Shenandoah University cares about your privacy and your entire online experience while using university web products.
Please review our policies and practices regarding data collection and information management as contained in this document.
You are always welcome to contact us directly with any concerns about our collection methods and use of information.
Ways to Contact Us
You can ask questions, share concerns or comment using any of the following methods:
By Email
By written request to:
Office of Marketing & Communications
Shenandoah University
1460 University Drive
Winchester, Va 22601
Security
The university is committed to ensuring the security of your information. We have put in place reasonable physical, technical and administrative safeguards designed to prevent unauthorized access to or use of the information collected online.
Our site is protected by a trusted SSL certificate provided by our web hosting service in accordance with browser standards.
Data Collection
Shenandoah University collects non-personal data such as website visitors’ IP addresses, webpages viewed, as well as the date and time of visitations. Additionally, we may collect web browser information as well as operating system identity. We use this information to learn about how viewers are using our site so that we can follow trends and improve our services.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files websites send to viewers’ web browsers to deliver customized services or to maintain persistent authentication. Cookies also identify each time the user submits a query or visits the website. Cookies may be used to keep track of services viewers use, to record viewers’ preferences and for persistent authentication; that is, to keep users logged-in during form submission procedures. Cookies also may track pages users visit during each website session as a means of revealing how users travel throughout the website. This process assists the university in improving users’ experiences and helps us better understand how the website is being used. Most cookies do not track the usage of individual users with regard to their personal information.
Disabling Cookies
Shenandoah University follows industry standards with regard to creating and storing cookies on web browsers and does not require permission to store cookies on your computer. However, viewers can disable cookies at will within their web browsers using the provided documentation for each. Consult the “accept cookies” feature in your browser.
It is the responsibility of each users’ browsers to provide for secure and appropriate cookie storage.
Forms
We use forms to collect personal information wherein viewers are able to freely and willingly share information such as name, address phone number,email address and photo(s). The purpose of data collection is identified on each form. Submitters may contact us at any time to request deletion of data submitted through forms.
By submitting information to us via web forms, submitters agree to terms outlined in this policy document.
Sharing Information
Information is not shared with third parties unless required by law, as necessary to protect university interests, or in accordance with contracted service providers who have agreed to protect data confidentiality.
DMCA Notice and Takedown Procedure
Shenandoah University complies with the rules described in the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Shenandoah University will respond appropriately to notices of alleged infringement in compliance with the DMCA or applicable laws. We reserve the right to remove any materials on sites belonging to or operated by Shenandoah University in the event of an infringement claim. In compliance with the DMCA, Shenandoah University will also attempt to contact the submitter so that they may submit a counter notification.
Privacy Policy for Distance Education Students
Shenandoah University will use commercially reasonable efforts to protect student privacy with respect to online activities. Distance Education students must recognize, however, that the university administration uses analytic data (such as “cookies” or usage statistics) to ensure that systems function well and that some student activities in distance courses may be recorded for later use. Some instructional technology systems used by the university provide faculty with student usage information such as page views and time spent engaging in online activities.
In order to keep communications between faculty and students private, the university provides access to a FERPA-compliant encrypted email service. The content of such messages will not be disclosed to parties outside the university except as required by law. Student email accounts are only managed to the extent necessary to ensure adherence to university use policy or as required by law. Analytics are used to track user behavior on university websites, but this information is for internal university use only. Similarly, network traffic is only analyzed for the purposes of keeping systems operational and to ensure compliance with university policy or law. External software vendors that provide services to the university are contractually required to keep student information secure.
Links to other websites
Our website contains links to sites unaffiliated with the university. We are not responsible for privacy policies and practices of those other sites. For the sake of your privacy, we advise viewers read the respective privacy statements of other sites.
Notification of Policy Changes
Shenandoah University reserves the right to change our privacy policy at will without advance notification. An up-to-date privacy statement can always be found at this location. Updates will be noted via a data signature at the footer of this document.
Further Information
- Information Technology’s Computer Use and Information Technology Policy
- Document Retention Policy
European Union General Data Protection Regulation
(EU GDPR) Privacy Notice
Communication
Who are we?
Shenandoah University, established in 1875, is a private, nationally recognized university that blends professional career experiences with liberal education. Shenandoah University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, graduate and doctorate degrees.
Why are we requesting data?
To meet our educational and employment goals, Shenandoah University collects data regarding its campus community. We may also collect information from agents outside the university, such as alumni, job prospects and community members. We collect data for a variety of lawful purposes including, without limitation, admission, registration, delivery of education (in class, online and/or study abroad), grades, communications, housing, meal plans, research, fundraising, employment, events and records retention.
The university may request data from prospective students for evaluation for admittance to the university. This data may be maintained throughout the application process and possibly beyond, especially in the event that a person is accepted for admittance to the university wherein data is used to establish a record for the admitted student as a basis for enrollment. Data for students is maintained to assist the university in providing services to its students.
The university may request data from job applicants for evaluation for employment at the university. This data may be maintained throughout the application process and possibly beyond, especially in the event that a person is hired to work at the university. Data for employees is maintained for purposes of payroll and benefits.
The university may request data as a means of processing requests to attend university events. Examples of the type of data that Shenandoah University may need to collect for the lawful bases described above, are: name, email address, IP address, physical address or other location identifier, photos, as well as some sensitive personal data obtained with prior consent.
The university may request data from alumni and other university affiliates in order to communicate information about university campaigns and to provide materials such as university newsletters and magazines.
Why are we processing your data?
Shenandoah University processes data pursuant to our legitimate goals of providing education, research, employment, community programs or other services in furtherance of our mission.
The university processes data as a necessary component of contract fulfillment and service provisions. Further, the university processes data in order to be fully compliant with any legal obligations.
The university processes data submitted to us through forms for the purposes stated on the respective form. Such data is only collected by the willful submission of users and users may contact the university to request their data be retracted from processing and/or deleted altogether.
How long will we keep your data?
Shenandoah University will keep your data as long as legally required and in accordance with our Document Retention Policy Further, we will delete data from any form submission upon a submitter’s request unless legally prohibited from doing so.
Who receives your data?
Shenandoah University agencies and personnel – sometimes with the support of dedicated third-party vendors – are the only parties authorized to receive data collected via cookies or submitted by viewers via forms.
Consent
By submitting information to us via our web forms, submitters agree to the terms outlined in this policy document.
Children
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) protects the online privacy of children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect or maintain Personally-Identifying Information from anyone under the age of 13, unless or except as permitted by law. Any person who provides Personally-Identifying Information through the Website represents to us that he or she is 13 years of age or older. If we learn that Personally-Identifying Information has been collected from a user under 13 years of age on or through the Website, then we will take the appropriate steps to cause this information to be deleted. If you are the parent or legal guardian of a child under 13 who has transferred Personally-Identifying Information to the Website, please contact Shenandoah University using our contact information below to have that child’s account terminated and information deleted.
Access & Portability
Data submitted to through forms is available upon request, usually in the form of a spreadsheet.
Warnings
In the event of a data breach, we will notify users as required by law.
“Right to Be Forgotten”
The Shenandoah University website implements the use of cookies which users may disable at will by adjusting settings in their browsers. Users have the right to request the deletion of any data sent to us via form.
Profiling
See “Cookies” section
Marketing
Users have the right, and may submit notice to opt out of direct marketing that uses their data.
Safeguarding Sensitive Data
The university does not disclose or reveal personal data regarding the health, race, sexual orientation, religion or political beliefs of users unless legally required.
(updated June 29, 2018)