Governors State University
Privacy, Legal Notices, And Security Notification
Access to the Governors State University's (GSU) 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.
Privacy And Security Notification
This World Wide Web site is provided as a public service by GSU.
Rule on Sharing of Information The GSU 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:
- authorized by law,
- required by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) for reporting purposes;
- permitted under University and campus policies,
- authorized by an approved GSU contract,
- clearly stated at a University web site that such information will be shared and theuser indicates consent by providing the information,
- consent is otherwise given,
- 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• authorized for good cause by the President or Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs of Governors State University.
"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. GSU 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 GSU 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 GSU 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 GSU contains inaccuracies or needs to be updated, please contact the appropriate office at GSU and provide updated information. 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 GSU 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.
The servers and software used by GSU’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.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.
The GSU web site contains links to other web sites. If you follow a link to another web site, you are no longer on the GSU site and are subject to the privacy policies of the new web site.
This privacy notice applies to GSU's web site: www.govst.edu, all university servers utilizing the domain name govst.edu, and any specific sub-strings of the GSU's web site. For example, www.govst.edu/admissions is considered a sub-string of this web site.
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:
- the use of permanent cookies adds value to the user otherwise not available;
- 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:
- all types of information collected at that site;
- the University’s use of that information; and
- how the collection and use of this information adds value to the user.
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 GSU 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.
E-Commerce
Several pages within the GSU 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.
Legal Notices
Disclaimer of Liability Neither GSU 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. GSU, employees and agents assume no responsibility for anyone's use of the information. In no event shall GSU 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 GSU'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 GSU's web pages from a source other than GSU'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 GSU 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 GSU 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 GSU'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 GSU 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 GSU'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. GSU 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.
Effective 9/21/04
Revised 7/13/05; 9/25/06