Privacy, Legal Notices, and Security Notification (Policy 61)

1. Access to the Governors State University's (GovState) web pages is provided subject to the 
   following terms and conditions. Please read these terms carefully as use of these pages 
   constitutes acceptance of all of the following terms and conditions. 
2. Privacy And Security Notification 
   This World Wide Web site is provided as a public service by GovState. 
3. Rule on Sharing of Information The GovState uses the University web for business 
   purposes and is committed to ensuring the privacy of personal information. Use of the 
   University web is subject to all applicable state and federal laws, as well as general 
   University and campus policies. It is the University’s usual practice not to share any 
   personal information with those outside the University. However, when circumstances 
   arise for the need to share information gathered from its University web servers, the 
   University may share as: 
   1. authorized by law, 
   2. required by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) for reporting purposes; 
   3. permitted under University and campus policies, 
   4. authorized by an approved GovState contract, 
   5. clearly stated at a University web site that such information will be shared and the user indicates consent by providing the information, 
   6. consent is otherwise given, 
   7. available, certain student and employee demographic information with the Governors State University Alumni Association, the Governors State University Foundation, applicant students’ community colleges and other educational institutions with questions about students who have been admitted or earned a 
      degree from the University, or 
   8. authorized for good cause by the President or Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs of Governors State University. 

   9. "Personal information" is information that is readily identifiable as belonging to a specific individual. Personal information includes personal identifiers such as an individual's name, address, phone number, social security number, etc. A domain name, date and time of access, and Internet Protocol address are examples of information that is not considered personal information. GovState will not collect personal information about you when you visit its site, unless you choose to provide such information. Personal information you choose to provide will be used by GovState only for official business. For example, if you send an e-mail message, complete a web form, or an application that contains personal information, we may retain your e-mail address and other information that you provide for official business purposes. Release of personal information you choose to provide will be governed by Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and any other applicable law. 

      If GovState retains any personal information in a computerized database, appropriate security 
      controls will be instituted to protect the information.

      If you believe that personal information provided by you to GovState contains inaccuracies or needs to be updated, please contact the appropriate office at GovState and provide updated information. 

4. Governors State University is committed to complying fully with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Accordingly, if a user of the University web is under the age of thirteen, such user is not authorized to provide GovState with personally identifying information, and the University will not use any such information in its database or other data collection activities. The University appreciates cooperation with this federally mandated requirement. Users under the age of thirteen and their parents or guardians are cautioned that the collection of personal information volunteered by unauthorized children online or by e-mail will be treated the same as information given by an adult until the University becomes aware that the user is under the age of thirteen and that such 
   information may be subject to public access. 
5. The servers and software used by GovState’s Information Technology Services (ITS), which hosts our web site, have the capability to create and analyze web site access logs. The web site access logs do not contain personal information and we make no effort to personally identify users with log data. 
6. Governors State University may use software to monitor traffic and to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, to cause harm, or otherwise to damage this site. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this server are strictly prohibited. Unauthorized use, tampering with or modification of this system - including supporting hardware or software - may subject the violator to criminal and/or civil penalties. In the event of unauthorized intrusion, all relevant information regarding possible violation of law may be provided to law enforcement officials. 
7. The GovState web site contains links to other web sites. If you follow a link to another web site, you are no longer on the GovState site and are subject to the privacy policies of the new web site. 
8. This privacy notice applies to GovState's web site: www.govst.edu, all university servers utilizing the domain name govst.edu, and any specific sub-strings of the GovState's web site. For example, www.govst.edu/admissions is considered a sub-string of this web site. 
9. Cookies and Login Security Cookies are small pieces of data stored by a web browser on a user’s computer. Cookies are often used to retain information about preferences and pages a user has visited. For example, when a user visits some sites on the web, one might see a “Welcome Back” message. The first time one visited the site a cookie was probably stored on the user’s computer; when the user returns, the cookie is read again. One can refuse to accept cookies, one can disable cookies, and one can remove cookies from one’s hard drive. 
   
   University web servers sometimes use cookies with web sites that require Governors State University community members, such as students, staff and faculty, to log in with their University provided user id and password. University community members are normally required to enter their respective user id and password when a member requests data about himself/herself or to ensure that the person is a member of the University community. These cookies are used so one will not have to repeatedly enter user names and passwords when one goes to different parts of the University web site. Governors State University is committed to fully complying with the State Agency Web Site Act (Public Act 093-117) effective January 1, 2004. Consequently, University web sites may use transactional cookies that facilitate business transactions and may not use permanent cookies or any other invasive tracking programs that monitor and track University web site viewing habits unless: 
   1. the use of permanent cookies adds value to the user otherwise not available; 
   2. there is a comprehensive online statement at the particular University web site where such permanent cookies or other invasive monitoring and tracking programs are utilized that discloses:
      1. all types of information collected at that site;
      2. the University’s use of that information; and 
      3. how the collection and use of this information adds value to the user. 
10. Online Surveys and Other Information Provided by the User 
    In the course of using this web site, a user may choose to provide information to help 
    GovState improve services or conduct research. At any time there are numerous online 
    surveys being conducted on University web sites. Person(s) responsible for conducting 
    online surveys that collect personally identifiable information should clearly state at the 
    survey site the extent to which any information provided will be shared. Aggregate data 
    from surveys may be shared with external third parties in ways that do not compromise 
    privacy. All official surveys must have been approved or found to be exempt by the 
    Institutional Research Board for Human Subjects Research (IRB) prior to posting. 
11. E-Commerce 
    Several pages within the GovState web site enable one to pay for classes, products, or 
    services online with a credit card. For additional information, please contact ITS or the 
    Business Office. 

12. Legal Notices 
    Disclaimer of Liability Neither GovState nor any of its employees or agents shall be held 
    liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information described and/or contained 
    herein. GovState, employees and agents assume no responsibility for anyone's use of the 
    information. In no event shall GovState or any employees or agents of the same be liable for 
    any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, 
    but not limited to, procurement or substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or 
    profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether 
    in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way 
    out of the use of this system, even if advised of the possibility of such damage. This 
    disclaimer of liability applies to any damages or injury, including but not limited to those 
    caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, 
    delay in operation or transmission, computer virus, communication line failure, theft or 
    destruction or unauthorized access to, alteration of, or use of record, whether for breach 
    of contract, tortious behavior, negligence or under any other cause of action. 

    Disclaimer of Warranties and Accuracy of Data Although the data found using GovState's 
    access systems has been produced and processed from sources believed to be reliable, no 
    warranty, express or implied, is made regarding accuracy, adequacy, completeness, 
    legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both 
    isolated and aggregate uses of the information. Governors State University provides this 
    information on an "as is" basis. All warranties of any kind, express or implied, including 
    but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular 
    purpose, freedom from contamination by computer viruses and non-infringement of 
    proprietary rights are disclaimed. Changes may be periodically made to the information 
    herein; these changes may or may not be incorporated in any new version of the 
    publication. If you have obtained information purportedly from any of GovState's web pages 
    from a source other than GovState's pages, be aware that electronic data can be altered 
    subsequent to original distribution. Data can also quickly become out of date. It is 
    recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of any data associated with a 
    file, and that the originator of the data or information be contacted with any questions 
    regarding appropriate use. If you find any errors or omissions, we encourage you to 
    report them to ITS. 

    Disclaimer of External Links The GovState web site contains links to other related World 
    Wide Web Internet sites and resources. Governors State University is not responsible for 
    the contents of any off-site pages referenced. The user specifically acknowledges that 
    GovState is not liable for the defamatory, offensive or illegal conduct of other users, links, or 
    third parties and that the risk of injury from the foregoing rests entirely with the user. 
    Links from GovState's web pages on the World Wide Web to other sites do not constitute an 
    endorsement. These links are provided as an information service only. It is the 
    responsibility of the web surfer to evaluate the content and usefulness of information 
    obtained from other sites. Since GovState is not responsible for the availability of these 
    outside resources or their contents, you should direct any concerns regarding any external 
    link to that site’s administrator or webmaster. 

    Disclaimer of Duty to Continue Provision of Data Due to the dynamic nature of the 
    Internet, resources that are free and publicly available one day may require a fee or 
    restricted access the next, and the location of items may change as menus, homepages, 
    and files are reorganized. The user expressly agrees that use of GovState's web site is at the 
    user's sole risk. Governors State University does not warrant that the service will be 
    uninterrupted or error free. The documents and related graphics published on this server 
    could contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically 
    made to the information herein. GovState and/or its respective agencies and programs may 
    make improvements and/or changes in the information contained herein at any time. 
    Choice of Law Construction of the disclaimers above and resolution of disputes thereof 
    are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois. All relevant Federal and State laws shall 
    apply to all uses of this data and this system. By use of this system and any data 
    contained therein, the user agrees that use shall conform to all applicable laws and 
    regulations and user shall not violate the rights of any third parties. Use of this site 
    constitutes user's assent to the terms herein set forth. 

We welcome questions about this site. Please address them to webmaster@govst.edu.