Gardner-Webb University is committed to respecting and safeguarding the legal privacy rights of our students, University personnel, and users of the University’s website at gardner-webb.edu (“Website”) with respect to the collection and use of any personal information.
Any legal rights are determined by reference to U.S. law. Please read the following information carefully to better understand what information we collect from you and how we use your personal information.
We collect personal information that will help us deliver or perform for you as a student, parent or guardian of a student, University personnel, alumni, or other user of the Website. The personal information we collect from you through the Website will vary, but some examples of the types of information we collect from you may include the following:
It is possible that we may collect this information from other platforms, including in written or e-mail communications, telephone transactions, admissions applications, loan and payment plan applications and related forms, third parties (such as employers or scholarship donors) or data-gathering software when you are completing information on the website.
Our website is not directed to persons under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly or intentionally collect personal information from anyone under 13 years of age. If you are under the age of 13, you should not be using our Website, and you are not permitted to provide us with any personal information.
We use your personal information to provide various University functions, services, and general administration, and to maintain and update the functionality and support of the Website. Below are some examples of how we may use personal information in administering University functions and services.
In the event of an emergency (which could include natural disasters, fire, shootings, severe weather, or major interruptions of campus operations), we may send notices to you (“Emergency Communications”) through each of the points of contact that you register through the Emergency Contact Registration and/or by reference to your contact information maintained in any other university database. These points of contact will include one or more of the following: (i) voice calls to your home, mobile or other telephone number, (ii) text messages (or similar communications) to your mobile phone, mobile device, or other personal device(s), (iii) e-mail messages, (iv) social media messages, or (v) any other points of contact information that you provide to us through the Emergency Contact Registration or by other means..
Once you register to receive Emergency Communications, you may also elect to receive additional notices sent to your points of contact regarding a variety of University services (“Optional University Services Communications”). These communications may include updates relating to inclement weather, closings, student activities, dining options/specials, sports information, and general announcements. We may add to or remove these options from time to time. You may opt in or out of these Optional University Services Communications, but you will continue to receive Emergency Communications.
We may use personal information you submit in connection with, including but not limited to human resources functions, fundraising, alumni relations, admissions, applications, loans, payment plans, or general administration of University operations and services. We also may use the information that you submit (including through the Emergency Contact Registration) to update our University records that contain personal information. This information is stored separately from the information stored in the Emergency Contact Registration data.
We may use your personal information to process online payment transactions, including credit card or debit card transactions.
We may share your personal information with authorized University personnel and authorized contractors who administer the services we provide—including but not limited to entities that we use to process credit card transactions, to support our website services, to store emergency contact information, or to provide services for which you have voluntarily enrolled. We may share your contact information with authorized entities with which we have an established business relationship, but, except as allowed by law, we will not share your social security number, financial information, or educational records with these entities.
We may disclose your personal information in order to comply with a law, regulation, or other governmental request, including complying with subpoenas, court orders, or other requests. We may also use or disclose personal information if we believe it is necessary to detect, prevent, or investigate fraud, intrusions into our network, the misuse of information, or to repair or resolve technical issues in the operation of the website.
We may collect other non-personal information such as user traffic and usage patterns on the Website, IP addresses, browser, platform, mobile device, and similar information regarding the use of our software and services. We also use “cookies” to collect information about the way users interact with our website, to support our online services, and to enhance the functionality of our site for individual users. You may set your browser to decline to reject cookies or to notify you when you do receive a cookie.
Mobile information will not be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. If you wish to be removed from receiving future communications from a sender, you can opt out by texting STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE.
You may add to, update, or delete your personal information collected through the Emergency Contact Registration. You may also change your preferences relating to Optional University Services. If you deactivate your account, however, the University may, in its discretion, continue to contact you regarding Emergency Notices as a matter of public safety.
Our website may display links to third party websites, platforms, or online services (including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, PayPal, SendWordNow, and others) (“Third Party Sites”). If you choose to use links, these third party websites or other online services may also collect and use your personal information according to their own privacy policies. You should always read the privacy policy of a third party’s website or online service to find out more about how personal information is collected, used, and processed. We are not responsible or liable for any loss or damages caused or alleged to have been caused by use of or reliance on any content, goods, functionality, or services available on such Third Party Sites. If you access a Third Party Site, you do so at your own risk and you agree that any of our terms and policies that may have protected you no longer apply. Any concerns that you may have regarding any Third Party Sites should be directed to its respective site administrator or webmaster.
We implement commercially reasonable physical, electronic security measures to protect against the loss, misuse, breach, or alteration of your personal information, including your personal financial information. Of course, no security measures can guarantee the safety of your personal information against all threats.
We will keep the personal information that you provide to us for the period necessary to provide our services as described above.
The Website does not respond to “Do Not Track” signals.
We may update or modify this Privacy Policy from time to time, and when we do, we will post the revised Privacy Policy on the website. We may also communicate material changes in this Privacy Policy to you by e-mail notification. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. Your continued use of the Website constitutes your agreement to the Privacy Policy, as modified or revised.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the type of personal information that we collect about you, or if you want to update or correct your personal information, please contact us by email at [email protected].
Effective June 20, 2015Updated September, 2024
Additional Information about student privacy rights may be found here.
