Terms and Conditions

• Use of Confidential Information: I understand that all constituent information found in the Northwestern Network is confidential and is to be used only for the legitimate purposes related to the Northwestern Network. I will not share this information with others or seek to use it for any purposes unrelated to the program.
• Confidentiality: I understand that conversations with my mentor/mentee or host/extern are subject to standards of confidentiality, as outlined in the Northwestern Network Code of Conduct.
• FERPA Federal Law: I understand that disclosing academic standing or grade information about my mentee or extern to anyone without the mentee or extern’s consent would be a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
• Release, Waiver, Discharge and Covenant Not to Sue: I am participating in this program voluntarily, and I agree that I will not hold Northwestern University, its officers or agents, or the Northwestern Alumni Association (collectively, “the releases”) liable for any injury, regardless of cause, that I may sustain in connection with my participation in Northwestern Network programs. I hereby release, waive, discharge and promise not to sue the releasees from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever for damages to my person or property arising from my participation in the Northwestern Network. I further hereby agree to defend, indemnify and save and hold harmless the releasees and each of them, from any loss, liability, damage or costs they may incur relating to my participation in the Northwestern Network. I hereby further represent that, should I bring a mentee or extern to my workplace, I will secure any and all necessary permissions for the mentee or extern to be present, and that, as between me and the releases, I will assume any and all responsibility for the actions of the mentee or extern and shall defend, indemnify and save and hold harmless the releasees and each of them, from any loss, liability, damage or costs they may incur relating to the mentee or extern’s actions in my workplace.
• Protection of Personally Identifying Information: The Northwestern University Alumni Association discloses personally identifying information only to its employees, volunteers, contractors and affiliated organizations. Some of those employees, volunteers, contractors and affiliated organizations may be located outside of your home country. In addition, Northwestern University Alumni Association may disclose personally identifying information in response to a subpoena, court order or other governmental request, or as otherwise required or allowed by law. By using the Northwestern Network Online Portal, you consent to the disclosure of any information you supply to the NAA, as set forth herein. If you are a registered user of the Northwestern Network Online Portal, the NAA may send you communications to tell you about new features, solicit your feedback, or keep you up to date with what is going on with Northwestern University. You may opt out of such communications by using the embedded unsubscribe link at the bottom of said email. The NAA takes all measures reasonably necessary to protect against the unauthorized access, use, alteration or destruction of personally identifying information obtained through the Northwestern Network Online Portal.
• Terms and Conditions Changes: Although most changes are likely to be minor, the NAA may change these Terms and Conditions for the Northwestern Network from time to time, and in the NAA’s sole discretion. The NAA encourages visitors to frequently check this page for any changes to these Terms and Conditions for the Northwestern Network. Your continued participation in the Northwestern Network after any change in the Terms and Conditions for the program will constitute your acceptance of such change.
• Violation of Terms and Conditions: I understand that any violation of these Terms and Conditions is grounds for dismissal from the program.
• Reporting Violations: Please report any violations of these Terms and Conditions to mentor@northwestern.edu.

• Appropriate Behavior: Any behavior deemed inconsistent with the goals and objectives of the program, the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA), or Northwestern University, or that otherwise violates any applicable University policy, may result in removal from the Northwestern Network indefinitely.
• Meeting Commitment: You agree to promptly respond to requests for meetings from your mentor/mentee or host/extern and carry out commitments that you make to meet with students/alumni or, if necessary, reschedule. In-person meetings (which are not required) must be held in public spaces – conference rooms, coffee shops, classrooms, etc. - to ensure the comfort and safety of student and alumni participants.
• Your Profile: You agree to promptly complete and maintain your online profile, including the times when you are available to meet with students or alumni and the types of meetings you are willing to undertake.
• Confidentiality: All interactions with your mentor/mentee or host/extern should be treated as confidential, unless otherwise agreed to or unless disclosure is necessary to report a violation of these rules. Your conversations should never be repeated to outside parties, and information shared during your interactions or online exchanges must be kept between the two of you (or between participants in your Mentor Circle). Any further disclosures of information about a participant should only be made with that participant’s consent.
• Using Program Resources: Familiarize yourself with the Northwestern Mentorship Program website (https://mentor.northwestern.edu/) and the Northwestern Externship Program website (https://mentor.northwestern.edu/programs/next) specifically the Resources Tab, which offers a number of different resources and materials to help you take full advantage of both programs.
• Transportation Safety: If you drive your mentor/mentee or host/extern in a car, you understand that you assume personal responsibility for the safety of yourself and your passengers. You understand that the University bears no liability for use of personal vehicles.
• Resignation: If and when you are no longer able to participate in the Northwestern Network Mentorship Program, you agree to alert the program administrator of this fact so that your profile can be removed from the online portal. Email mentor@northwestern.edu to be removed from the Northwestern Mentorship Program and next@northwestern.edu to be removed from the Northwestern Externship Program.
• Appropriate Use of the Online Portal: The Northwestern Network Online Portal contains personal alumni and student profiles and messaging functions. You agree to use these messaging functions only to post, send and receive messages containing material that is appropriate. By way of examples, you agree that when using the Northwestern Network Online Portal you will not do certain things, including but not limited to the following: A. Use the messaging functions to distribute or promote spam or any duplicative or unsolicited messages. B. Harass, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights of others. C. Post or distribute any inappropriate or obscene topic, material or information. D. Harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including phone numbers and email addresses. E. Create a false identity or profile for the purpose of misleading others. F. Interfere with or disrupt the service or networks connected to the service.
• Discrimination and Harassment: Program participants must agree to abide by Northwestern University's Policy on Discrimination and Harassment, which can be found here.
• Code of Conduct Changes: Although most changes are likely to be minor, Northwestern University Alumni Association may change its Code of Conduct for the Northwestern Network from time to time, and in Northwestern University Alumni Association’s sole discretion. Northwestern University Alumni Association encourages participants to frequently check this page for any changes to its Code of Conduct for the Northwestern Network. Your continued participation in the Northwestern Network after any change in the Code of Conduct for the program will constitute your acceptance of such change.
• Violation of Code of Conduct: By joining the Northwestern Network, you are agreeing to this Code of Conduct for the program. Any violations of the Code of Conduct may result in immediate dismissal from the program indefinitely.
• Report Violations: Please report any violations of the Code of Conduct to mentor@northwestern.edu.

Updated as of December 1, 2016