When a college closes down, where are old records/transcripts sent?

Archival, record retention and records management policies vary all over the map.


1. If the college has been taken over another one, the new one usually inherits the old records, which are stored in a damp basement where they turn to dust.


2. If the college has gone bankrupt or just dissolved, state and federal laws require storage of certain files in a safe facility. Again, this varies all over the map.


3. If the college is part of a larger institution, say a religious order, the records may be transferred to another college under the order's care.


4. Certain records are transferred to various government or quasigovernment agencies; especialy those dealing with professional studies such as medicine and law.


5. Records of historical interest may be transferred to historical archives, say, a State's History Agency, or a religious group's own archives