Global Terms and Conditions of Service
1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms
These Global Terms and Conditions govern the relationship between the United Standards & Benchmarking Accreditation Council (USBAC) and all institutional partners, users, and visitors. By accessing our official digital interface at USBACouncil.org or utilizing any regulatory services, you formally acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these legal provisions. If you represent an educational institution or corporate entity, you represent and warrant that you hold the legal authority to bind said entity to these terms in their entirety.
2. Scope of Services
USBAC operates as an international accreditation authority providing specialized services including institutional accreditation, program benchmarking, and strategic governance advisory. Our primary delivery mechanism is the VELIS (Validated Education & Learning Institutional Standards) Framework, which serves as the definitive global benchmark for academic quality assurance. All advisory outputs and recognition statuses are subject to ongoing compliance with the standards established by our Global Academic Quality & Governance Board.
3. Use of the Website and Content
The information provided on our website is for general informational and institutional recognition purposes only. While USBAC strives for maximal accuracy, the technical standards and guidelines presented do not constitute legal advice or formal professional consultation. Users are granted a limited, non-exclusive license to access our resource center for internal academic planning. Any unauthorized commercial exploitation, automated scraping, or redistribution of USBAC digital assets is strictly prohibited and constitutes a violation of these terms.
4. Institutional Responsibilities and Representations
Institutions seeking accreditation tracks through USBAC are responsible for the veracity and completeness of all data submitted during the audit cycle. Partners must maintain institutional integrity and adhere to the rigorous evidence-based criteria required for VELIS certification. Any material misrepresentation of institutional capacity, faculty qualifications, or student outcomes may result in the immediate revocation of accreditation status and the mandatory removal of all USBAC recognition marks from institutional materials.
5. Fees, Invoicing, and Currency
Service fees for accreditation cycles and benchmarking audits are outlined in separate institutional agreements. All financial transactions and invoicing are processed exclusively in United States Dollars (USD). Payments must be remitted according to the schedule defined in the primary service charter. USBAC reserves the right to suspend review processes if scheduled fees remain outstanding beyond the standard grace period specified in the official invoicing documents.
6. Intellectual Property and Use of USBAC Marks
The USBAC name, the VELIS Framework logo, and all associated accreditation badges are protected intellectual property assets. Accredited institutions are granted a conditional, revocable license to display these marks only so long as their recognition remains valid and active. No user may modify, adapt, or incorporate USBAC intellectual property into unrelated commercial products without express written authorization from our global headquarters office in Illinois, United States.
7. Confidentiality and Data Protection
USBAC maintains a high standard of data security for institutional reporting and individual user information. Our data handling practices are governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference into these terms. We implement technical and organizational measures to safeguard the confidentiality of audit data, ensuring that proprietary institutional strategies shared during the accreditation process are treated with the utmost professional discretion.
8. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, USBAC provides its services and website content on an 'as is' and 'as available' basis. We disclaim all warranties, whether express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular academic purpose. USBAC shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from institutional use of our frameworks or the temporary unavailability of our digital systems.
9. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and all proceedings arising out of the services of the Council shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of Illinois. Any disputes that cannot be resolved through formal mediation shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Illinois. This choice of law reflects the Council’s administrative domicile and legal foundation as an American-based regulatory authority.
10. Changes to Terms and Contact Information
USBAC reserves the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time to reflect updates in global academic regulations or council bylaws. Continued use of USBAC services post-revision indicates your full acceptance of the updated terms. For inquiries regarding these legal provisions or to obtain the official Accreditation Handbook, please contact the Global Office