Rights and Privacy

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ensures confidentiality of your education records and restricts disclosure to or access by third parties, except as authorized by law. You have the right to inspect your educational records, with certain exceptions. If you wish to inspect your records, you need to submit a formal request to the University Access Officer in the Registrar’s Office. An appointment will be made within 45 days of the date of the request.

If you believe your education records are inaccurate or misleading, you may request an amendment. If you wish to request an amendment, you need to complete the appropriate form available from the University Registrar’s Office. If it is determined that the record will not be amended, you will be notified of your right to, and procedures for requesting, a hearing.

The University has designated certain types of personally identifiable information as Directory Information. This includes your name, local address and telephone number, e-mail address, college of registration, degree program and major and minor, dates of attendance, full- and part-time status, degrees, honors, and awards received, listing in the Commencement program, and listing in the Bostonia yearbook. Your local address and telephone number are also contained in an annual directory published by the University, and are accessible on an electronic directory. Both the printed and electronic directory are intended for the use of the University community. If you wish to restrict release of this information at any time, you may do so on the Student Link or by completing a Directory Information Restriction Form available in the Registrar’s Office. The Student Activities Office (Associate Director, GSU, 775 Commonwealth Avenue) and the Athletics Department (Director, 285 Babcock Street) may release information on students who participate in officially recognized activities and sports. If students wish to restrict release and/or publication of this information, they should contact the Student Activities Office and the Athletics Department directly.

The University, in compliance with the law, will disclose personally identifiable information without your prior consent under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:

a) To University officials, staff, and others engaged in activities on behalf of the University;

b) In compliance with a lawful subpoena;

c) To officials of another institution where you are enrolled or seek to enroll, or where you received services in connection with placement or participation in internships, practica, affiliations and other programs related to your courses or program at the University;

d) To authorized representatives of institutions from which you have received financial aid or applied to for financial aid.

You have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Family Policy and Regulations Office, Federal Office Building, Number 6, Room 3021, Washington, DC, 20202, if you believe that Boston University failed to comply with the Act’s requirements.

Equal Opportunity Policy

Boston University prohibits discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital, parental, or veteran status. This policy extends to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities, including admissions, financial assistance, employment, housing, athletics, and educational programs. Boston University recognizes that nondiscrimination does not ensure that equal opportunity is a reality. Because of this, the University will continue to implement affirmative action initiatives that promote equal opportunity for all students, applicants, and employees. Inquiries regarding the application of this policy should be addressed to Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, 25 Buick Street, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-4477.

Disability Accommodation

Boston University is committed to supporting the academic, social, and cultural integration of individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to foster academic excellence, personal responsibility, and leadership growth in students with disabilities. Individuals are encouraged to contact Disability Services to discuss support services and accommodations they may need. Services include auxiliary aids such as sign-language interpreters, exam accommodation, note taking services, text in alternative format, and assistive technology. Accommodations are provided on a case-by-case basis depending on the individual’s diagnosis and documented needs. Disability Services is also available to consult with individuals and groups regarding architectural, programmatic, digital, or communication access. The University’s Compliance Officer for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the Director of Disability Services, Lorraine E. Wolf, Ph.D. who can be reached at lwolf@bu.edu. The Office of Disability Services may be reached at 617-353-3658, by email at access@bu.edu, or at bu.edu/disability.

Grievance Procedures in Cases of Alleged Discrimination

University policy and federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ethnic origin, age, sex, or disability.

When a student has reason to believe that his or her rights have been denied by reason of discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ethnic origin, age, sex, or disability, he or she may file in writing a formal grievance with the Provost. The grievance statement should be as specific as possible regarding the action(s) that precipitated the grievance: date, place, and people involved; efforts made to settle the matter informally; and the remedy sought.

The Provost shall forward a copy of the grievance statement to the appropriate individuals within one week of the receipt of the statement. If a complaint raises an academic question, the grievance statement will be forwarded to the dean of the appropriate School or College, unless he/she is the subject of the grievance. In such cases, the Provost will investigate the complaint. If the complaint arises from a nonacademic unit, the grievance statement will be forwarded to the administrative head of the unit, unless he/she is the subject of the grievance. In such cases, the Provost will investigate the complaint. If a student's grievance alleges discrimination on the basis of disability, the Director of Disability Services, who is the University's Compliance Officer for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, will also be provided with a copy of the grievance and will be involved in resolution of the grievance as appropriate. The Provost, dean, or administrative head shall investigate the matters set forth in the written grievance. In conducting this investigation, the Provost, dean, or administrative head may forward a copy of the grievance statement to the persons whose actions (or inactions) are the subject of the grievance, and may request a written response to the grievance from appropriate individuals in the University. The Provost, dean, or administrative head may also choose to interview witnesses, to meet with concerned parties, to receive oral or written presentations, and to make other appropriate independent inquiry. Within forty-five (45) days of the filing of the grievance, the Provost, dean, or administrative head will make a decision as to the merits of the student's grievance and the appropriate resolution of the situation. If resolution is not possible within forty-five (45) days, the Provost, dean, or administrative head shall inform the student of the reasons for delay.

Copies of the decision by the Provost, dean, or administrative head will be sent to the student, the Provost (when not issued by him/her), the Director of Disability Services where appropriate, and the President. A copy may also be sent to the department and/or the persons whose actions (or inactions) are subject of the grievance as appropriate. In the event that the student is not satisfied with the resolution of the grievance, appeal may be made to the Provost (unless the Provost has already decided the case) and, from there, to the President.

A record of all formal grievances will be kept on file in the Office of the Vice President and Dean of Students.

A record of all grievances alleging disability discrimination will also be kept on file in the Disability Services office.