Last Approved Updates: August 3, 2004

Scope

North Carolina Central University, by and through its academic, research and administrative units and programs, owns, controls, operates and/or maintains Web sites under a number of domains (collectively, “NCCU Web”). This Web Privacy Notice applies to all domains within NCCU Web.

Purpose

As part of its commitment to maintain the privacy of users of NCCU Web sites, North Carolina Central University has developed this privacy notice. The notice has two purposes:

Rule on Sharing of Information

North Carolina Central University uses NCCU Web for business purposes and is committed to ensuring the privacy of personal information. Use of the University Web is subject to all applicable state and federal laws, as well as general University and campus policies. It is the University's usual practice not to share any personal information with those outside the University. However, when circumstances arise for the need to share information gathered from its NCCU Web servers, the University may share as:

Exceptions to Rule

NCCU Web consists of hundreds of University Web servers. Some servers hosted by North Carolina Central University may adopt different privacy notices as their specific needs require. If another University Web server or web site has a privacy notice that is different from this notice, then that notice must be approved by the campus Chief Information Officer or equivalent administrator responsible for that domain, and it must be posted on the site that has adopted the different notice. However, those sites cannot adopt a privacy notice that in any way supersedes federal or state laws or regulations or University or campus policies.

Online Surveys and Other Information Provided by the User

In the course of using NCCU Web sites, a user may choose to provide information to help North Carolina Central University serve that user's needs or conduct research. At any time there are numerous online surveys being conducted on NCCU Web sites. Person(s) responsible for conducting online surveys that collect personally-identifiable information should clearly state at the survey site the extent to which any information provided will be shared. Aggregate data from surveys may be shared with external third parties in ways that do not compromise privacy.

Public Forums

Units of North Carolina Central University may provide chat rooms, forums, message boards, and news groups for their users. Any information that is disclosed in these areas may become public information and a user should therefore exercise caution when deciding to disclose one's personal information in such places. Chat sessions and discussion forums may be logged.

E-Commerce

Sites within the North Carolina Central University may enable one to pay for products or services online with a credit card. These transactions are commercially secure and utilize a centralized process.

Rules for Individuals under Thirteen Years of Age

North Carolina Central University is committed to complying fully with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Accordingly, if a user of NCCU Web is under the age of thirteen, such user is not authorized to provide North Carolina Central University with personally identifying information, and the University will not use any such information in its database or other data collection activities. The University appreciates cooperation with this federally mandated requirement. Users under the age of thirteen and their parents or guardians are cautioned that the collection of personal information volunteered by unauthorized children online or by e-mail will be treated the same as information given by an adult until the University becomes aware that the user is under the age of thirteen and such information may be subject to public access.

Server Log Information the University Gathers

NCCU Web servers generate logs that may contain information about computers or devices used to access NCCU Web, or about general activity on NCCU Web, such as the following:

Many NCCU Web server administrators produce summary reports from these logs and share that information with NCCU Web content managers. University Web content managers typically use this information in aggregate to understand what pages are popular, how users are navigating to and within their site, and when their sites are used most frequently. The University strongly discourages the inclusion in server logs of information that could identify individuals. The above Rule on Sharing of Information and the Exceptions to Rule detail when such associations occur.

Cookies and Login Security

Cookies are small pieces of data stored by a Web browser on a user's computer. Cookies are often used to retain information about preferences and pages a user has visited. For example, when a user visits some sites on the Web, one might see a “Welcome Back” message. The first time one visited the site a cookie was probably stored on the user's computer; when the user returns, the cookie is read again. One can refuse to accept cookies, one can disable cookies, and one can remove cookies from one's hard drive.

Some sites may require the use of cookies in order to access the site, such as NCCU Web sites requiring authentication. NCCU Web servers may use cookies with Web sites that require North Carolina Central University community members, such as students, staff and faculty, to log in with their University provided ID (or username) and password. University community members are normally required to enter their respective ID and password when a member requests data about himself/herself or to ensure that the person is a member of the University community. These cookies may be used so one will not have to repeatedly enter user names and passwords when one goes to different parts of the University Web site. North Carolina Central University strongly encourages NCCU Web administrators to handle the login process through a secure connection, so the user name and password are encrypted between the University Web browser and NCCU Web server.

NCCU Web sites may use transactional cookies that facilitate business transactions and may not use permanent cookies or any other invasive tracking programs that monitor and track University Web site viewing habits unless:

LEGAL NOTICES OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Access to NCCU Web is provided subject to the following terms and conditions. Please read these terms carefully as use of NCCU Web constitutes acceptance of all of the following terms and conditions:

Disclaimer of Liability

Neither the North Carolina Central University, 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 in NCCU Web and assumes no responsibility for anyone's use of the information. In no event shall NCCU Web, the North Carolina Central University or its units, programs, employees, agents or individual trustees be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement or substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this system, even if advised of the possibility of such damage. This disclaimer of liability applies to any damages or injury, including but not limited to those caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, computer virus, communication line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, alteration of, or use of record, whether for breach of contract, tortious behavior, negligence or under any other cause of action.

Disclaimer of Warranties and Accuracy of Data

Although the data found using the North Carolina Central University's access systems have been produced and processed from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made regarding accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of the information. The North Carolina Central University provides this information on an “as is” basis. All warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, freedom from contamination by computer viruses and non-infringement of proprietary rights are disclaimed. Changes may be periodically made to the information herein; these changes may or may not be incorporated in any new version of the publication. If a user has obtained information from any of NCCU Web pages via a source other than North Carolina Central Universitypages, be aware that electronic data can be altered subsequent to original distribution. Data can also quickly become out of date. It is recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of any data associated with a file, and that the originator of the data or information be contacted with any questions regarding appropriate use.

Disclaimer of Endorsement

North Carolina Central University is a distributor of content sometimes supplied by third parties and users. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, users, or others, are those of the respective author(s) or distributor(s) and do not necessarily state or reflect those of North Carolina Central University and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the North Carolina Central University.

Disclaimer for External Links

NCCU Web has links to other Web sites. These may include links to Web sites operated by state and federal agencies and officials, other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. When a user leaves NCCU Web and visits another site, the user is subject to the privacy policy of that new site. North Carolina Central University is not responsible for the contents of any off-site pages referenced. The user specifically acknowledges that North Carolina Central University is not liable for the defamatory, negligent, inaccurate, offensive, or illegal conduct of other users, links, or third parties and that the risk of injury from the foregoing rests entirely with the user. Links from NCCU Web pages on the World Wide Web to other sites do not constitute an endorsement from North Carolina Central University. These links are provided as an information service only. It is the responsibility of the user to evaluate the content and usefulness of information obtained from other sites. NCCU Web contains links to other related World Wide Web sites and resources. Since North Carolina Central University and its Web site is not responsible for the availability of these outside resources or their contents, the user should direct any concerns regarding any external link to its site administrator or webmaster.

Disclaimer of Duty to Continue Provision of Data

Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, resources that are free and publicly available one day may require a fee or restricted access the next, and the location of items may change as menus, pages, and files are reorganized. The user expressly agrees that use of NCCU Web is at the user's sole risk. North Carolina Central University does not warrant that the service will be uninterrupted or error free. The documents and related graphics published on this Web or server could contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically added to the information herein. North Carolina Central University and/or its respective units and programs may make improvements and/or changes in the information and/or programs described herein at any time.

Security

The technology management teams of the University and its campuses have taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its communications and computing infrastructure, including but not limited to authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day practices of the entire University operating environment as part of its continuing commitment to risk management.

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 University supported Web sites.

Choice of Law

Construction of the disclaimers above and resolution of disputes thereof are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina. The laws of the State of North Carolina, U.S.A., shall apply to all uses of this data and this system. By use of this system and any data contained therein, the user agrees that use shall conform to all applicable laws and regulations and user shall not violate the rights of any third parties.