Terms & Conditions

Welcome to the Data Science Association ("Association") website ("Website"). These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Website as well as your participation as a member, partner, manager, or director of the Association.

By using the Website or by becoming or continuing to be a member, partner, manager, or director of the Association, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Website or participate in the Association.

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms constitute the governing principles of the Association. They outline the purpose and operation of the Association and the rights and obligations of its members, partners, managers, and directors.

By using the Website or becoming a member, partner, manager, or director of the Association, you agree to be bound by these Terms. This includes your agreement to use the DSA Dispute Resolution Process in the event of a dispute. To start this process, you must complete the online Dispute Resolution Form, which is available via links in the footer of the DSA website and under the "Membership" top menu.

The Association may update these Terms from time to time without notice. Your continued use of the Website or participation in the Association will signify your agreement to the revised Terms.

2. Description of Services

The Website is a platform for Association members, partners, managers, and directors to connect, share information, and access resources and Association services. The Association may, at its sole discretion, add or remove features or functionalities, and may impose limits on certain services or restrict your access to the Website without notice or liability.

3. User Conduct

You agree to use the Website and participate in all Association services and activities, whether online or at in-person events, in a way that aligns with the Association's mission and values, and in compliance with all applicable laws. You agree not to engage in any illegal or unauthorized conduct, including, but not limited to:

Posting or transmitting any content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, or invasive of another's privacy.

Transmitting any material that contains viruses, Trojan horses, worms, or other harmful components.

Interfering with the operation of the Website, its servers, or any Association event or service.

Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the Website or any part of it.

Using Association platforms or events to solicit or promote commercial products or services without explicit permission.

4. User Registration

Some Website features may require you to create an account. You agree to provide accurate and complete information when you create your account and are responsible for keeping your login information confidential. You are also responsible for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify the Association immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.

5. Intellectual Property

The Website and all its content—including text, software, data, images, and other materials—are the property of the Association or its licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, distribute, modify, reproduce, or create derivative works from any content without the prior written consent of the Association or the licensor.

Content you create and share as a member, partner, manager, or director of the Association remains your intellectual property. However, by submitting this content to the Association's platforms, you grant the Association a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, and display the content in connection with the Association's mission and services.

6. Third-Party Links

The Website may contain links to third-party websites. The Association is not responsible for the content or availability of these sites and does not endorse them. You agree not to hold the Association liable for any loss or damages arising from your use of any third-party websites.

Your use of any third-party links or services is entirely at your own risk. The Association makes no warranties regarding the quality, accuracy, safety, or reliability of any third-party content or services. The Association is not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such sites or resources.

7. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Website is provided "as is" and "as available." The Association makes no warranties, express or implied, about the Website's operation or the information, content, or materials it contains. Your use of the Website is at your sole risk.

Your reliance on information or content from other Association members, partners, managers, or directors is entirely at your own risk. The Association makes no warranties regarding the quality, accuracy, safety, or reliability of any such information or content. The Association is not responsible or liable for any content, products, or materials provided by other members, partners, managers, or directors.

8. Limitation of Liability

The Association is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages—including damages for loss of profits, goodwill, or data—arising from your use or inability to use the Website, or your participation in any Association event or activity. This limitation applies whether the event is held online or at a third-party physical location (such as conferences, recreational activities, or workshops), even if the Association has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

The Association is not liable for any acts, errors, or omissions of any third-party service providers, including but not limited to hotels, venues, transportation companies, or recreational activity organizers. Your use of any third-party services, including accommodations, travel, or other activities arranged in connection with an Association event, is entirely at your own risk. The Association disclaims all responsibility for any injuries, damages, or losses that may occur while using such third-party services.

Your reliance on information or content from other Association members, partners, managers, or directors is entirely at your own risk. The Association makes no warranties regarding the quality, accuracy, safety, or reliability of any such information or content. The Association is not responsible or liable for any content, products, or materials provided by other members, partners, managers, or directors. 

In no event shall the Association be held liable for the actions, conduct, or omissions of other members, partners, managers, or directors. You acknowledge and agree that your interactions with other individuals within the Association, both online and at physical events, are solely at your discretion and risk. The Association is not responsible for any personal injury, property damage, or other harm resulting from the actions of others.

9. Termination

The Association reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to suspend or terminate your membership, partnership, management position, directorship, and/or your access to the Website, Association services, and all related activities, at any time, for any reason or no reason, without notice or liability.

Reasons for termination may include, but are not limited to:

A breach of these Terms & Conditions.

Violations of the Association's Code of Conduct or policies.

Conduct that the Association, in its sole judgment, deems inappropriate or harmful to the Association, its members, or its brand.

Inactivity or non-renewal of a membership.

Upon termination, your right to use the Website and participate in any and all Association services and activities, both online and in-person, will immediately cease. The Association shall not be liable to you or any third party for any claims or damages arising from such termination. All provisions of these Terms which, by their nature, should survive termination, shall remain in full force and effect.

10. Alternative Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute arising from these Terms, all members, partners, managers, or directors of the Association are obligated to use the DSA Dispute Resolution Process. This process is the mandatory first step for resolving any and all disputes.

To initiate this process, you must complete the online Dispute Resolution Form, which is available via links in the footer of the DSA website and under the "Membership" top menu.

10.1. Negotiation

After submitting the Dispute Resolution Form, the parties will first attempt to resolve the dispute through good faith negotiation. If a resolution is not reached within 100 days of the initial submission, the parties will then proceed to mediation.

10.2. Mediation

If negotiation fails, the dispute will be submitted to mediation. The mediation will be confidential and conducted by a neutral mediator selected by the parties or, if they cannot agree, by JAMS. The cost of the JAMS mediator will be borne equally by each party to the mediation. All parties to the dispute shall be responsible for their own legal and attorney fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with the resolution of the dispute, regardless of the outcome of the dispute.

The mediator cannot bind the parties to a decision.

If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute through mediation, they shall then proceed to arbitration.

10.3. Arbitration

If mediation is unsuccessful, the dispute will be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the rules of JAMS.

The arbitrator shall be a single neutral arbitrator selected by mutual agreement of the parties or, if the parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator, by the JAMS alternative dispute resolution services provider.

The arbitration will be held in the State of Delaware, United States, or online if all parties agree. 

The cost of the JAMS arbitrator will be borne equally by each party to the arbitration. 

All parties to the dispute shall be responsible for their own legal and attorney fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with the resolution of the dispute, regardless of the outcome of the dispute.

The arbitrator, selected by the parties or by JAMS, will be neutral and will apply only the laws of the State of Delaware, United States.

The arbitrator shall be strictly bound to only apply the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

The arbitrator shall issue a written decision within twenty (20) days of the end of the arbitration hearing.

The arbitrator shall have the authority to bind the parties to the arbitration award. The arbitration award shall be final and binding on the parties.

The parties hereby waive their respective rights to a jury trial in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the arbitration and these Terms, or the breach thereof.

The parties may seek to enforce the final arbitration award by filing an action in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware, United States.

If any provision of this Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Clause is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be struck from this ADR Clause and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

This DSA Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Clause constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the resolution of disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms. This ADR Clause supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, or agreements, whether oral or written, with respect to the resolution of disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms.

10.4. Waiver of Right to Jury Trial

The parties waive their right to a jury trial in any legal action related to these Terms.

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States. Any disputes not legally resolved by alternative dispute resolution and/or arbitration will be resolved exclusively in the courts of the State of Delaware.

12. Severability

If any part of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that part will be removed, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

13. Entire Agreement

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Website as well as your participation as a member, partner, manager, or director of the Association and constitutes the entire agreement between the parties including the resolution of disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms. These Terms supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, or agreements, whether oral or written, with respect to participation as a member, partner, manager, or director of the Association and the resolution of disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms.