University Internet Privacy Policy

Introduction

Pacific University is dedicated to ensuring the privacy and accuracy of your confidential information. We do not actively share any personal information gathered from our web servers with any third parties, however in some cases we may be compelled by law to release information gathered from our web servers such as e-mails sent to the website, and information collected from web-based forms.

Pacific University also complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which prohibits the release of education records without student permission. Although FERPA regulations apply only to Pacific students, Pacific University is equally committed to protecting the privacy of all visitors to our website.

Some sites hosted by Pacific may adopt different privacy statements as their specific needs require. If any Pacific website has a privacy statement that is different from this statement, that policy must be approved by University Advancement and University Information Services and be posted on their site. However, those sites cannot adopt a privacy statement that in any way supersedes federal or state regulations.

External Websites

Pacific University's website contains links to hundreds of external websites. The University is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of the external websites we link to.

Information We Gather

Our web servers generate temporary logs that contain the following information:

  • IP Address (Internet Address of the computer being used)
  • Webpages requested
  • Referring webpage
  • Browser/Operating System used
  • Date and Time of access

The data is used in aggregate by system administrators and web content managers to tune the website for its efficiency and is not associated with specific individuals. Data from the web server logs may be shared with employees of Pacific University as is relevant to their job responsibilities. Additionally, this information may also be released to third party vendors for the purposes of analysis. Summary reports produced from the logs help the Pacific University web team and web editors at Pacific determine what web browsers and pages are most popular.

Cookies

Cookies are small pieces of data stored by the web browser. Cookies are often used to remember information about preferences and pages you have visited. You can refuse to accept cookies, can disable cookies, and remove cookies from your hard drive.

The Pacific University site uses cookies to track web traffic patterns anonymously and for authentication purposes to online portals such as BoxerOnline. These cookies are used so you will not have to repeatedly enter user names and passwords when you go to different parts of the website. Some websites within Pacific University may also use cookies to retain user preference information. It is against University policy to share this information with external third parties.

Security and Accuracy of Confidential Information

Pacific University does its best to ensure that the personal information we have about you is accurate. Users with a PUNETID can check and update personal information, such as their addresses and email addresses at myAccount. Although no computer system is 100 percent secure, the Pacific has deployed extensive security measures to protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control.

E-Commerce

Several sites within Pacific's domain may enable you to pay for products or services online with a credit card. Unless otherwise noted, these transactions are encrypted. It is University policy that the confidential information you enter in the transaction is used only for the purposes described in that transaction, unless an additional use is specifically stated on that site.

Sharing of Information

Consistent with FERPA, we do not release personal student information to other parties unless we receive explicit written authorization to do so.

Public Forums

Pacific University may make chat rooms, forums, message boards, public directories and news groups available to its users. The University does not ordinarily log public chat sessions, however, any information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public information and you should therefore exercise caution when deciding to disclose your confidential information in such places.

Online Surveys

At any given time there may be numerous online surveys being conducted on Pacific's website. It is University policy that confidential information gathered in these online surveys is used only for the purposes indicated in the survey. Unless otherwise noted on the specified survey, your answers are confidential and individual responses will not be shared with other parties unless required by law. Aggregate data from surveys may be shared with external third parties.

Online Forms & Communications

Pacific University collects information about you through completed and submitted forms on our website. Information may include your name, mailing address, phone number, email address and other data in order to contact or conduct business with you (such as applying for admission, making a gift, etc.). If at any time you wish to change your communication preferences or be removed from our mailing lists, please email data@pacificu.edu or contact Advancement Services at 503-352-1574.

Questions

If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, email webteam@pacificu.edu.