51在线

Privacy Statement

Online/Internet Privacy Statement

This Privacy Statement discloses the privacy practices for www.usf.edu, the main website, our website and our website, collectively referred to in this policy as 鈥淯SF Websites鈥�.  Please note that USF Health and our Direct Support Organizations have separate privacy policies. By using USF websites, you are acknowledging our collection and use of information gathered about you in accordance with this Privacy Statement. 

What information do we gather about you?

We and our third-party vendors collect information regarding your use of USF websites.  Your session and the pages you visit on USF Websites are tracked, but you will remain anonymous. We collect the following data:

• Internet domain and Internet address of the computer you are using,
• Identification of the page or service you are requesting,
• Browser type and operating system you are using,
• Date and time you accessed our site,
• Internet address of the website from which you linked directly to USF Websites, and
• Cookie information used to direct and tailor information based on your entry path to our site.

We may use your IP address to identify the general geographic area from which you are accessing USF Websites.   We connect data from different systems but do not link IP addresses to any personal information.

What do we use your information for?

We use the information we gather from you for systems administration, abuse prevention, to track user trends, and for the other purposes described in this policy. If you send us an email, the email address you provide may be used to send you information, respond to inquiries, and/or other requests or questions. We will not share, sell, rent, swap, or authorize any third party to use your email address for commercial purposes without your permission. 

Your user information may be shared with third-party vendors to the extent necessary to provide and improve web services or other communications to users. For example, we use third parties such as Google Analytics to generate reports on site usage, web traffic, user behavior, and user interests in order to optimize our website for our visitors. We also use geographic, demographic, and interest-based reports of our website visitors to create custom audience lists. We prohibit any third parties who receive user information for this purpose from using or sharing user information for any purpose other than providing services for the benefit of our users.

We may also provide your information to third parties in circumstances where we believe that doing so is necessary or appropriate to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request; detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security, or technical issues; or protect our rights and safety and the rights and safety of our users or others.

How is this information collected and how can you opt out?

Google and other third parties may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect or receive information from USF Websites and elsewhere on the internet and use that information to provide measurement services and target ads. Third-party tools like Google Analytics help website administrators track site usage, understand how users find sites, and improve website function and content. For more information on Google Analytics, consult their terms of use, privacy practices, and ads settings. You can opt out of the collection and use of this information through tools like the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small files placed on your computer to collect standard Internet log information and visitor behavior information. When you visit USF websites, we may collect information from you automatically through cookies or similar technology. For more information about cookies, visit allaboutcookies.org.

How do we use cookies?

We use cookies in a range of ways to improve your experience on USF Websites.  We use cookies to understand and save your preferences for future visits and compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction so that we can offer better site experiences and tools in the future.

What types of cookies do we use?

There are a number of different types of cookies, however, USF Websites use:

• Functionality Cookies 鈥� We use these cookies in order to recognize you on our website and remember your previously selected preferences. These could include what language you prefer and location you are in. A mix of first-party and third-party cookies are used.
• Advertising Cookies 鈥� We use these cookies to collect information about your visit to a USF Website, the content you viewed, the links you followed and information about your browser, device, and your IP address. Our Company sometimes shares some limited aspects of this data with third parties for advertising purposes. We may also share online data collected through cookies with our advertising partners. This means that when you visit another website, you may be shown advertising based on your browsing patterns on our website.

How to manage your cookies

You may disable cookies through your individual browser options or you can opt out of the collection and use of this information through tools like the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page. However, in a few cases, some of our website features may not function as a result.

Other websites and cookies

USF Websites may contain links to other websites.  We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such websites.

Cookies may be set by parties other than us. These 鈥渢hird-party cookies鈥� may, for example, originate from websites such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, or other social media services for which USF Websites have implemented 鈥減lug-ins.鈥� Since the cookie policies of these sites change over time, you should determine their policies by visiting the privacy statement pages of these sites directly.

Information Protection

USF Websites have reasonable security measures in place to help protect against loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under our control.  However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure.

Users Located in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland

If you are located in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway (the 鈥淓uropean Economic Area鈥�), the United Kingdom, or Switzerland please click here about ways certain USF campuses, centers, units, and direct support organizations, including this website, may collect, use, and share information about you.

State and Federal Laws Affecting the Release of Your Data

We are committed to ensuring the privacy and accuracy of your confidential information. We do not actively share personal information gathered from our Web servers. However, because USF is a public institution, some information collected from USF Websites, such as information from our server logs, e-mails delivered to the university, and information collected from Web-based forms, may be subject to release under 51在线 Public Records law. For more information on how USF complies with 51在线 Public Records law consult USF System Policy 0-106.

We also comply with several Federal laws affecting the release of your data.  For example, we comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which prohibits the release of students鈥� education records except in limited circumstances.  For more information on how USF complies with FERPA consult USF Regulation 2.0021.  While FERPA regulations only apply to student education records, certain provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protect the data privacy of all visitors to USF websites. 

Liability Disclaimer

The information contained in this Privacy Statement explains the Internet privacy policy and practices that the 51在线 has adopted for USF Websites. In legal terms, this notice shall not be construed as a contractual promise, and USF reserves the right to amend it at any time without notice. Neither USF nor any of its units, programs, employees, agents, or individual trustees shall be held liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information described and/or contained on USF websites and assumes no responsibility for anyone's use of the information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice

Privacy policies for USF Websites may change from time to time.  Any such changes will be posted on this page.

Effective Date

The effective date of this policy is March 9, 2021.