Online and Digital Privacy Policy

I. Policy Statement

The University of Puget Sound (“Puget Sound” or the “university”) is committed to appropriately managing and safeguarding users’ data and privacy. This Online Privacy Policy describes how the university collects, uses, and shares personal information through its websites, applications, and other digital services in support of its mission. While the university maintains broader policies and practices governing data across the institution, this policy applies specifically to information collected through online systems and services. The university will not sell your information to third-party organizations. By using the pugetsound.edu website or submitting information through or otherwise utilizing university online services, you consent to our collection, use, and disclosure of that information as described in this Online Privacy Policy.

II. Coverage

This policy applies to all users of our University Websites, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, prospective students, visitors, and third parties unless otherwise noted.

Any use of University Websites or submitting information to the university represents the user’s consent to the university’s collection, use, and disclosure of information as described in this Online Privacy Policy.

III. Definitions

Personal Information: Any information that identifies or can be used to identify an individual, such as name, email address, mailing address, or phone number.
Cookies: Small data files placed on your device that track, save, and store information about your interactions and usage of the website.
Third-Party Services: External providers engaged by the University to support online services, which may collect or process personal information under their own privacy terms.
Tracking Technologies: Tools such as web beacons, pixels, and digital fingerprints used to monitor and improve website functionality and engagement.
University Websites: All official web pages and online services operated by the University of Puget Sound.

IV. Collection of Information

When you visit University Websites, the university may automatically collect:

The Internet Protocol (IP) address and the name of the Internet domain you used to access the Internet;
The URL of the website from which you linked directly to the Puget Sound website;
The date and time you accessed the site;
The pages you visited, including the information requested through your browser, the response from the server, the size of the page delivered, and the marketing email or web page that referred you; and/or
The web browser and operating system you used.

University Websites may also use Tracking Technologies, Cookies and other similar technologies to collect information about how you interact with the site. Cookies may be used to personalize your experience, remember site preferences, and enable certain features.

University Websites may also request that you provide certain Personal Information such as your name, username, email address, mailing address, telephone number, or social network account information when interacting with our services or communications.

V. Use of Information

Puget Sound may use information collected (“collected information”) from your visit to University Websites to:

Improve website functionality, presentation, and utilization;
Personalize web content and remember user preferences;
Assist with advertising, marketing, and communications;
Manage subscriptions, event invitations, and other engagement opportunities;
Fulfill online requests for goods or services;
Conduct online research, education, training, or surveys;
Troubleshoot issues and protect institutional information;
Exercise the university’s legal rights, defend against claims, or respond to legal processes; and/or
Otherwise support the university’s mission and operations in ways that are consistent with the context in which the information was collected and any applicable laws and university policies.

The university will provide supplemental notice or consent for the collection and use of personal information for any purpose not described in this policy.

VI. Disclosure or Sharing of Information

The university may use third-party service providers to facilitate use of University Websites. These providers may have access to collected information to fulfill their contractual obligations.

VII. Children or Minors

University Websites are not directed at children under the age of 13 and the university does not knowingly collect children's personal information as defined by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, without the consent of their parent or guardian.

VIII. Retention

The university retains data for the minimum period required by law, applicable university records retention schedules, or for the duration of your relationship with the university, whichever applicable period is longer.

IX. Additional Rights

Depending on the type of information involved and the laws that govern it, you may have additional privacy rights. These rights may include the right to access, review, correct, amend, delete, or obtain a copy of certain personal information, or to withdraw consent for certain processing activities, as provided by FERPA and, where applicable, GDPR or similar privacy frameworks.

X. Email and Text Message Communications

If you wish to unsubscribe from university electronic mailing lists, click the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any marketing email.

The university may use application-to-person (“A2P”) promotional and transactional text messages as part of its operations. To stop receiving such text messages, reply STOP, QUIT, CANCEL, OPT-OUT, or UNSUBSCRIBE to any A2P mobile message from us. Please note that certain messages, including emergency or public safety notifications, may be sent without an opt-out option in order to protect the health and safety of the university community. For more information, see our Mobile Messaging Terms and Conditions.

XI. Questions

If you have questions about the collection or use of your Personal Information, please contact the university unit to which you provided your information. For privacy-related concerns not addressed through that unit, contact:

Technology Services
Email: servicedesk@pugetsound.edu
Phone: 253-879-8585

XII. Effective Date

This policy is effective as of June 3, 2026.

XIII. Related Statutes, Regulations, and Policies

Policy Owner: Technology Services
Policy Contact: Technology Services, servicedesk@pugetsound.edu, 253-879-8585
Date Adopted: June 3, 2026
Date Last Reviewed: June 3, 2026
Date Last Revised: June 3, 2026