Legal
Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 30, 2026
1. Who we are
BAU Connect (“we,” “us,” or “the app”) is a campus connection platform for Bay Atlantic University students and staff. The service is available at baustudentconnect.com and through related mobile apps that load the same service.
Contact: techconnect@bau.edu
2. Who can use BAU Connect
Access is limited to people with a verified @stu.bau.edu or @bau.edu email address. The app is intended for the BAU campus community, not for children under 13. If you are under the age required by your jurisdiction to use social apps, do not use BAU Connect.
3. Information we collect
- Account information: email address, display name, age (if you provide it), gender (if you provide it), major, university, bio, interests, and “open to” preferences.
- Photos: profile photos and gallery images you upload.
- Activity content: campus feed posts, comments, likes, join/leave actions, volunteer interest, and related timestamps.
- Volunteer records: applications, contact phone number, availability, experience, uploaded résumés, staff decisions, and hours you log. These records are available to you and authorized campus staff.
- Safety and deletion requests: reports you submit, blocking preferences, account deletion requests, and staff review records.
- Messages: direct messages you send to people you follow/connect with.
- Notifications: in-app inbox items and, if you allow them, push or email notifications about follows, messages, and campus posts.
- Technical data: basic device/browser information needed to run the website or app securely (for example IP address used by our hosting and auth providers).
- Map usage: when you use maps, third-party map providers may process location-related requests you initiate (for example searching campus or DC places). We do not sell your precise location.
4. How we use information
- Create and manage your account
- Show profiles, feed posts, maps, and connections inside BAU Connect
- Deliver messages and notifications you request or that are part of core features
- Moderate content and keep the campus community safe
- Operate, secure, debug, and improve the service
- Comply with law and enforce our terms
We do not sell your personal information.
5. How information is shared
We share information only as needed to run the service:
- Other BAU Connect users: your profile, photos, feed posts, and similar content you choose to share are visible to other signed-in campus users as designed by the product.
- Service providers: we use trusted processors such as Firebase (authentication and database), Cloudinary (photo and résumé hosting), email delivery providers, hosting (for example Netlify), and map providers (for example Google Maps). They process data on our behalf under their own privacy terms.
- Legal / safety: we may disclose information if required by law or to protect users, BAU, or the service from harm or abuse.
6. Data safety & security
We use industry-standard providers and transmit data over HTTPS. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. Please use a strong password and do not share sensitive personal data in public posts or chats that you would not want other campus users to see.
7. Retention
We keep your account and content while your account is active. You can request deletion in Profile → Delete account, or at the linked deletion page. Authorized staff process the request within 30 days and email confirmation after removing your account, associated app records, and linked uploaded files. Contact techconnect@bau.edu if you need help or have not received confirmation. Hosting providers may retain backup or security logs according to their own retention policies.
8. Your choices & rights
- Edit profile information and photos in the app
- Control notification permissions on your device
- Request account deletion or a copy of your data by emailing techconnect@bau.edu from your BAU email, or use baustudentconnect.com/delete-account
Depending on where you live, you may have additional privacy rights under applicable law. Contact us to exercise them.
9. Children’s privacy
BAU Connect is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has created an account, contact us and we will take appropriate steps.
11. International users
The service is operated for Bay Atlantic University in Washington, D.C., United States. If you access it from elsewhere, your information may be processed in the United States.
12. Changes
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of BAU Connect after an update means you accept the revised policy.
13. Contact
Questions about privacy: techconnect@bau.edu
Related: Terms of Service