or computer application. Generally, students who have this approved accommodation have difficulty focusing on lecture content while simultaneously taking notes. The recording allows the student to fill in what they may have missed in the notes during class.