ACA Policies Overview

Effective Date: June 29, 2025

 1. Legal Compliance

  • Adaptive Concepts Academy (ACA) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Michigan, USA.

  • We provide voluntary, educational mentorship to STEM students and graduates.

  • No Employment Relationship: Participation is unpaid and educational.

  • International (F1 Visa) students are responsible for maintaining their own immigration compliance.

  • ACA provides project activity reporting templates and record retention ACA Google Drive folders for all students.

  • Learning Focus: All projects serve educational and community-benefit goals.

  • Ownership: Participants retain rights to their own work; ACA may share outcomes for public benefit.

  • No Job Guarantee: ACA does not provide employment, sponsorship, or hiring promises.

 

2. Privacy Policy

  • ACA values your privacy and protects your personal information.

  • Information Collected:

    • Basic personal and academic details you provide

    • Application materials and communications

  • How We Use It:

    • To process applications, provide program services, and respond to inquiries

    • To improve our website and maintain legal compliance

  • Data Sharing:

    • ACA never sells or shares data for marketing purposes.

  • Data Security:

    • We apply reasonable safeguards to protect your information.

    • By using ACA’s site or services, you consent to this policy.

 

3. Accessibility

  • ACA is committed to web accessibility following WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.

  • Features include:

    • Alt text for images

    • Clear headings and structure

    • Keyboard navigation

    • High-contrast text

    • Mobile-friendly design

 

4. Terms of Use

  • By participating in ACA programs, you agree to the following:

    • Educational Purpose: Activities are for learning only and not employment.

    • Eligibility & Conduct: Participants must act professionally and submit updates.

  • Intellectual Property: Participants receive credit for their work. ACA may share or publish project results for educational purposes.

  • Code of Conduct: Respectful, honest participation is required.

  • Liability: ACA is not liable for employment or immigration outcomes.

  • Policy Updates: Terms may change; continued participation means acceptance.

 

5. Intellectual Property Policy

  • ACA retains ownership of IP created within its Educational Training Program (ETP) while granting participants a royalty-free license to use their work for:

  • Portfolios and resumes

  • Academic or professional demonstrations

  • This ensures:

  • Clear, consistent ownership through participant turnover

  • Open sharing and educational transparency

  • Compliance with nonprofit and funding requirements

 

6. Non-Discrimination

  • ACA provides an inclusive learning environment, welcoming all individuals regardless of:

    • race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, orientation, disability, religion, age, veteran status, or immigration status.

  • We encourage participation from underrepresented groups in STEM.

 

7. Code of Conduct

  • All participants agree to:

    • Treat others with respect and professionalism

    • Embrace diversity and avoid harassment or discrimination

    • Submit original work and credit collaborators

    • Communicate honestly and actively participate

    • Notify ACA of changes in participation

    • Use ACA platforms for educational purposes only

  • Violations may result in dismissal from the program. Reports are handled confidentially.