These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a legal agreement between you ("you," "user") and Studaverse ("Studaverse," "we," "us," "our"), the operator of the Studaverse application and website (the "Platform"). By creating an account or using the Platform, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use Studaverse.
1. What Studaverse Is
Studaverse is a platform that connects post-secondary students in Ottawa (currently Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, and Algonquin College) so they can buy and sell items, find and post jobs and gigs, discover and post events, ask and answer questions, and message one another.
Studaverse is a venue and intermediary only. We provide the technology that lets students connect. We are not a party to any transaction, agreement, sale, job, event, or arrangement between users. We do not buy, sell, employ, endorse, guarantee, or take part in anything users do with each other. Any dealing you have with another user — whether online or in person — is solely between you and that other user.
2. Eligibility
To use Studaverse, you must:
- Be a currently enrolled student (or eligible member) of a supported Ottawa post-secondary institution, and register with a valid institutional email address from that institution;
- Provide accurate registration information, including your legal name and date of birth;
- Have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms. If you are under the age of majority in your province (18 in Ontario), you represent that your parent or legal guardian has reviewed and agreed to these Terms on your behalf.
We may verify eligibility and may refuse, suspend, or terminate accounts that do not meet these requirements.
3. Your Account
You are responsible for your account and for keeping your login credentials secure. You must provide accurate, current, and complete information and keep it updated. You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized use.
You may not create an account for anyone else, impersonate another person, or use false information.
4. Acceptable Use and Community Guidelines
Your use of Studaverse is governed by our Community Guidelines, which are incorporated into these Terms by reference. You agree not to:
- Break any law or facilitate illegal activity;
- Harass, threaten, defame, bully, or discriminate against anyone;
- Post or trade prohibited items or services (see Community Guidelines — including but not limited to weapons, illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco/vapes, prescription medication, stolen or counterfeit goods, and academic dishonesty services such as ghostwriting or exam-taking);
- Scam, defraud, or deceive other users;
- Post spam, malware, or misleading content;
- Collect or misuse other users' personal information;
- Attempt to disrupt, reverse-engineer, scrape, or gain unauthorized access to the Platform.
We may remove content and suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, at our discretion.
5. Transactions Between Users (Marketplace, Work, Events)
All transactions, sales, jobs, gigs, events, and arrangements are strictly between users. Studaverse is not involved and takes no responsibility for them. Specifically:
- We do not verify the identity, background, or trustworthiness of users beyond requiring an institutional email.
- We do not inspect, guarantee, or warrant any item, service, job, or event, including its quality, safety, legality, or that it is as described.
- We do not process payments between users. Any payment arrangement is made directly between users, at their own risk.
- We are not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, non-payment, non-delivery, fraud, dispute, or harm arising from any transaction or interaction between users.
You are solely responsible for evaluating, and deciding whether to proceed with, any transaction or interaction.
6. In-Person Meetings and Assumption of Risk
Studaverse may lead to you meeting other users in person — to exchange items, do a job, or attend an event. You do this entirely at your own risk.
You acknowledge and agree that Studaverse is not responsible for any interaction, meeting, or activity that takes place outside the Platform, including in person. We do not supervise, and are not present at, any in-person meeting. We strongly encourage you to meet in public places, tell someone where you are going, and use good judgment. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you assume all risk of, and release Studaverse from any liability for, any injury, loss, harm, or damage arising from meeting or dealing with other users offline.
7. User Content
You retain ownership of the content you post (listings, messages, questions, answers, photos, etc.). By posting, you grant Studaverse a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, and distribute that content within and for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform.
You are responsible for your content and represent that you have the right to post it and that it does not violate these Terms, the Community Guidelines, or anyone's rights. We may remove content at our discretion.
8. Intellectual Property
The Platform itself — including the Studaverse name, logo, design, and software — is owned by Studaverse and protected by law. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from it without our written permission.
9. Disclaimers
THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Studaverse disclaims all warranties, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, secure, error-free, or that any content or user is accurate, safe, or trustworthy.
10. Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, STUDAVERSE AND ITS FOUNDERS, OWNERS, AND OPERATORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR PROPERTY, ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM OR ANY INTERACTION WITH ANOTHER USER — WHETHER ONLINE OR IN PERSON.
Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations of liability, so some of the above may not apply to you. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law.
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Studaverse and its founders, owners, and operators from any claim, loss, liability, or expense (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your use of the Platform, your content, your transactions or interactions with other users, or your breach of these Terms.
12. Suspension and Termination
We may suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time, with or without notice, if you violate these Terms or the Community Guidelines, or to protect the Platform or its users. You may stop using the Platform and delete your account at any time.
13. Governing Law and Disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable there, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. You agree that any dispute will be resolved in the courts located in Ottawa, Ontario, and you consent to their jurisdiction.
14. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you (for example, in the app or by email) and update the effective date. Continued use after changes take effect means you accept the updated Terms.
15. Contact
Questions about these Terms? Contact us through the app.