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Terms of Use

Introduction

The Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham Law School, New York City has created the Leitner Summer Human Rights Institute (SHRI). Your access to, use of, or participation in our website, program, and related services signifies that you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms of Use. Our SHRI Terms of Use clarify your rights and responsibilities to other users, applicants, and program participants. Before participating in our SHRI, please read the Terms of Use carefully. If you do not agree with these Terms of Use, you may not access our website or participate in our program. We can be reached via email at [email protected] or via telephone at (832) 939-9983.

Terminology

  • “SHRI” or “the Program” means the Leitner Summer Human Rights Institute and all programs, content, activities, and services of the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham Law School.
  • “Website” means https://leitnersummerhumanrightsinstitute.org/ and all subdomains or other digital properties operated by SHRI.
  • “User” means each person using or accessing the website, applying to, or participating in the Programs, and includes without limitation all applicants, participants, alumni, faculty, and visitors.
  • “Content” means all text, images, audio, video, documents, and materials hosted or disseminated by SHRI or its faculty members or other faculty of any program, as well as added by users via programs’ sites.

Acceptance of these Terms

By clicking on, browsing through, or otherwise using the SHRI website to submit an application, to enroll, to participate in the program, or as a part of any other activity provided through or in connection with our website, you signify that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms of Use of this website as well as by our Privacy Policy. These terms are applicable to every individual regardless of location or accessibility. SHRI may, without prior notice, at any time update or transmit these Terms of Use. Your continued use of the website after any such changes are made constitutes acceptance of those changes.

Eligibility to Participate and Registration

SHRI is offered to law students, graduates, practitioners, academics, staff of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and any person otherwise qualified on a global basis. All users must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age or older or the age of majority in their jurisdiction;
  • Submit truthful, accurate, correct, and complete information to SHRI when applying and registering with the Program;
  • Update any registration information that changes in a timely fashion.

Admission to SHRI is not guaranteed and is subject to review and approval by the Program administrators. SHRI may refuse admission or participation or terminate the same in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, cases where false information has been provided, academic misconduct is demonstrated, or there is a violation of these Terms of Use.

Participant Responsibilities

As a user, applicant, or participant of SHRI, as a condition of use, you agree to:

  • Use the website and program materials for lawful, educational, and non-commercial purposes.
  • Honor the rights, privacy, and dignity of other users, faculty, or staff.
  • Adhere to applicable rules, codes of conduct, and guidelines provided to you by SHRI in person and online.
  • Not engage in harassment, discrimination, abusive language, or other disruptive behavior at any program-related virtual or in-person event.
  • Take care to not reveal your password; not share access to programs, platforms, or materials with anyone not authorized; and be responsible for keeping your password secure.
  • Where an assignment is requested, to assemble only original work that consists of your own writing/thinking: direct quotes must be appropriately cited; other material must cite to whichever source used it, with citations organized as appropriate.
  • If you believe the security of your account has been compromised, you will immediately notify SHRI.

Intellectual Property Rights

All content owned and provided by the SHRI, including but not limited to lectures, course materials, videos, documents, and website content, is the sole property of the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham Law School (or one of its faculty), unless otherwise specified. All such content is the protected work product of SHRI and is subject to U.S. and foreign copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property rights. Subject to these terms and conditions, you are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access, view, and use program content for personal, educational use during and after your participation in SHRI. You may not:

  • Copy, re-use, distribute, modify, publicly display, or adapt SHRI material, in whole or in part, for any purpose other than outlined above without SHRI’s prior written permission;
  • Record, download, or share live lectures, discussions, or course material with anyone not enrolled in the program;
  • Use SHRI content for commercial purposes or in any way that is prohibited by law or interferes with SHRI’s rights or the rights of third parties;

Any individual who requires a waiver of this provision must submit a request for permission to [email protected].

User-Generated Content

You can post materials, comments, or other content through any discussion forum, assignment submissions, or other interactive portions of SHRI. By submitting such content you:

  • Grant SHRI a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, translate, distribute, and otherwise use and exploit any such content for educational and promotional purposes with attribution.
  • Warrant that your content does not violate any copyright, trademark, or other rights of third parties and that you have the necessary permissions to submit such materials.
  • Agree not to submit materials that are unlawful, defamatory, threatening, obscene, or otherwise objectionable.
  • We reserve the right to remove or moderate any user-generated content that violates these terms or the program’s User Standard of Conduct.

Program Participation and Conduct

Participants in the SHRI are required to:

  • Participate and engage in all sessions, in person or online, to the best of their abilities.
  • Fulfill all assignments, readings, and assessments to the best of their abilities by established deadlines.
  • Honor the confidentiality of sensitive information disclosed during the SHRI, including personal sharing, case studies, and discussions with vulnerable groups.
  • Abide by all policies of Fordham Law School, and all local policies and laws applicable to New York City activities onsite or otherwise.
  • Seek clarification from SHRI staff/faculty if at any time program expectations regarding participation or conduct are unclear.

Failure to meet these requirements may lead to disciplinary action including removal from the program and forfeiture of any applicable and/or paid fees.

Fees, Payment and Refunds

SHRI requires the timely payment of all program fees indicated during the application or registration procedures. The amount payable, the due dates, and means of payment accepted are indicated during application or inquiry. You agree to:

  • Pay all applicable fees in full prior to commencement of the program unless alternative arrangements have been agreed by SHRI.
  • Assume responsibility for any bank, transfer, or currency conversion charge levied on your payment.

Refund Policy:

  • SHRI will refund application fees and/or tuition fees (where applicable) when request for withdrawal (by the person who signed the participation agreement) is received in writing at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the program. A non-refundable administration fee of $75 applies.
  • Where a notification of withdrawal is received in writing less than 30 days prior to program commencement, SHRI reserves the right, at our discretion, to make a gesture of goodwill in entertaining a 50% refund request.
  • No refund can be granted for withdrawals once the program has commenced, except in cases where a valid medical certificate or supporting document of extenuating circumstances are provided and these are approved by SHRI.

Any request for withdrawal or refund should be addressed to [email protected].

Hybrid Program Content and Technology Usage

SHRI is presented in a hybrid format that includes in-person intensive sessions at Fordham Law School in New York City, along with online lectures and asynchronous materials. Participants are responsible for the following:

  • Providing their own reliable access to the Internet and suitable digital devices for online participation.
  • Using the official SHRI learning management system and communications applications according to the provided terms.
  • Not disseminating or distributing access links, login/password, or related proprietary digital materials to unauthorized third parties.

SHRI makes every effort to provide a secure and reliable digital learning environment but cannot guarantee error-free and uninterrupted access, including network interruptions or errors beyond our control (such as ISP issues or third-party platform errors).

Certificate and Academic Integrity

Participants who fulfill the program requirements shall receive a Certificate in International Human Rights Law from the Leitner Center at Fordham Law School. Workshop participants need to fulfill the following requirements to qualify for the certificate:

  • Maintain overall attendance and participation
  • Submit required assignments and assessments according to the timeframes set by the course leaders, with full academic honesty

Any academic dishonesty-including plagiarism, cheating, or making false or misleading statements on any official document-will be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures. These measures may include denial or revocation of the certificate, expulsion from the program, and notification of other relevant academic or professional authorities.

Privacy and Confidentiality

SHRI takes your privacy seriously and is committed to handling your personal information appropriately. Please see our Privacy Policy for information on the types of information we collect, how we use it, and your rights with regard to your information. By participating in SHRI, you agree that we may collect and process your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

You further agree not to record or reproduce any confidential information divulged by fellow participants, faculty, or guest speakers while in the program. This includes but is not limited to personal anecdotes, sensitive research, and personal stories involving individuals in positions of authority among protected or vulnerable groups.

Third Party Content and External Links

SHRI website and program materials may include links to third-party websites or services or include content provided by other third parties, including guest speakers and program partners. SHRI does not endorse or verify, and assumes no liability or responsibility for the content of any third-party material or third-party website. Any view, opinion, advice, or information provided by a third party or such third party’s products are those solely of the third party and do not necessarily represent the views of, and are not necessarily endorsed by, SHRI. Access to such material is at your own risk. Please review applicable terms and privacy policies before engaging with any third-party sites or content.

Disclaimer

SHRI offers its website, program, and materials as available and on an “as is” basis without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. SHRI disclaims all warranties to the extent permitted by applicable law, including but not limited to:

The accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the program content or website materials.

The program merchandise, materials, or website suitability, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, use or availability.

Uninterrupted, error-free, or secure access to the website or digital interfaces.

You agree and acknowledge that PHP enrollment and participation does not guarantee employment, academic credit, or state-granted professional license.

Limitation of Liability

SHRI, the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice, Fordham Law School, any faculty or other member of staff thereof, and the respective companies or other organizations affiliated with them, shall not be liable to you in any way whatsoever, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or under any other legal theory whatsoever, for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of (i) your use of or inability to use the website, program, or content, (ii) any error, omission, delay, or defect in program materials or information, (iii) any unauthorized access to or use of your personal information by others, and/or (iv) any user, participant, or other third party’s conduct or actions. The foregoing exclusions apply irrespective of the theory of liability pursuant to which damages are sought. Such limitations apply irrespective of whether SHRI has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some jurisdictions do not permit such limitations; accordingly, such limitations may not be applicable to you in their entirety.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SHRI, the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice, Fordham Law School, their faculty, staff, affiliates, and partners from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from or related to:

  • Your breach of these Terms of Use.
  • Your use or misuse of the website, program, or content.
  • Any content you submit or share using an SHRI-hosted application.
  • Your breach of another individual’s or entity’s rights.

Termination and Suspension

SHRI may terminate or suspend your access to the website, the program, or any related services, at its sole discretion, for any reason including, but not limited to:

  • Your breach of these Terms of Use and any applicable policy;
  • Fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful conduct; or
  • Conduct that threatens the safety, security, or reputation of SHRI, the faculty, school staff, or other students.

Upon termination you must discontinue all use of the program materials and any license to you under these Terms of Use will be revoked. Termination will not affect any accrued rights or obligations of either party at any time up to the date of termination.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Use and all related agreements shall be interpreted according to the laws of the State of New York, United States, without regard to its conflicts of law principles. You consent to the written or personal jurisdiction, and exclusive venue in the state and federal courts located in New York City, New York, for the adjudication of any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms of Use.

International Participants

SHRI welcomes participants from around the world. If you access the website or participate in the program from outside the United States, you are responsible for compliance with any applicable local laws and regulations. SHRI does not guarantee that content, website features, or program materials are appropriate or available for use in any jurisdiction. You may not access the program or website where such use would be unlawful in any territory or jurisdiction.

Accessibility Statement

SHRI seeks to create an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all of our participants. We make every effort to ensure that our website, digital materials, and sessions provide access to people with disabilities, and if you have specific requests or needs for accommodations or experience access barriers, please feel free to let us know as soon as you are able by contacting us at [email protected] and we will do our best to provide assistance.

Changes to the Program or Website

SHRI has the right to change, suspend, or discontinue any part of the program, website, content, or services at any time (including the faculty, course curriculum, session format, or schedule), with or without notice. SHRI will undertake reasonable efforts to notify registered participants of any significant changes to the program in a timely manner.

Force Majeure

SHRI shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under these Terms of Use resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics, labor controversies, government regulations and/or restrictions, acts of terror or war, or interruptions of internet or communication services. In any such case SHRI shall make reasonable efforts to avoid or reduce the disruption and impact on you and, where applicable, will notify you of any proposed alternative arrangements.

Severability

If any of these Terms of Use is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, then such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Non-Waiver of Rights

SHRI’s failure to enforce any right or provision outlined in these Terms of Use shall not be interpreted as a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver of rights or provisions must be documented in writing and executed by an authorized representative of the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement together with our Privacy Policy and the other policies, rules, and guidelines posted by SHRI constitute the entire agreement between you and the Leitner Summer Human Rights Institute with respect to your use of the Site and participation in the program. This agreement supersedes all prior agreements, communications, and representations between you and the Leitner Summer Human Rights Institute with regard to such use and participation.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding these Terms of Use, or are seeking to report a violation of these Terms, or otherwise require assistance with your participation in SHRI, please contact us:

Email:[email protected]
Phone:(832) 939-9983
Website:https://leitnersummerhumanrightsinstitute.org/
Address:1500 Louisiana St Ste 11, Houston TX 77002

We will be happy to assist you during business hours. We ask that participant-candidates and current participants contact us if they have any questions or concerns.

Acknowledgements and Acceptance

By using the SHRI website and by applying to, enrolling in, or participating in the Leitner Summer Human Rights Institute (SHRI), you signify that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms of Use and that you are legally bound by these Terms of Use. Your continued use of SHRI services represents your continuing acceptance of these Terms of Use and any updates to them. We appreciate your support, commitment to academic integrity, respect for others, and to furthering the cause of higher education and international human rights.