The University Archives & Records Center operates under Public Records Law, RCW 40.14 (Preservation and Destruction of Public Records) and RCW 40.10 (Protection of Essential Records). University records by statutory definition are public property and must be maintained, transferred, and destroyed according to records retention schedules approved by the State Records Committee.

The Archives & Records Center operates under the direction of the Dean of Libraries to serve all University offices, both on and off campus. The Center assists campus offices in developing and updating retention schedules, and acts as a liaison between the University and the State Records Management Office in obtaining approval for retention schedules from the State Records Committee. Center staff also develop and maintain general records retention schedules that apply to commonly-held University records.

In addition to retention scheduling activities, the Archives & Records Center assists campus offices in effective management of records throughout their life cycle, such as development of standardized filing systems, analysis of potential microfilm and electronic technology applications, and identification of vital records.

As a result of the records retention scheduling process, the Archives & Records Center provides inexpensive, secure, and environmentally appropriate storage for semi-active, inactive, and historical records. Storage of records frees costly office space and minimizes the need to purchase expensive filing equipment. At the same time, the Center provides an efficient reference service for campus offices who request the records.