Rights & 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 education 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 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, email 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 yearbook. Your local address and telephone number are accessible on an electronic directory. The electronic directory is 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 MyBU Student Portal or by completing a Personal Data Update 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:

1. To University officials, staff, and others engaged in activities on behalf of the University;
2. In compliance with a lawful subpoena;
3. 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;
4. To authorized representatives of institutions from which you have received financial aid or applied to for financial aid.

Complete information on FERPA disclosures can be found on the Registrar’s website.

You have the right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education Family Policy Compliance Office, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 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, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. This policy extends to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities, including admissions, financial assistance, educational and athletic programs, housing, employment, compensation, employee benefits, and the providing of, or access to, University services or facilities. Boston University recognizes that nondiscrimination does not ensure that equal opportunity is a reality. Accordingly, the University will continue to take affirmative action to achieve equal opportunity through recruitment, outreach, and internal reviews of policies and practices.

Inquiries regarding this policy or its application should be addressed to the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity, Equal Opportunity Office, 888 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 303, Boston, MA 02215 (eoo@bu.edu). Inquiries concerning application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may also be directed to the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity, who serves as the University’s Title IX Coordinator.

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 & Access 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 & Access Services is also available to consult with individuals and groups regarding architectural, programmatic, digital, or communication access. The Disability & Access Services office may be reached at 617-353-3658, by email at access@bu.edu, or at bu.edu/disability. The office is located at 25 Buick Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02215.

Complaint Procedures in Cases of Alleged Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment

Boston University has developed detailed procedures, described in its Complaint Procedures in Cases of Alleged Unlawful Discrimination or Harassment, by which individuals may bring forward concerns or complaints of discrimination and harassment. (These procedures cover all protected characteristics listed in the Equal Opportunity Policy, but they do NOT cover sexual misconduct. Procedures covering sexual misconduct are listed below.) Retaliation against any individual who brings forward such a complaint or who cooperates or assists with an investigation of such a complaint is both unlawful and strictly prohibited by Boston University.

Sexual Misconduct Policy

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Boston University prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, including rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The Sexual Misconduct Policy describes in detail the types of prohibited conduct, the resources available for individuals with concerns about sexual misconduct, how to report sexual misconduct, and how the University responds to concerns or complaints of sexual misconduct.

Procedures for the Resolution of Title IX Complaints Against Students, Faculty, Staff, Affiliates, and Non-Affiliates, along with Procedures for the Resolution of Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct Complaints Against Students and Procedures for the Resolution of Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct Complaints Against Faculty, Staff, Affiliates, and Non-Affiliates, provide detailed procedures by which individuals may bring forward concerns or complaints of sexual misconduct. Retaliation against an individual who brings forward such a complaint or who cooperates or assists with an investigation of such a complaint is both unlawful and strictly prohibited by Boston University.

Inquiries regarding the Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Procedures for Resolution may be directed to the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity, who serves as the University’s Title IX Coordinator at eoo@bu.edu.