Terms of Use

1. Use of the Site

The McMaster University Website or related website ( the “McMaster University Website”) is a no fee service offered by McMaster University (“McMaster”). The contents of the McMaster University Website are provided for informational and educational purposes only. All information is provided on an “as is” basis without any warranties of any kind. McMaster makes no representations and disclaims all expressed and implied warranties and conditions of any kind, including without limitation, representations, warranties or conditions regarding accuracy, timeliness, completeness, non-infringement, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. McMaster assumes no responsibility to the user or any third party for the consequences of any errors or omissions. The subscriber to the McMaster University Website expressly acknowledges that information contained on the site may be provided by independent clubs, associations and organizations and any such information and its content are not the responsibility of McMaster University. McMaster University assumes no liability for such content or information.

2. Release of McMaster

You also agree to release and hold harmless McMaster from and against any and all liability, claims, damages, actions, and costs, arising out of or in connection with your use, review or reproduction of the McMaster University Website.

3. Limitation of Liability

McMaster shall not be liable to you and/or any third party for any damages of any kind arising out of or relating to the use of, or reliance upon, the McMaster University Website including, but not limited to, any lost profits, lost opportunities, special, incidental, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, regardless of your advice to McMaster University to the contrary.

4. Advice

Neither McMaster nor any of its officers, directors, employees, or agents makes any recommendation regarding any educational or other matter described within the McMaster University Website.

5. Reproduction of Contents

The contents, but not any logo or other visual representation, of the McMaster University Website or related website may be used and reproduced solely for non-commercial, personal or educational purposes provided that it is not modified and that you do not delete any copyrights and other legal or proprietary notices contained therein. Such information may not otherwise be used, reproduced, broadcast, published or re-disseminated without the prior written permission of McMaster.

6. Links to other Sites

The McMaster University Website may link users to sites not maintained by McMaster. McMaster cannot and does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose of any information available through these links and disclaims any opinions expressed on such sites.

7. Intellectual Property

The materials located on the McMaster University Website are protected by copyright, trademark and other forms or proprietary rights and are owned or controlled by McMaster University or any other party credited as the provider of the information.

8. System Integrity

You may not use any device, software or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the McMaster University Website. You may not take any action, which imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on McMaster University infrastructure.

9. Governing Law

This agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario.

10. Disclosures

The information in the McMaster University Website or related website is offered by McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8.

11. Entire Agreement

This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and McMaster University and supercedes all other agreements. No other representations or warranties are made, save for those contained within this Agreement.

12. Termination of McMaster University Website or Related Website

McMaster reserves the right to terminate or modify, in any manner, the McMaster University Website, and/or any part of any related website any link or linking program at any time for any reason.

13.  Statement on Collection of Personal Information and Protection of Privacy

McMaster University collects and retains personal information of students, alumni and other parties, including but not limited to faculty, staff, visiting academics and private citizens using services provided by McMaster University, under the authority of The McMaster University Act, 1976. This information is used for the academic, administrative, employment-related, safety and security, financial and statistical purposes of the University, including for the administration of admissions, registration, awards and scholarships, convocation, alumni relations and other fundamental activities related to being a member of the University community, a user of services provided by McMaster or an attendee of, or applicant to, a public post-secondary institution in the Province of Ontario. The information will be used, among other things, to admit, register and graduate students, record academic achievement, issue library cards and, where applicable, local transit passes, to provide access to information systems and to operate academic, financial, athletic, recreational, residence, alumni and other University programs. Additionally, this information may be shared with other institutions of higher education in order to administer collaborative programs. Information on admissions, registration and academic achievement may also be disclosed and used for statistical and research purposes by the University, other post-secondary educational institutions and the federal and provincial governments. The names of alumni, their Faculty and program, award information, degree(s) awarded and date of graduation is considered public information and may be published by McMaster University. In addition, student photographs posted by the University in the form of individual pictures or class pictures may be publicly displayed. Aside from the foregoing, the information you provide and any other information placed in a student record, or in a personnel record, will be protected and used in compliance with Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSO 1990) and will be disclosed only in accordance with this Act. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact the University Registrar, University Hall, Room 209, Student Records, Gilmour Hall, Room 108, or the University Secretary, Gilmour Hall, Room 210, McMaster University.

McMaster University may also collect personal information from other relevant sources including, without limitation, the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, secondary schools, colleges, universities and other institutions previously attended, including third-party services and test score providers where the items collected form a part of the application or admission process to a university program.

Furthermore, McMaster is required to disclose personal information such as Ontario Education Numbers, student characteristics and educational outcomes to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (the “MTCU”). The Ministry collects this data for purposes such as planning, allocating and administering public funding to colleges, universities and other post-secondary educational and training institutions and to conduct research and analysis, including longitudinal studies, and statistical activities conducted by or on behalf of the Ministry for purposes that relate to post-secondary education and training. Any information collected by McMaster for the purposes of self-identification as a member of a specific group (i.e. First Generation, First Nations, etc.) may be subject to disclosure to the MTCU by McMaster and collected by the MTCU pursuant to its statutory authority. Further information on how the MTCU uses personal information is available on the ministry’s website (http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/).

In addition to collecting personal information for the purposes noted above, McMaster University collects specific and limited personal information on behalf of the McMaster Student Union, the McMaster Association of Part-time Students and/or the McMaster Graduate Students Association. These constituent student groups use personal information for the purpose of membership, administration, elections, annual general meetings, health plans and other related matters only. Please contact the relevant Student Union or Association office if you have questions about this collection, use and disclosure of your personal information and their respective privacy policies.