Recording of Class Lectures by Students Policy

Under a new law recently enacted by the Florida Legislature, a state university student may, without prior notice, audio or video record a class lecture for a course in which the student is enrolled if the recording is for one of the following purposes: 

(a) personal educational use of the student; 

(b) in connection with a complaint to the university where the recording is made; or 

(c) as evidence in, or in preparation for, a criminal or civil proceeding.

A recording of a class lecture may not be published without the consent of the lecturer, except it may be shared with university officials in connection with a complaint to the university or as evidence in a criminal or civil proceeding. Violation of this provision may subject the student to disciplinary action by the university and/or to legal action by a person injured by the publication.

A class lecture is defined as a formal or methodical oral presentation as part of a university course intended to present information or teach students about a particular subject. Recording class activities other than class lectures, including but not limited to student presentations (whether individually or as part of a group), class discussion (except when incidental to and incorporated within a class lecture), labs, clinical presentations such as patient history, academic exercises involving student participation, test or examination administrations, field trips, and private conversations between students in the class or between a student and the lecturer, is prohibited. Recordings may not be used as a substitute for class participation or class attendance. Failure to adhere to these requirements may constitute a violation of the University’s Student Code of Conduct and/or the Code of Academic Integrity.  

For purposes of the College of Medicine, class lectures do not include Problem-Based Learning (PBL)/Inquiry Cases (IQ)/Student-Led Inquiry (SLIQ) groups, Service Learning Projects, student panels, Clinical Learning Groups (CLG) or clinical skills and simulation activities. Additionally, failure to adhere to these requirements may result in disciplinary action by the MSPPSC, up to and including dismissal from the College of Medicine.

To publish means to share, transmit, circulate, distribute or otherwise provide access to the recording, regardless of format or medium, to another person (or other persons), including but not limited to another student in the class. Additionally, a recording, or transcript of the recording, is published if it is posted on or uploaded to, in whole or in part, any media platform, including but not limited to social media, book, magazine, newspaper, leaflet, picket signs, or any mode of print.

One of the objectives of College of Medicine courses is to facilitate critical thinking and debate around topics, theories, and concepts where disagreement is not only anticipated, but encouraged. The ability to think critically, express your ideas clearly, and respond to the professor and other students civilly is the keystone of the academic experience. In College of Medicine courses, the professor may articulate positions and make statements for the purpose of accomplishing this objective and enhancing the learning environment. As a result, students should keep in mind that, at times, the ideas conveyed during class may not necessarily reflect the professor’s personal beliefs or opinions on the subject matter.