NIU’s certified educator files will be tossed after 10 years, a new policy from the credential office.

Credential files, packets of job applications, letters of recommendation and official transcripts for those entering the education field will either be shredded or sent back to the student, said Dawn Jones, senior assistant director of Career Planning and Placement.

Career Planning and Placement provides these files anytime for any certified educator who completes a program at NIU. Seniors and graduates with at least 15 hours in an NIU program can begin a credential file.

The original policy stated that Planning and Placement would keep the files until the student turned 70 years old or until they stop working in education. Jones said this is unnecessary.

“It’s ridiculous to keep the files that long because if the person tries to use them that late the files will be outdated,” Jones said.

A student can start a new set of credentials at any time.

NIU sends these files out to prospective school districts for a $5 fee. There is no limit to the amount of times a set of credential files can be sent out.

For those interested in obtaining their credential files, they are available in the Career Planning and Placement office.

“We have a room full of only credential files,” said Jones.

At least one NIU faculty member praised the switch.

“It was a needed change because letters [of recommendation], to be valuable, need to be current,” said Mary Keil, a UNIV 101 teacher and academic adviser.

Graduates who want to start a file can fill out a credential packet at www.stuaff.niu.edu, and follow the links to the Career Planning and Placement Web site.