Establishing A Confidential Credential File
As of July 2008, the Office of Career Services recommends students use Interfolio — an intuitive, fast, and secure online service — to maintain their confidential credential files. An Interfolio account will allow students to keep confidential letters, curriculum vitae, writing samples, evaluations, and transcripts (obtained exclusively from the Registrar's Office, 112 Campus Avenue Building [CAB]). For more information, please visit the Interfolio Web site (http://www.interfolio.com).
Items Included In A Credential File
For Currently Enrolled Seniors:
- Final Student Teaching Performance Evaluation from your cooperating teacher(s), if you are seeking a teaching position. This evaluation is forwarded to the Office of Career Services from the Department of Teacher Education upon completion of your student teaching assignment.
- Letters of Recommendation should be included.
Items Not Included In A Credential File
- Credential files should not contain redundant references from the same author(s). For example, general letters of recommendation should not be submitted from the same individual(s) preparing your student teaching performance evaluation. Formal evaluations normally take precedence over general letters of recommendation, as they are considered more official in nature.
Career Services Retention Policy
The Office of Career Services will retain all "active" confidential credential files indefinitely. However, "inactive" confidential credential files, including student teaching evaluations, will be properly disposed. An "active" file will become "inactive" when an individual does not use his/her file within a six-year period. If your file should become "inactive," it will be necessary to contact Interfolio and establish a fileholders account.
Updating Confidential Credential Files
You may update your credential file by having references submit new letters of recommendation to Interfolio.