Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Privacy Policy


This Privacy and Security Policy discloses the information gathering and dissemination practices for stories.harvard.edu (the “Site”). The Site is provided by the President and Fellows of Harvard College (“Harvard”). As used in this Policy, the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Harvard.

This Privacy and Security Policy applies to information collected by the Site from users who view and use the Site.

By using the Site, you are consenting to our collection and use of your information in accordance with this Privacy and Security Policy.

Information Gathering

1) Browsing Information and Cookies

When you access the Site, our servers automatically record information that your browser provides. This may include, among other things, your Internet Protocol address, web request, browser type, the date and time of your request, web pages visited, files accessed, and one or more cookies that uniquely identify your browser (see below).

The Site will attempt to store a small piece of data known as a “cookie” on your computer. For example, when you visit a page within the Site, a cookie will be placed on your computer (if your computer accepts cookies) or will be read if you have visited the Site previously. We may use cookies to establish continuity between related requests, to personalize the Site to your preferences, to authenticate your login, and to analyze web traffic. Cookies do not themselves contain any personal information. The Site logs this session identifier along with other information about each request. You may choose to block cookies with your browser, but if you do, you may not be able to take advantage of the Site’s personalized features.

2) User Communications

When you send email or other communications to us, we may retain the communications in order to process your inquiries, respond to your requests, and improve our services.

You should also be aware that, when you voluntarily disclose personal information in videos uploaded to the site, or by other means, that information may be collected by others and may result in unsolicited messages from others.

Use of Information

We use the information collected for the following purposes, in addition to those described above: tailoring the Site to user needs and improving our service; generating data and reports about usage of the Site and its content; supporting the functioning and security of the Site and our network and systems; protecting our rights, property, or safety or those of others; research; and other Harvard-related purposes.

Provision of Services to Users

We may contract with third parties to perform functions and provide services to us, including, without limitation, hosting and maintenance of this Site. We may provide collected information, including personally identifiable information, to those third parties for those purposes. Any third parties who receive user information for this purpose are prohibited from using or sharing user information for any purpose other than providing services to users.

We may also provide your information to third parties in circumstances where we believe that doing so is necessary or appropriate to: satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request; investigate compliance with or enforce our Terms of Use; detect, prevent or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues; or protect the rights, property or safety of us, our users or others. The information referred to in this section may include personally identifiable information. In addition, we may share with third parties information about the use of the Site and its content that is aggregated or anonymized so that it does not identify any individual user.

Security

This Site has security measures in place to help protect against the loss, misuse or alteration of the private information under our control. However, we cannot guarantee that those security measures will be effective.

Contacting This Website

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this Site, or your dealings with this Site, you can contact us via email at stories "at" harvard.edu.

The Site may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such websites.

Changes to This Policy

We may change this Privacy and Security Policy from time to time without advance notice. If we change the policy we will post the modified policy on this page, and will note the date of modification.

Effective Date

The effective date of this policy is October 5, 2011.


Terms of Use


Please read all of these terms carefully before using this website: stories.harvard.edu (the “Site”). By using the Site you accept and agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not accept these terms, do not use this Site.

About the Site

The Site comprises a suite of online services provided by the President and Fellows of Harvard College (“Harvard”) to share interviews with Harvard community members about their Harvard experience and its influence in their lives.

As used in these Terms of Use, the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Harvard.

1. Copyright; Others’ Rights

The Site and any video material, audio material, text, images, graphics and other content available on the Site (collectively, the “Content”) are protected by copyright, trademark and other laws. We or others own the copyright and other rights in the Site and the Content. You may use the Site and the Content only in the manner and for the purposes specified in these Terms of Use. Except as specifically permitted by these terms of use, you may not modify, transmit, reproduce, distribute, display or otherwise make available in any form or by any means any part of the Content or the Site without the express written permission of Harvard.

You may only make non-commercial uses of the Site and the Content. Use of Content from the Site for any commercial, public or political purpose is strictly prohibited. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to: (1) activities that are illegal or fraudulent; (2) use that inaccurately implies endorsement, approval, or sponsorship by Harvard (or any individual officer or employee of Harvard); (3) use that can be confused with official communications of Harvard or its officers or employees; and (4) print or electronic mass mailings (sometimes known as "spamming"), solicitations for commercial services, or cold-calling.

2. Copyright Complaints

We respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe your copyright has been violated on this website, please notify us as provided at Reporting Copyright Infringements, where you will find the contact information for our designated agent under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (see 17 U.S.C. §512(c)(3) for further information). That contact information pertains only to notifications of claimed infringement. Please direct all other communications concerning the Site to stories "at" harvard.edu.

3. Rules of Conduct

In no event may you alter or modify the Site or any Content, including, without limitation, by adding any advertisement or other material or by interfering with the viewing of any Content. You agree to retain all copyright, trademark and other notices on any Content you obtain from the Site. All rights in the Site and the Content that are not expressly granted are reserved. You agree to use the Site and the Content only in ways that comply with all applicable laws, as well as with these Terms of Use, and that do not infringe or violate anyone’s rights.

You agree not to engage in any other activity in connection with the Site, that:

  • infringes anyone’s copyright, patent, trademark or other proprietary rights, or rights of privacy or publicity;
  • violates any law or regulation;
  • is intentionally false or misleading;
  • defames, threatens or harasses anyone;
  • is harmful, dangerous, abusive or offensive;
  • is obscene or contains pornography;
  • contains or utilizes any computer virus, other malicious code, or program that may damage or interfere with the operation of any system, or may unlawfully intercept any data or personal information;
  • contains or consists of advertising or any form of commercial solicitation or activity; or
  • otherwise interferes with the functioning of the Site or other users’ use or enjoyment of the Site.

You acknowledge and agree that we have no obligation to display any User Content on the Site, monitor User Content on the Site or take any action with respect to User Content. We reserve the right, without the obligation, to edit the Site and to edit, remove, delete or refuse any User Content for any reason without notice to users. If User Content violates the above standards or any other provision of these Terms of Use, we reserve the right to terminate the applicable user’s right to use the Site, in addition to any other rights or remedies available to us. We do not approve or endorse any User Content, and you agree that we will have no responsibility or liability in connection with your use of any User Content.

Harvard may deny access to the Site to any individual at any time.

4. Links to Other Sites

Harvard may provide links to websites operated by third-parties as a convenience for our visitors. We do not endorse or accept responsibility for the content or the use of third-party websites. If you use third-party sites, you do so solely at your own risk. Links do not imply that Harvard is affiliated or associated with any linked site.

5. Harvard Names

Except as specifically permitted by these Terms of Use, you may not use or register any name, logo or insignia of Harvard or any of its schools or subdivisions for any purpose except with our prior written approval and in accordance with any restrictions required by us.

6. Liability and Indemnity

THIS SITE AND ALL ITS CONTENT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WE DO NOT APPROVE OR ENDORSE ANY CONTENT PROVIDED BY USERS OR OTHERS. WE ARE NOT LIABLE TO USERS OR VISITORS FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SITE OR ITS CONTENT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Harvard and its officers, fellows, governing board members, directors, employees and agents, from and against all claims, actions, suits, damages, liabilities and costs (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees) arising from or relating to your use of the Site or any of the Content, your provision of any User Content, and/or your failure to comply with any provision of these Terms of Use.

7. Eligibility

You affirm that you are either more than 18 years of age, or an emancipated minor, or possess legal parental or guardian consent, and are fully competent, to use the Site and to enter into and comply with these Terms of Use. In any case, you affirm that you are at least 13 years of age, as the Site is not intended for children who are under 13 years of age. Use of the Site by anyone under 13 years of age is not authorized.

8. Governing Law; Jurisdiction

These Terms of Use, and any claim or dispute that arises from or relates to your use of this Site or the Content, will be governed by the laws of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles. You agree that all such claims and disputes will be heard and resolved exclusively in courts sitting in Middlesex or Suffolk County, Massachusetts. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts over you for this purpose, and waive and agree not to assert any objection to such proceedings in such courts (including any defense or objection of lack of proper jurisdiction or venue or inconvenience of forum).

9. Changes to Terms

Please note that these terms are subject to change without notice from time to time. Any changes will be posted to this page. Your use of this Site or any of its Content after any changes have been made will constitute your agreement to the modified Terms of Use.

10. General

If any provision of these Terms of Use is held to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision, to the extent unenforceable, shall be struck, and shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions. Your rights under these Terms of Use are personal, non-exclusive and non-transferable. Headings are for reference purposes only and in no way define or limit the scope or extent of any provision of these Terms of Use. Our failure to act with respect to a breach by you or others does not waive our right to act with respect to subsequent or similar breaches. Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Terms of Use, nothing herein shall be deemed to confer any third-party rights or benefits. These Terms of Use set forth the entire understanding and agreement between you and us with respect to the subject matter hereof.

The effective date of this policy is October 5, 2011.