This statement pertains exclusively to the collection of personal information on official University webpages. The official University website uses the domain name "semo.edu" and is controlled, operated, and maintained by University personnel in connection with University business. However, all uses of University computing resources are subject to the Information Technology and Network Systems Acceptable Use Policy and Procedures. 

Collection of Personal Information 

Generally, the University does not automatically collect the identity of individual users or visitors to official University webpages. If you are asked to provide personal information on an official University website, University policy provides that you should be notified of the following: 

• The purpose for which the personal information is collected 
• Any specific consequences for refusing to provide the information 
• Your right to inspect, amend, or correct personal records, if any 
• Whether the personal information is generally available for public inspection 
• Whether the personal information is made available or transferred to or shared with any entity 

Unless otherwise notified by the collecting office, information provided to the University may be shared among offices within the University and outside entities as necessary or appropriate in the conduct of legitimate University business and consistent with applicable law. Because the University is a state educational institution, such information may also be subject to disclosure under the Missouri Sunshine Law. Individuals may inspect and/or correct their personal information as provided by the Public Records Act or applicable University policy. The University is also subject to the disclosure requirements of the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.  

Moreover, personal information you disclose to others via message boards, chat rooms and social media may be collected and used by others who are not under the control of the University. 

The University collects information that is available from server logs about user Internet connections and visits to University webpages. The University may use this information to analyze trends, create summary statistics for the purpose of determining technical design specifications, and identify system performance or problem areas. 

An example of information collected by servers include Internet Protocol (IP) addresses - a number that is assigned to your computer when you log on and that is automatically identified when a computer connects to a server. An IP address identifies the computer, not the computer user. University servers may log and track an IP address upon log-in and as the user moves from webpage to webpage within University webpages. The University does not normally link IP addresses to personally identifiable information, so that the identity of users remains anonymous to the University but not, for example, the time users log on, log off and how long they visit any one site. The University uses IP addresses to identify a user when necessary to enforce compliance with law or university policies, for purposes of system administration, and to ascertain demographics and visitor usability. 

Some University web pages may utilize "cookies" to better serve you with more tailored information when you return to our site. Cookies are identifiers that a website can send to user browsers to keep on file in order to facilitate future visits to that site. Some University web pages may use cookies to provide users with more tailored information when they return to those web pages. Users can set their browsers to receive notification when a website sends them a cookie, so users may accept or reject it. Note that some parts of a University web page that offers cookies may not function properly or may be considerably slower when users reject cookies. 

Data Security 

The University will take appropriate steps to protect the information you share with us from unauthorized access or disclosure. The University strives to implement security measures that protect the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under our control. 

Not all transmissions to and from official University webpages are secure: the website may not encrypt or decrypt data sent to or from the website. In addition, emails you send to a University address may be subject to interception. If your communication includes personal information that you do not wish to provide electronically, contact the University by postal mail or telephone. 

Linking to Other Sites 

Some official University webpages link to websites that are outside the "semo.edu" domain and are controlled and operated by third parties. The University is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such third party websites. 

Changes to Privacy Statement 

Advances in technology, legal developments, and new University policies and practices may necessitate the need to change or update this privacy statement from time to time. We reserve the right to change this policy without notice. It is the responsibility of the user to check this page for any changes to this policy.