Information We Collect
We collect information from you in various ways when you interact with our websites:
- Information You Provide to Us: We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us through forms, applications, surveys, email sign-ups, and other direct interactions. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Name, address, phone number, and email address.
- Demographic information such as age, gender, and interests.
- Information required for admissions applications, financial aid, event registration or donations.
- Payment information for online transactions (handled securely by a third-party payment processor).
- Information Collected Automatically: When you visit our websites, our servers automatically collect certain information. This "Usage Data" is non-personally identifiable and helps us understand how our sites are used and how we can improve them. This includes:
- Your IP address (a number assigned to your computer to identify it on the Internet).
- The type of web browser and operating system you are using.
- The pages you visit on our sites and the time and date of your visit.
- The website you came from ("referring URL").
- Information collected through "cookies" (small text files stored on your browser) and other tracking technologies to personalize your experience and analyze website traffic.
How We Use Your Information
The information we collect is used for various legitimate educational and business purposes, including to:
- Provide you with the information, services, or products you have requested (e.g., sending you a newsletter or admissions materials).
- Process applications for admission, financial aid, or employment.
- Administer and manage your student or alumni accounts.
- Conduct internal research and analysis to improve our programs, services, and websites.
- Communicate with you about university news, events, and opportunities.
- Enhance website security and protect against fraudulent activity.
How We Protect Your Information
°ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ has implemented a range of security measures to protect the information under our control. These measures include technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or alteration of data. While no system is 100% secure, we use industry-standard security practices, such as encryption and firewalls, to protect data transmitted to and from our websites.
Disclosure of Information to Third Parties
°ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ will not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties. We may, however, share your information in the following limited circumstances:
- Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf (e.g., payment processing, data analysis, email marketing). These vendors are contractually obligated to use your information only for the services they provide to us and to protect it with appropriate security measures.
- Legal Compliance: We may disclose personal information if required by law or a valid legal process, such as a subpoena or court order, to protect the rights, property, or safety of °ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ, our community, or the public.
- With Your Consent: We may share your information with third parties if you have given us explicit consent to do so.
Your Privacy Rights
As a user of our websites, you have certain rights concerning your personal information:
- Opt-Out: You can opt-out of receiving future communications from us by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in our emails or by contacting the relevant university office.
- Cookies: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies. You can set your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, some features of our websites may not function properly without cookies.
- GDPR (European Union): Under the General Data Protection Regulation, individuals in the EU have the "right to erasure," allowing them to request the deletion of their personal data when it is no longer necessary for its original purpose or when consent is withdrawn.
- California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA): California residents have the right to request that businesses delete personal information collected from them, subject to certain legal exceptions.
- Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (SB 619): Effective July 1, 2024, Oregon’s SB 619 grants Oregonians several rights, including the right to obtain a copy of their personal data, correct inaccuracies, and request the deletion of personal data provided by or obtained about the consumer.
Limitations & Additional Privacy Policies
The Online Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through our websites. Additional laws and policies may apply to the management of student, employee and/or patient records. For additional information, see university policies related to:
- FERPA: If you are a student, your education records are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For more information on your rights under FERPA, please refer to the university’s student privacy and confidentiality information.
- Health Information Privacy: If you receive services at one of our healthcare clinics, your protected health information (PHI) is governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). For details on how we handle your clinical data, please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices.
- Personnel Records: Please see the university’s Personnel Records Policy for details on privacy and access to employee records.
Data Security Incident and Breach Notification
While °ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ implements industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, no system is entirely invulnerable. In the event of an unauthorized acquisition or use of unencrypted personal data that compromises its security or integrity ("Data Breach"), we are committed to prompt and transparent action.
- Commitment to Notification: We will comply with all applicable federal, state, and international laws to notify affected individuals and regulatory authorities of a Data Breach without unreasonable delay.
- Notification Content: Our notification will include, to the extent permitted by law, a description of the breach, the types of information involved, the steps we have taken to contain the incident, and a contact point for individuals to get further information.
- Mitigation: Where a Data Breach poses a significant risk of harm or identity theft, °ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ will take reasonable steps to mitigate harm, which may include offering resources or services to affected individuals.
Links to External Websites
The °ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ website contains links to hundreds of external websites that are not operated by the university. We are not responsible for the content, security, or privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.
Changes to this Policy
°ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ reserves the right to amend this policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Online Privacy Policy or how your data is being handled, please contact the university at data@pacificu.edu.