Terms of Use for “Ellie” (EdSights Artificial Intelligence Chatbot)

Version: 03.26.2026.1

These Terms of Use govern your access to and use of Ellie, the EdSights Artificial Intelligence chatbot made available to Dallas College students, along with any associated software applications, websites, features, and content (collectively, the “Services”).

By sending text messages to Ellie, downloading, installing, registering with, accessing or using the Services, you agree to these Terms of Use (the “Terms”). If you do not agree, do not use the Services and opt-out in accordance with the Terms.

1. What is Ellie?

   Ellie uses a combination of artificial intelligence and human support to communicate with students on behalf of Dallas College via SMS (text message) to provide Dallas College students help with communications and resource navigation; it does not make academic, disciplinary or financial decisions about students. Students can reply directly to text messages to ask questions or share feedback. Responses may be generated on behalf of Dallas College automatically through the EdSights system or supported by trained staff who help ensure students receive accurate information and guidance. The service is designed to help students quickly find information and connect with campus resources when needed. Ellie is available for use by Dallas College students via an agreement between Dallas College and EdSights, a third-party vendor and technology provider for Dallas College. Dallas College does not own or control Ellie and does not represent or warrant that the Services provided by Ellie and EdSights are, or will be, accurate or reliable. By accepting these Terms, you acknowledge that Dallas College has made no representation as to the fitness of the Services for your intended use.

2. Access and Minimum Age.

   1. Minimum Age.

      You must be at least 18 years old, or the minimum age required in your State or country to consent to use the Services. If you are under 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s permission to use the Services. Any legal guardian granting permission for a user under the age of 18, hereby represents and warrants the users shall be supervised by the legal guardian granting permission at all times during use of the Services.

   2. Accounts and Accuracy.

      When enrolling with Dallas College, you must provide accurate and complete information and are responsible for all activities under your Dallas College account, including but not limited to interactions with the Services through your device(s). You may not share your credentials or make your device or account available to anyone else. If you create an account or use the Services on behalf of another person, you must have the legal authority to accept these Terms on their behalf. The use of the Services is intended only by students enrolled in Dallas College and subject to these Terms of Use. Dallas College hereby expressly disclaims any and all liability, including any implied or express warranties, whether oral or written, for any use of the Services by a person not enrolled as a student at Dallas College.

3. Use of the Services.

   1. Permitted Use.

      Subject to your compliance with these Terms, you may access and use the Services in accordance with all applicable laws, Dallas College policies, regulations, student codes conduct, and rules, that apply in relation to your use of the Services.

   2. Prohibited Conduct.

      You may not use the Services for any illegal, harmful, or abusive activity, including but not limited to: (a) infringing, misappropriating, or violating anyone’s rights; (b) bullying, harassing, or intimidating others; (c) disseminating harmful, abusive, defamatory or threatening content; (d) modifying, copying, leasing, selling, or distributing the Services; (e) reverse engineering, decompiling, or discovering source code or underlying components (except where prohibited restrictions are unenforceable under applicable law); (f) automatically or programmatically extracting data or output; (g) representing AI-generated output as human-generated, when it was not; (h) interfering with or disrupting the Services or bypassing protective measures; or (i) using output to develop models that compete with Ellie.

   3. Cell Phone Service and Internet.

      Certain functions of the Services may require the Services to have active cell phone service and/or an internet connection. You are solely responsible for all requirements, obligations, and costs related to cell phone service and internet needed to access and utilize the Services, including but not limited to expenses incurred by mobile providers for internet, text messaging, roaming, or data charges. Ellie requires a stable internet connection or cellular service to operate. Dallas College is not responsible for any connectivity issues, including slow speeds, outages, or service interruptions, which may affect the functionality of the Services. You are solely responsible for ensuring adequate cell phone service and/or network coverage and connectivity. Dallas College makes no warranties that Ellie or the Services will function properly with your specific internet provider or cellular carrier. Any inability to use the Services due to poor service or lack of connectivity is not the responsibility of Dallas College.

   4. Device(s).

      You acknowledge that a compatible device with reliable cellular phone and/or internet is required to access and utilize the Services. You are solely responsible for selecting, acquiring, and maintaining said device(s) and all liabilities, costs or expenses associated with the device(s) you choose to utilize to access the Services.

   5. Security.

      The Services are not guaranteed, warranted or represented to be secure. By accepting the Terms, you acknowledge and accept that the Services and any information you download or offer to share by means of the Services, may be exposed to unauthorized access, interception, corruption, damage or misuse. You accept all responsibility for such security risks and any damage resulting therefrom. Further, you agree you are solely responsible for securing your device(s) from unauthorized access or cyber-attacks, malware, unauthorized access, or similar.

   6. Third‑Party Services.

      The Services may include or interact with third-party software and vendors, including but not limited to EdSights products, or services and may involve or include third-party output; such third-party elements are subject to their own terms, and Dallas College is not responsible nor liable for them.

4. Content and Privacy.

   1. Your Content.

      You may provide input to the Services (“Input”) and receive output based on the Input (“Output,” and together with Input, “Content”). You are responsible for Content, and you represent and warrant that you have all rights, licenses, and permissions needed to provide Input to our Services. You are solely and strictly responsible and liable for your Content and the consequences of posting or publishing them in any way, including for ensuring that your Content does not violate any applicable laws and these Terms (including applicable Dallas College polices, student conduct codes, rules and regulations). Additionally, you understand and agree that Dallas College shall have no responsibility or liability whatsoever for your Content including but not limited to use of copyrightable materials such as literary works, phrases, entries, text, and any other materials, which may be provided to or in the Services. Use of the Services to violate or circumvent Dallas College policies including but not limited to those related to academic integrity are strictly prohibited.

   2. Prohibited Submissions; Consent to Use and Release.

      You shall not input, upload, or otherwise provide to or through the Services, any sensitive, confidential, or protected information, including but not limited to information protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), personally identifiable information, financial information, health or medical information, government-issued identification numbers, or any other information that a reasonable person would consider private or confidential. If you nevertheless provide any such information, you hereby expressly: (a) acknowledge and agree that Dallas College may collect, process, use, disclose, and share that information as Dallas College deems appropriate in its sole discretion; and (b) release, waive, and forever discharge Dallas College and its employees, agents, trustees, officers, and contractors, from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, damages, losses, costs, and expenses of any kind or nature, whether known or unknown, arising out of or relating to your Input, provision, or disclosure of such information.

   3. Grant of License.

      From the time of uploading or transmission of Input, you grant Dallas College a non-exclusive, irrevocable, fully-paid, royalty-free, perpetual, sub-licensable, transferrable, worldwide, license and right to store, use, broadcast, reproduce, modify, make derivative works of, record, sublicense (on multiple levels), translate, transmit, publish, publicly display or otherwise exploit, for the limited purpose of operating, improving, troubleshooting, debugging, protecting and customizing the existing and future products of the Services and its affiliates, including but not limited to training Ellie, developing new features or future products and in all formats and mediums and with any technology now known or hereafter developed without notice, permission, payment or any additional compensation to you or a third party.

   4. Feedback.

      If you provide feedback, you agree it may be used by Dallas College for any purpose, in perpetuity, without restriction or compensation.

   5. Similarity of Content.

      Due to the nature of AI, output may not be unique and similar outputs may be generated for other users.

   6. Use of Content.

      Content may be used by Dallas College to provide, maintain, develop, and improve Services, to comply with law, enforce terms and policies, and maintain safety, or for any other purposes Dallas Colleges deems appropriate. Additionally, to provide the text messaging service, EdSights may process limited student information provided by Dallas College, such as a student’s name, phone number, and basic enrollment information. Information shared through text conversations may be used to: Respond to student questions; Identify common challenges students may be experiencing; Help the university improve student support services; and other legitimate education or service related purposes.

   7. Notice EdSights Handles Content Data in Connection with Ellie.

      As a third-party vendor and service provider to Dallas College, EdSights handles data on behalf of Dallas College in connection with Ellie and the Services. By using the Services, and notwithstanding the foregoing ownership, you grant Dallas College a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid license to: process, use, and disclose your Content as necessary to provide, operate, maintain, support, and improve the Services, including providing analytics and compliance with the agreement between Dallas College and EdSights. To the extent applicable, EdSights operates as a service provider (“school official”) of Dallas College and handles student information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Under FERPA, institutions may share limited student information with contracted service providers that perform institutional services or functions on their behalf. EdSights uses student data solely to provide services for the College and does not use student information for unrelated purposes. Access to student information is restricted to authorized personnel and systems necessary to operate the service. EdSights maintains administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect student information. Data collected through the service is handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws and institutional policies. For information regarding the contract between EdSights and Dallas College contact _____________________@dallascollege.com.

5. Limitations of AI and Appropriate Use of Output

   1. Limitations.

      You understand and agree that:

      1. AI systems may generate incomplete, incorrect, or offensive outputs and may not accurately reflect real people, places, or facts;
      2. You should not rely on the Services as a sole source of truth, factual information, or as a substitute for human or professional advice;
      3. The Services may not be suitable for your needs;
      4. Output is not advice, guidance or information provided by Dallas College in any way or it does not represent Dallas College’s views or opinions;
      5. Your use of any Services is entirely at your own sole risk; and
      6. Ellie and the Services are NOT monitored in real time by humans and you should not utilize Ellie or the output for urgent, time-sensitive, or emergency situations, including but not limited to mental health and medical emergencies. The Content of the output, such as text, graphics, images, and other material generated by the Services are for informational purposes only. The output is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dallas College does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, or timeliness of information in the output. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Services. If you are in a mental health crisis or you think you may have a mental health emergency call the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately. If you are in another emergency, call 911, or the appropriate emergency line immediately.

   2. Your Responsibility.

      You must evaluate Output for accuracy and appropriateness, including using human review as appropriate, before using or sharing it.

   3. Sensitive Uses.

      You must not use Output relating to a person for any purpose that could have a legal or material impact on that person, including but not limited to credit, educational, employment, housing, insurance, legal, or medical decisions.

6. Intellectual Property

   Dallas College and its third-party vendors or affiliates (where applicable) own all rights, title, and interest in and to the Services; you may not use Ellie, or Dallas College’s logo, marks, name, brand, or image, without the prior written approval of Dallas College.

7. Termination and Suspension

   You may stop using the services at any time. Dallas College may immediately suspend or terminate access with or without notice if: (a) you breach these Terms; (b) required to comply with law; (c) your use could cause risk or harm to Dallas College, its users, or others; or (d) Dallas College determines in its sole discretion, termination is in the best interest of Dallas College. Accounts inactive for over a year without a paid account may be terminated with advance notice. Appeals of suspensions or terminations may be submitted to Dallas College Support at _____________________@dallascollege.com.

8. Discontinuation

   The Services are provided as a free service by Dallas College, as a courtesy for students, and may be discontinued with or without notice, at any time, in the sole discretion of Dallas College. Interruption, unavailability, or discontinuation of the Services shall not be grounds for any claims, refunds, credits, damages, or similar, against Dallas College.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Services are provided “AS IS.” To the extent permitted by law, Dallas College, its employees, agents, officers, and trustees, disclaim all warranties, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, satisfactory quality, non-infringement, quiet enjoyment, and any arising from course of dealing or trade usage; no warranty the Services will be uninterrupted, accurate, error-free, or that content will be secure or not lost or altered. You accept that any use of the Services is at your sole risk and you will not rely on the Services as a sole source of truth or as a substitute for emergency services or professional advice.

   Without limitation, Dallas College makes no warranty that the services will meet your requirements, that they will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free, that the results obtained from the use of the services will be accurate or reliable or that the quality of the services will meet your expectations. Dallas college assumes no liability or responsibility for any damages, including but not limited to property damage of any nature whatsoever, resulting from your access to and use of the services; any unauthorized access to or use of our servers and/or any and all personal information and/or financial information stored therein; any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from the services or our servers; any bugs, viruses, trojan horses or like which may be transmitted to or through the services by any third party or any errors or omissions in any content or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a consequence of the use of any content posted, e-mailed, transmitted or otherwise made available via the services.

   The entire risk arising out of use or performance of the Services remains solely on you. Dallas College expressly disclaims all warranties relating to products and/or services provided by third party providers. The warranty disclaimers in this section constitute an essential part of this agreement.

10. Limitation of Liability

    To the maximum extent permitted by law, you expressly understand and agree that Dallas College and its officers, trustees, contractors, agents, or employees, shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses, resulting from: (i) the use or the inability to use the Services; (ii) unauthorized access to or alteration of your device(s), transmission or data; (iii) statements or conduct of any third party or (iv) your reliance on any Output or Services; or (v) any other matter relating to the Services. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; in such cases, responsibilities are limited to the maximum extent permissible.

11. Indemnity

    You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Dallas College, its officers, trustees, contractors, agents, employees, and third party service providers (collectively, the “Indemnitees”) from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (collectively, “Claim(s)”), that actually or allegedly and directly or indirectly result from your Content, infringement or misappropriation of another party’s intellectual property rights, use of the Services, or your breach of the Terms.

    You agree to be solely responsible for defending any Claim against or suffered by any Indemnitee, subject to the relevant Indemnitee’s right to participate with counsel of its own choosing and for payment of damages or losses resulting from all claims against any Indemnitee provided that you will not agree to any settlement that imposes any obligation or liability on any Indemnitee without Dallas College’s prior express written consent.

12. Copyright Complaints

    If you believe your intellectual property rights have been infringed within the Services, you may send notice to Dallas College’s designated agent at: Dallas College 1601 Botham Jean Blvd., Suite 208, Dallas, Texas, 75215-1816, Attn: Office of General Counsel / Robert C. Wendland, General Counsel.

13. Changes to the Services or These Terms

    Dallas College is committed to ensuring that Ellie is as helpful to students as possible. For that reason, we reserve the right to make changes to Services, at any time and for any reason. Additionally, Dallas College may update its Terms or Services for reasons including but not limited to changes in law, safety, circumstances beyond control of Dallas College, product development, or new technologies. Changes to the Services and Terms are effective upon update, posting, or notice. If you do not agree to changes, you must immediately stop using the Services and opt-out in accordance with these Terms.

14. General

    1. Assignment.

       You may not assign or transfer rights or obligations under these Terms; Dallas College may assign to an affiliate, subsidiary, or successor.

    2. No Waiver; Severability.

       Failure to enforce is not a waiver. If any portion is invalid or unenforceable, it will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and will not affect the remaining terms, except as otherwise stated in the dispute resolution section. You expressly acknowledge Dallas College is a political subdivision of the State of Texas and nothing in the Terms will be construed as a waiver or relinquishment by Dallas College of its right to claim such exemptions, privileges, and immunities as may be provided by law, including but not limited to the sovereign immunity by Dallas College or the State of Texas.

    3. Compliance with Law.

       You must comply with all local, state, federal or international laws applicable to your use of the Services. In no event shall Dallas College be responsible to you or third party for your failure to comply with local, state, federal or international laws.

    4. Entire Agreement.

       These Terms, together with any service-specific terms, constitute the entire agreement between you and Dallas College regarding the Services and supersede any prior or contemporaneous agreements.

    5. Governing Law and Venue.

       The Terms and the applicable statute of limitations for any cause of action brought by or against Dallas College pursuant to the Terms will be governed by the laws of the State of Texas without regard to choice of law principles. You hereby expressly consent to the jurisdiction of the courts in Dallas County, Texas over any proceeding initiated with respect to the Services or these Terms.

15. Contact and Opt‑Out

    For questions about these Terms or Ellie at Dallas College, contact: [__________@dallascollege.edu. To opt out of using Ellie, you can reply STOP to the Ellie text message AI chat through your mobile device, or you can email [__________@dallascollege.edu] from your Dallas College email address providing the following statement and information: “Please opt me out of the Ellie chatbot feature for the following account [name, student identification number, registered phone number].”

16. Notice to the User: This is a legally binding agreement.

    This is a legally binding agreement. If you do not understand this agreement, or do not agree to be bound by it, you must immediately discontinue use of the services and opt out as detailed in the terms above. Depending on the laws of the jurisdiction where you live, you may have certain rights that cannot be waived through this agreement and that are in addition to the terms of this agreement and certain provisions of this agreement might be unenforceable as to you. To the extent that any term or condition of this agreement is unenforceable, the remainder of the agreement shall remain in full force and effect. No modifications, supplements, addendums, amendments or similar, to this agreement, shall be binding against Dallas College unless in writing and signed by an authorized agent of Dallas College. By agreeing to these terms you hereby confirm that you are at least 18 years old (or if you are under 18 years old or under the legal majority age where you live, that you are using the services only with the approval of your parents or legal guardian), that you are legally able to enter into this agreement, and that you have completely read, understood and agree to be bound by this agreement.

    Due to the provisions of general data protection regulation, we currently do not allow use of or access to Ellie or the services by users when users are located outside of the United States or its territories. If you are currently located or domiciled outside of the United States or its territories, use of Ellie or the services is prohibited.

17. Notice to Parents and Legal Guardians:

    by granting your child approval to download, install, use, access, or register with, the services, you hereby agree to the terms of this agreement on behalf of your child. You are responsible for exercising supervision over your child’s online and off-line activities or omissions. If you do not agree to this agreement, please do not let your child use the services and associated features. If you are the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 and believe that he or she is using the services without your prior approval, please contact us at __________@dallascollege.com.

    By texting, downloading, installing, registering with, accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms.