This Privacy Policy addresses collection, use, security of and access to information that may be obtained through use of the South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) website. This policy covers the following:
Information collected and how it is used
Information collected if you only browse this site
If you do nothing during your visit to our website but browse, read pages, or download information, we will gather and store certain information about your visit. This information does not identify you personally. We automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:
- The Internet Protocol Address and domain name used. The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. We use the Internet Protocol Address to direct Internet traffic to you. This address can be translated to determine the domain name of your service provider (for example, com or yourschool.edu);
- The type of browser and operating system you used;
- The date and time you visited this site;
- The Web pages or services you accessed at this site; and
- The Web site you visited prior to coming to this Web site.
The information we automatically collect or store is logged and used by SPSCC only to improve the content of our Web services and to help us understand how people are using our services. SPSCC analyzes the website logs to determine how our website is being used, so that we may continually improve the site’s usefulness to the public.
What we collect if you volunteer information
If during your visit to our website you participate in a survey, send an email, or perform some other transaction online, the following additional information will be collected:
- The email address and contents of email, for those who communicate with us via email.
- Information volunteered in response to a survey.
- Information volunteered through an online form for any other purpose.
The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats you send us.
We use your email to respond appropriately. This may be to respond to you, to address issues you may identify, to further improve our website, or to forward the email to another agency for appropriate action.
The use of survey information will be described as part of that survey. Information from other online forms is used for access to online student services, participation in instructional activities (such as online quizzes or online discussions), searches of library and other databases, and other activities as described in the specific application.
Personal information and choice
You may choose whether to provide personal information online.
Personal information is information about a person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information includes such things as an individual’s name, address, and phone number. A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information.
We collect no personal information about you unless you voluntarily provide it to us by sending us email, participating in a survey, or completing an online form. You may choose not to contact us by email, participate in a survey or to provide any personal information using an online form. Your choice to not participate in these activities will not impair your ability to browse the SPSCC website and read or download most information provided on the site.
Choosing not to participate in these activities may impair your ability to use online student services, participate in surveys, and participate in online instructional activities. Online student services may be conducted using Touch-tone registration, mail, or telephone, as described in the section below on that specific service. Information about participating in surveys is available by contacting the office sponsoring the survey (identified on each individual survey), though some surveys will not be available offline. Information about participating in instructional activities off-line is available by contacting the instructor, though some instructional activities may not be available offline.
If personal information is requested on the website or volunteered by the user, state law and the federal Privacy Act of 1974 may protect it. However, this information is a public record once you provide it, and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by federal or state law.
If you believe that your personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, you may contact the student records officer shown in the Contact Information section of this policy.
The SPSCC website is a general audience site and we do not knowingly collect any personal information from children. Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information requested from or volunteered by children online or by email will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and may be subject to public access.
Public records access
The Public Records Act [RCW 42.56] was created in 1972 subsequent to the Federal Freedom of Information Act [5 U.S.C. 552] with the belief that the public should have access to information concerning the operation of government.
The State of Washington recognizes that “The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments that they have created.” [RCW 42.56.030]
More information on the legislation behind the Public Records Act, visit http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=42.56.
What is a Public Record?
A public record includes any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics. [RCW 42.56.010]
How do I file a Public Records Request?
Contact: Lynn Dignan, Human Resources, (360) 596-5360.
Nondisclosure of certain personal information
You may be required to provide certain personal information when you use the Web-enabled applications described below.
When using the applications, the following laws and regulations may prevent SPSCC from disclosing the personal information about you except for directory information. Only directory information can be released without student’s authorization. Students must sign a release in order to have any other information disclosed or to withhold all information. Education information may be released to other institutions that have requested the records and in which the student seeks or intends to enroll. Information may be released to a third party without student’s consent if an emergency situation exists or if information is requested officially by means of a subpoena, court order or legal report. Additionally, Congress requires student information to be released to military recruiters if officially requested. Directory information may include student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major fields of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, and other similar information.
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
Section 438, Public Law 90-247 Title IV, as amended, 88 Stat 571-574 (20 USC 1232g) otherwise known as the Buckley Amendment Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. - RCW 42.17.310 (a) exempts the following from public inspection and copying: (a) Personal information in any files maintained for students in public schools, patients or clients of public institutions or public health agencies, or welfare recipients.
Web-enabled applications
SPSCC may require you to provide certain personal information in order to complete the following Web-enabled transactions or to request or change information via any of the following Web-enabled applications. The information is required in order to verify your identify or account information. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it we will be unable to display the requested information or complete the requested transaction over the Web, and you will have to obtain the information or complete the transaction in person. Contact Enrollment Services at (360) 596-5241 for more information.
- Credit Card Payment - In addition to the previously identified laws and regulations, the following applies: RCW 42.17.310 (ss) exempts the following from public inspection and copying: (ss) Credit card numbers, debit card numbers, electronic check numbers, card expiration dates, or bank or other financial account numbers supplied to an agency for the purpose of electronic transfer of funds, except when disclosure is expressly required by law.
- Degree Audit
- Financial Aid Inquiry
- American Opportunity Credit (previously Hope and Lifetime Learning Tax Credit)
- Registration
- Registration Time
- Schedule Planner
- Student Address
- Change Student PIN
- Change Student Schedule
- Unofficial Transcript
Instructional activities
SPSCC may require you to provide certain personal information as part of instructional activities which occur online or over the Web. In such cases, the information is required as part of participation in the class. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it you will be unable to participate in those aspects of the class which occur on the Web. Contact your instructor or the Vice President for Instruction at (360) 596-5208.
Library, electronic resources, and instructional computing resources
SPSCC may require you to provide certain personal information in order to access and use certain resources in the library, and to use computers on campus. The information is required in order to conduct business of the library and college, such as tracking overdue materials or managing the efficient functioning of the workstation or network. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it we will be unable to provide certain library, computing, and information resource services to you.
In addition to the previously identified laws and regulations, the following apply:
RCW 42.17.310 (l) exempts the following from public inspection and copying: (l) Any library record, the primary purpose of which is to maintain control of library materials, or to gain access to information, which discloses or could be used to disclose the identity of a library user. For the purposes of this regulation, SPSCC’s workstation and network logs that collect and retain information concerning information resources accessed shall be considered library records.50 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.. Under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, (“FISA”), the FBI may obtain an exparte (without a formal hearing) court order allowing access to the records of library patrons.
Review and correction of personally identifiable information
You can review any personally identifiable information SPSCC collects about you by using the information in the Contact Information section at the end of this policy. You may recommend changes to your personally identifiable information you believe to be inaccurate by submitting a written request that credibly shows the inaccuracy. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections (RCW 43.105.310).
Student complaints
The Higher Education Act (HEA) prohibits an institution of higher education from engaging in a “substantial misrepresentation of the nature of its educational program, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates.” 20 U.S.C. §1094(c)(3)(A). Further, each State must have “a process to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning the institution including enforcing applicable State laws.” 34 C.F.R. § 600.9. The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) maintains a process to investigate complaints of this nature brought by community and technical college students in the State of Washington. For more information, contact the SBCTC Student Services Office at (360) 704-4315.
Cookies
To better serve our users, we may use “cookies” to customize your browsing experience on the SPSCC website. Cookies are simple text files stored on your computer by your Web browser.
Cookies created on your computer by using the SPSCC website may contain limited personally identifying information, and will not compromise your privacy or security. We may use the cookie feature to store session login information or limited personal information, such as your name.
Security
SPSCC, as developer and manager of the SPSCC website, has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access to information maintained by SPSCC. These measures are designed and intended to prevent corruption of data, block unknown or unauthorized access to our systems and information, and to provide reasonable protection of private information in our possession.
This information should not be construed in any way as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided via SPSCC’s websites.
Disclaimer
The SPSCC website has many links to other websites. These include links to websites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. When you link to another site, you are no longer on the SPSCC website and this Privacy Policy will not apply. When you link to another website, you are subject to the privacy policy of that site.
Neither the State of Washington, nor any agency, officer, or employee of the State of Washington warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at their own risk.
SPSCC reserves the right to revise and update this Privacy Policy at any time, linking to such revised Privacy Policy on the SPSCC home page.
Contact information
To review your personal information, or request correction of your personal information, contact:
Lynn Dignan, Human Resources
(360) 596-5360
ldignan@spscc.edu
Valerie Robertson, Dean of Enrollment Services
(360) 596-5240
vrobertson@spscc.edu
To offer comments about the SPSCC website or about the information presented in this Privacy Policy, contact:
Kelly Green, Vice President for Advancement
(360) 596-5214
kgreen@spscc.edu
Christopher Pinto, Web Content Manager
(360) 596-5362
cpinto@spscc.edu