Bio-demographic Information Resources
Boston University is committed to supporting diversity within its community. To measure our progress towards creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for our students, faculty, staff, and alums, we must have and accurate representation of our populations. We achieve this through the voluntary collection of profile data in our student, employee, and alumni data systems. Bio-demographic data includes personal, economic, and social indicators such as sex, gender, race/ethnicity, and name. Below is information on the personal data we would like to collect, how it is used by the university, and how you can update your official record
Click on a term below to access more information about BU’s use of that data and resources that are available to you.
Legal Name
Identity Validation / Legal Requirement / Required
Identity Validation / Legal Requirement / Required
How it’s used
Your legal name is the name that identifies you for legal, administrative and other official purposes. At BU, legal name is required for specific business processes including federal and state reporting, receiving health insurance, administering financial aid and processing international student or employee statuses.
This name appears on all official records and accounts, including but not limited to:
This name appears on all official records and accounts, including but not limited to:
- Official academic transcripts
- Billing and financial aid records and communications
- Insurance records
- Military and veterans’ services
- Passport names for international students, employees, and scholars
How to update your BU record
For Students: Legal name changes can be processed through the Personal Data Update Form from the University Registrar. For more information visit The University Registrar’s Name Changes Page
For Faculty and Staff: Please contact Human Resources for more information.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/contact/update-info/ to update your alumni contact information.
For Affiliates: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/help/tech/accounts/ to create or update an account for affiliate access.
For Faculty and Staff: Please contact Human Resources for more information.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/contact/update-info/ to update your alumni contact information.
For Affiliates: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/help/tech/accounts/ to create or update an account for affiliate access.
Additional Resources
Boston University Registrar – Student Name on University Documents: Information regarding name change process for students.
Display Name
Optional
Optional
How it’s used
Your display name is the name that defines how you identify yourself and how you wish for others to identify you. Display name is a distinct field from legal name, and therefore the information you enter may be different from your legal name. Except where required by specific business process (defined under legal name), your display name will be used, including in the Boston University Directory. Your display name can also be used on your Terrier Card, which is Boston University’s official identification for students and employees.
How to update your BU record
For Students, Faculty and Staff: Changes to display name, including that used in BU’s online directory, can be processed by visiting bu.edu/tech/services/security/iam/buid/changing-your-display-name/
Terrier Cards: Please visit BU’s Terrier Card Information site for guidance on how to apply for or replace your BU ID. This site also provides information on how to update your card with your Display Name.
For Alumni: Please visit bu.edu/alumni/contact/update-info/ to update your alumni contact information.
Terrier Cards: Please visit BU’s Terrier Card Information site for guidance on how to apply for or replace your BU ID. This site also provides information on how to update your card with your Display Name.
For Alumni: Please visit bu.edu/alumni/contact/update-info/ to update your alumni contact information.
Additional Resources
Boston University Registrar – Student Name on University Documents: Information regarding name change process for students.
Techweb – Changing your Display Name: Information for members of the BU Community on display name.
Techweb – Changing your Display Name: Information for members of the BU Community on display name.
Personal Email
Identity Validation / Required
Identity Validation / Required
How it’s used
Personal email is an email address other than your official BU email address (@bu.edu). A personal email is required to validate your digital identity. This email will not be included as part of your directory information.
How to update your BU record
For Students: Please contact the University Registrar for more information.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/contact/update-info/ to update your alumni contact information.
For Affiliates: Please visit bu.edu/help/tech/accounts/ to create or update an account for affiliate access.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/contact/update-info/ to update your alumni contact information.
For Affiliates: Please visit bu.edu/help/tech/accounts/ to create or update an account for affiliate access.
Additional Resources
Identity Access Management: overview of BU’s Identity Access Management activities.
Pronouns
Optional
Optional
How it’s used
Pronouns are a part of your gender expression and, like name, guide how you identify yourself and how you wish for others to identify you. If you assign specific pronouns to your personal record, this information will be made available to other members of the BU community, including through the BU Directory.
How to update your BU record
For Students, Faculty and Staff: Please visit TechWeb’s Directory Information page to update your pronoun selection.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/contact/update-info/ to update your alumni contact information.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/contact/update-info/ to update your alumni contact information.
Additional Resources
BU Diversity Resources: Links to resources at BU promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
AS&IR Governed Identity Data: approved question formats by which diversity data is collected at BU.
AS&IR Governed Identity Data: approved question formats by which diversity data is collected at BU.
Date of Birth
Identity Validation / Legal Requirement / Required
Identity Validation / Legal Requirement / Required
How it’s used
In addition to use in validating your identity, Boston University uses your date of birth to help process your employment records, financial aid, tuition statements for tax purposes, insurance information, and Selective Service verification, among other things.
Your date of birth appears on some official records and accounts, including but not limited to:
Your date of birth appears on some official records and accounts, including but not limited to:
- Official academic transcripts
- Billing and financial aid records and communications
- Insurance records (Health & Wellness Services)
- Housing contracts
- Military and veterans’ services
This information is subject to BU’s Data Protection Standards and will only be accessed by school officials or approved external partners for legitimate business purposes.
How to update your BU record
For Students: Please contact the University Registrar for more information.
For Faculty and Staff: Please contact Human Resources for more information.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/services/your-bu-profile/ to update your BU Profile.
For Affiliates: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/help/tech/accounts/ to create or update an account for affiliate access.
For Faculty and Staff: Please contact Human Resources for more information.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/services/your-bu-profile/ to update your BU Profile.
For Affiliates: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/help/tech/accounts/ to create or update an account for affiliate access.
Additional Resources
BU Data Protection Standards: Links to policies and standards used at BU to ensure data safety and privacy.
Sex
Required
Required
How it’s used
In Massachusetts, official state identification, including driver’s license, include
three sex designations: male (M), female (F) and nonbinary (X). However, there are still processes, such as federal reporting and accessing of health insurance, that require use of binary sex. In aggregate, this data is used in public reports related to campus diversity, such as the Boston University Fact Book. This data is required for select business processes, including federal and state reporting, administering financial aid and processing international student statuses. This information is subject to BU’s Data Protection Standards and will only be accessed by school officials or approved external partners for legitimate business purposes.
three sex designations: male (M), female (F) and nonbinary (X). However, there are still processes, such as federal reporting and accessing of health insurance, that require use of binary sex. In aggregate, this data is used in public reports related to campus diversity, such as the Boston University Fact Book. This data is required for select business processes, including federal and state reporting, administering financial aid and processing international student statuses. This information is subject to BU’s Data Protection Standards and will only be accessed by school officials or approved external partners for legitimate business purposes.
How to update your BU record
For Students: Changes can be processed through the Personal Data Update Form from the University Registrar
For Faculty and Staff: Please contact Human Resources for more information.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/services/your-bu-profile/ to update your BU Profile.
For Affiliates: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/help/tech/accounts/ to create or update an account for affiliate access.
For Faculty and Staff: Please contact Human Resources for more information.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/services/your-bu-profile/ to update your BU Profile.
For Affiliates: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/help/tech/accounts/ to create or update an account for affiliate access.
Additional Resources
BU Data Protection Standards: Links to policies and standards used at BU to ensure data safety and privacy.
BU Equal Opportunity Office: Link to BU’s EOO Office, which provides oversight, information, and support to enable safe and equitable work and study environment.
BU Equal Opportunity Office: Link to BU’s EOO Office, which provides oversight, information, and support to enable safe and equitable work and study environment.
Gender Identity
Optional
Optional
How it’s used
Gender identity is your personal sense of your own gender and may or may not correlate to the sex you were assigned at birth. In aggregate, this data is used in public reports related to campus diversity, such as the Boston University Fact Book. This information is subject to BU’s Data Protection Standards and will only be accessed by school officials for legitimate business purposes, such as the creation of support services and programming.
How to update your BU record
For Students, Faculty and Staff: Please visit TechWeb’s Directory Information page to update your gender identity.
Additional Resources
BU Data Protection Standards: Links to policies and standards used at BU to ensure data safety and privacy.
AS&IR Governed Identity Data: approved question formats by which diversity data is collected at BU.
BU Diversity Resources: Links to resources across BU that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
BU Equal Opportunity Office: Link to BU’s EOO Office, which provides oversight, information, and support to enable safe and equitable work and study environment.
BU LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty and Staff: Link to the LGBTQIA+ Center, which provides resources and support for BU’s employees.
Student Health Services – LGBTQIA+ Student: links to resources for BU’s LGBTQIA+ student community.
The Howard Thurman Center: BU’s Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, which provides resources, programming, and support to BU’s student community.
AS&IR Governed Identity Data: approved question formats by which diversity data is collected at BU.
BU Diversity Resources: Links to resources across BU that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
BU Equal Opportunity Office: Link to BU’s EOO Office, which provides oversight, information, and support to enable safe and equitable work and study environment.
BU LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty and Staff: Link to the LGBTQIA+ Center, which provides resources and support for BU’s employees.
Student Health Services – LGBTQIA+ Student: links to resources for BU’s LGBTQIA+ student community.
The Howard Thurman Center: BU’s Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, which provides resources, programming, and support to BU’s student community.
Veteran Status
Optional
Optional
How it’s used
Veteran status refers to active participation in military, air, or naval service and confers eligibility for veterans benefits and programs. BU is required to submit a report to the United States Department of Labor each year identifying the number of our employees belonging to each specified “protected veteran” category. In addition, veteran status provides benefits to students enrolled in academic programs. Information provided is confidential and may be used in aggregate in reporting to compliance and information requests.
How to update your BU record
For Students: Students wishing to utilize VA Education Benefits must complete a Certification Request Form.
For Faculty and Staff: Updates to your veteran status can be made on the My BUWorks site through the “Self-Identification” section.
For Faculty and Staff: Updates to your veteran status can be made on the My BUWorks site through the “Self-Identification” section.
Additional Resources
BU Financial Assistance: Veteran & Military Services: academic services and support for veterans and their spouses and dependents
Self-Identification of Disabled or Veteran Status: BU’s policy regarding self-identification of protected veteran or disabled status.
Information for Veteran Applicants: information about programs and support for applicants who are veterans or are spouses or dependents of a veteran.
Self-Identification of Disabled or Veteran Status: BU’s policy regarding self-identification of protected veteran or disabled status.
Information for Veteran Applicants: information about programs and support for applicants who are veterans or are spouses or dependents of a veteran.
Disability Status
Optional
Optional
How it’s used
Disability includes physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Your disability status is used meet federal reporting requirements, including measuring progress towards having at least 7% of our workforce be individuals with disabilities. This information is also used to support accommodations and other processes. Your personal information will remain confidential. In aggregate, this information may be used for reporting for compliance, funding and other informational purposes.
How to update your BU record
For Students: Students in need of accommodation should fill out an Intake Form through Disability & Access Services.
For Faculty and Staff: Updates to your veteran status can be made on the My BUWorks site through the “Self-Identification” section.
For Faculty and Staff: Updates to your veteran status can be made on the My BUWorks site through the “Self-Identification” section.
Additional Resources
BU Disability & Access Services: Resources for students requiring accommodations or other assistance.
Self-Identification of Disabled or Veteran Status: BU’s policy regarding self-identification of protected veteran or disabled status.
BU Equal Opportunity Office: Link to BU’s EOO Office, which provides oversight, information, and support to enable safe and equitable work and study environment.
Self-Identification of Disabled or Veteran Status: BU’s policy regarding self-identification of protected veteran or disabled status.
BU Equal Opportunity Office: Link to BU’s EOO Office, which provides oversight, information, and support to enable safe and equitable work and study environment.
Sexual Orientation
Optional
Optional
How it’s used
Along with gender identity, sexual orientation is a core part of personal identity. In aggregate only, this data is used in public and/or internal reports related to campus diversity. Information provided to Boston University will subject to BU’s Data Protection Standards and will only be accessed by school officials for legitimate business purposes, such as the creation of support services and programming.
How to update your BU record
For Students, Faculty and Staff: Please visit TechWeb’s Directory Information page to update your sexual orientation.
Additional Resources
BU Data Protection Standards: Links to policies and standards used at BU to ensure data safety and privacy.
BU Diversity Resources: Links to resources at BU promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
BU Equal Opportunity Office: Link to BU’s EOO Office, which provides oversight, information, and support to enable safe and equitable work and study environment.
BU LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty and Staff: Link to the LGBTQIA+ Center, which provides resources and support for BU’s employees.
Student Health Services – LGBTQIA+ Student: links to resources for BU’s LGBTQIA+ student community.
The Howard Thurman Center: BU’s Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, which provides resources, programming, and support to BU’s student community.
BU Diversity Resources: Links to resources at BU promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
BU Equal Opportunity Office: Link to BU’s EOO Office, which provides oversight, information, and support to enable safe and equitable work and study environment.
BU LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty and Staff: Link to the LGBTQIA+ Center, which provides resources and support for BU’s employees.
Student Health Services – LGBTQIA+ Student: links to resources for BU’s LGBTQIA+ student community.
The Howard Thurman Center: BU’s Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, which provides resources, programming, and support to BU’s student community.
Race and Ethnicity
Legal Requirement / Optional
Legal Requirement / Optional
How it’s used
Race and ethnicity of US Citizens is required for federal and state reporting purposes. In aggregate, this data is used in public reports related to campus diversity, such as the Boston University Fact Book. This information is subject to BU’s Data Protection Standards and will only be accessed by school officials for legitimate business purposes, such as the creation of support services and programming.
How to update your BU record
For Students: Please contact the University Registrar for more information.
For Faculty and Staff: Please review instructions on how to update your personal information in Employee Self Service.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/services/your-bu-profile/ to update your BU Profile.
For Affiliates: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/help/tech/accounts/ to create or update an account for affiliate access.
For Faculty and Staff: Please review instructions on how to update your personal information in Employee Self Service.
For Alumni: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/alumni/services/your-bu-profile/ to update your BU Profile.
For Affiliates: Please visit https://www.bu.edu/help/tech/accounts/ to create or update an account for affiliate access.
Additional Resources
BU Data Protection Standards: Links to policies and standards used at BU to ensure data safety and privacy.
BU Diversity Resources: Links to resources at BU promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
BU Equal Opportunity Office: Link to BU’s EOO Office, which provides oversight, information, and support to enable safe and equitable work and study environment.
The Howard Thurman Center: BU’s Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, which provides resources, programming, and support to BU’s student community.
BU Diversity Resources: Links to resources at BU promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
BU Equal Opportunity Office: Link to BU’s EOO Office, which provides oversight, information, and support to enable safe and equitable work and study environment.
The Howard Thurman Center: BU’s Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, which provides resources, programming, and support to BU’s student community.
Citizenship
Legal Requirement / Required
Legal Requirement / Required
How it’s used
Citizenship status is required for federal and state reporting purposes. In aggregate, this data is used in public reports related to campus diversity, such as the Boston University Fact Book. This information is subject to BU’s Data Protection Standards and will only be accessed by school officials for legitimate business purposes, such as the creation of support services and programming.
How to update your BU record
For Faculty, Staff and Students: Please visit the International Students and Scholars Office for more information.
Additional Resources
International Student and Scholars Office: Resources and assistance for international faculty, staff, students, and visiting scholars.