What’s New In Compliance | Compliance Services

What’s New In Compliance at Boston University

Boston University continually makes efforts to stay up-to-date on compliance requirements, which involves monitoring and updating policies and procedures or issuing new ones, enhancing resources and guidance for the University community (including tools, systems, and training), and issuing communications to keep the community apprised of any important compliance developments. This website highlights some of the most recent University-wide compliance updates* from around the University.

Timely Campus Resources and Guidance

Annual Security Report

Each year, Boston University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report in accordance with the federal campus security law known as the Clery Act. This comprehensive document provides members of the Boston University community with information regarding reported crimes as well as policies, procedures, and resources concerning safety and security, such as policies for responding to emergency situations as well as information on fire safety and crime prevention. You are strongly encouraged to access and read this valuable source of safety information. The Annual Security Report contains three calendar years of statistics (2023, 2024, and 2025) for certain crimes that were reported to have occurred in the following locations: on-campus; in or on off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Boston University; and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the Boston campuses.

Boston University maintains campuses in other locations. The Annual Security Reports for those locations are also available on the University’s safety website. Printed copies of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report are available by calling the Office of the Chief of Police at 617-353-5362.

Student Support Resource Ideas from Student Wellbeing

Student Support Finder – A great place to start when a student needs support
Faculty and Staff Toolkit – Easy tips for incorporating wellbeing into your office or classroom
Campus Wellbeing Resource Finder – A searchable database of all wellbeing resources on campus

Information Security Awareness – some updates from a 9/15/26 email

Be Skeptical of That Job Offer

Fake job offers surge every September, sometimes appearing to come from a professor, a department, or a BU address. Here’s how it ends: you’re hired without an interview, mailed a check for “equipment,” and asked to wire part of it back or buy gift cards. Days later the check bounces. It was never real, and the money you sent is gone from your own account. Legitimate employers never hire you without speaking to you, send a check before you’ve done any work, ask you to buy gift cards, or recruit you by text or WhatsApp out of the blue. Real BU student jobs are posted through JobX. When an offer looks questionable, the Student Employment Office will gladly look at it first.

Know a Phish When You See One

Today’s phishing emails have correct logos, clean grammar, and real names from the BU directory. Don’t judge by polish—watch for the pattern: (1) An unexpected request for money, gift cards, passwords, or Duo codes; (2) Pressure to act immediately, or to keep it quiet; (3) Links or attachments you weren’t expecting; or (4) A reply-to address that doesn’t match the sender’s name. When something feels off, verify it another way, then forward the message to abuse@bu.edu. Every report helps protect the next inbox. See what’s circulating now at the BU Phish Bowl.

Add a Backup Duo Device

Register a second device with Duo—a backup phone, tablet, or hardware security key—so a dead battery doesn’t lock you out during add/drop week. Add one here. And one rule above all: never approve a Duo request you didn’t start. A prompt out of nowhere means someone else has your password. Deny it, change your password, and contact the IT Help Center.

International Resources

New USDHS Rule Eliminates F and J Duration of Status (D/S), July 17, 2026.
- Update as of 9/14/26: A district court has granted nationwide preliminary relief which blocks the rule from taking effect and prohibits DHS from further implementation it while litigation continues.
BU Support Pathways – a resource hub designed to support, inform, and guide Boston University’s global community.
Resource Guide: Everything BU International Students and Faculty Need to Know Right Now, BU Today, April 7, 2025
What the New Federal Actions Mean for You
Understanding Federal Immigration Policy – A Boston University FAQ, Safety Security & Preparedness
Supporting Boston University’s International Community—Q&A with President Melissa Gilliam and Willis Wang, Head of Global Operations, BU Today Article, June 11, 2025

Website Accessibility

A new Website Accessibility site features website accessibility information, including website accessibility best practices, accessibility and PDFs, and Accessibility for Blackboard, including Blackboard Ally for instructors and Blackboard Ally for students.

AI – Artificial Intelligence

Updated Policies

New Policies

Question About Policies?

New and Enhanced Campus Website Resources

Training

Research Compliance News and Updates

*Please note that this list of Compliance Updates is not comprehensive, and that compliance news, updates and improvements are happening around the University on a continual basis and may not be reflected on this website. If there are Compliance updates you would like to add and highlight on this webpage, please email them to the Compliance Services Office at comply@bu.edu.