Submitted content terms and conditions

These Terms of Use constitute a legal agreement between you and the University of Minnesota Foundation ("UMF") and govern your use of UMF's website ("Site") story-sharing feature.

By using the Site "Share your story" feature, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. 

Submitted Content
By submitting your story and any related text, images, video or photographs (the "Materials") through this service, you represent and warrant:

  • that to the extent the materials contain the image, name, or likeness of a minor child that you are his/her parent or legal guardian;
  • that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to the Materials and have the right to grant the University of Minnesota the permissions listed below-this includes personal health information that you choose to submit; and
  • that the Materials are accurate.

You may not submit, upload or otherwise transmit any graphics, text, messages, photographs, images, audio or video files, or other content or information onto the Site that:

  • contains a virus or other harmful component or otherwise interferes with, impairs or damages the Site;
  • infringes or violates the right of any individual or entity including, without limitation, any right of privacy, any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary or intellectual property right, or any contractual rights;
  • is abusive, offensive, hateful, racist, disruptive, antisocial, defamatory, threatening, violent, vulgar, sexually explicit, pornographic, slanderous or otherwise harmful; and/or
  • constitutes hate speech.

You may not upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," or any other form of solicitation.

License and Release to Use Your Submitted Content
By submitting your Materials, you (on behalf of yourself and/or on behalf of your minor child) grant to UMF and the UMN absolute and irrevocable right and permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, publicly display and perform, publish, and transmit the same in whole or in part, individually or in connection with other content, in any medium and for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to illustration, promotion, advertising, art, or trade, and to use your name (and your minor child's name) in connection with UMF's or UMN's activities, including revenue-generating activities.

If UMF wishes to use your submitted content for another purpose outside of which you initially submitted the content, a representative will reach out to you to seek permission.

By submitting the Materials (which may include personal health information), you release and discharge UMF and the UMN from any and all claims and demands you (or your minor child) may have against them arising out of or in connection with the use of such materials, including, without limitation, any claims for defamation or invasion of privacy. You agree that UMF and UMN have no liability or responsibility for the storage or deletion of any content that you submit or post through the service.

Change of Terms of Use
From time to time UMF may revise or modify these Terms of Use by posting the revised Terms of Use through a link on the Site. You will be bound by the revised Terms of Use for all subsequent uses of this service after such modifications have been made. If you do not agree to any of the Terms of Use, your only choice is to discontinue use of the Site and contact us at [email protected].

Eligibility and Registration

When you submit your story on the Site, you will be asked to provide your name, email, and in some casese city, state, and more. These Terms of Use and UMF's Privacy Policy govern UMF's use of the information you provide and UMF collects on the Site.

If you share a story on our Site, we may add you to our University of Minnesota ("UMN") database and you may receive other communications to your email and/or mailing address. You may opt out at any time.

By submitting a story on our Site:

  • You agree to provide true, accurate, and complete information;
  • You agree that you are solely liable and responsible for all information shared; and
  • This story sharing service is only available to individuals 18 years of age and older. If you are under 18 and want to share your story with the UMN, you must work with an adult to do so.

By accepting these terms and conditions you acknowledge that you understand that your shared story will be subject to review and approval, and may be taken offline at any time for any reason. The reasons for a story being suppressed include, but are not limited to, the following circumstances:

  • Story content (text or images) or solicitation tactics do not meet UMN brand standards of appropriateness.
  • The story is not affiliated with the UMN.
  • Private medical information is shared either without consent or consent is unknown.
  • The content submitter does not appear to be over the age of 18.

Ownership of Intellectual Property
The contents of the story shared on the Site are the property of UMF, UMN or their subsidiaries, licensors, affiliates, assigns, or other respective owners. The Site Contents are protected under patent, trademark and copyright laws, and the copying, redistribution, use or publication by you of the Site Contents, except as provided for in these Terms of Use is strictly prohibited.

Limitation of Liability
UMF and UMN shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, exemplary or consequential damages (including damages for loss of business, loss of profits, litigation, personal or property damage, or the like) arising out of the use of this service or out of the activities or event you may host or conduct in connection with your story submission on the Site.

Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless UMF and UMN, their employees, consultants and agents from any and all third-party claims, liability, damages and/or costs (including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Site, your violation of these Terms of Use or any infringement of any intellectual property or other right of any person or entity.

General provisions
These Terms of Use will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota. Any provision of these Terms of Use that is held to be invalid or unenforceable will be deleted and replaced by a valid and enforceable provision which achieves, as far as possible, the same objectives as the severed provision was intended to achieve. The remaining provisions of these Terms of Use shall continue in full force and effect. Except to the limited extent set forth herein, neither these Terms of Use, nor any terms contained herein, shall be construed as creating or constituting a partnership, joint venture or agency relationship between the parties. You may not assign, sublicense or otherwise transfer any right or obligation set forth herein without UMF's prior written consent. Any purported assignment in violation of the preceding sentence is void and of no effect. These Terms of Use are binding upon the parties' respective successors and permitted assigns. No failure of UMF to exercise or enforce any of its rights hereunder will act as a waiver of such rights.

By submitting content on UMF websites, you consent to all of the above.