* Federal Law (FERPA): The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) doesn't specify a minimum or maximum retention period. It focuses on student access rights and the privacy of educational records. Universities must retain records long enough to comply with FERPA's provisions regarding student access and the handling of those records.
* State Law: Each state may have its own laws governing record retention for educational institutions. These laws can differ significantly in their requirements. Some states might specify retention periods for certain types of records (e.g., transcripts, disciplinary records).
* Accreditation: Regional accrediting bodies often have guidelines or requirements regarding record retention. Universities seeking or maintaining accreditation must adhere to these standards.
* University Policy: Universities typically establish their own internal policies on record retention, often exceeding minimum legal requirements. These policies often consider factors like liability, potential audits, and historical research value.
In short, a university's legal obligation regarding record retention is determined by a combination of federal law (FERPA), state law, accreditation standards, and its own internal policies. To find the specific retention period for a particular university, one would need to consult that university's records retention policy and potentially relevant state laws.