Privacy

Your Privacy is Important at USCB

This Privacy Statement governs the manner in which the University of South Carolina Beaufort collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a "User") of the uscb.edu website ("Site"). This privacy statement applies to the Site and all products and services offered by the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

Personal identification information

We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit the site, register on the site, subscribe to a newsletter, respond to a survey, fill out a form or in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on the Site. Users may visit the Site anonymously. However, as appropriate, Users may be asked for their name, email address, mailing address, and/or telephone number. The University collects personal identification information from Users only if and when they submit such information voluntarily. All Users, in their discretion, may refuse to volunteer personal identification information – although it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site-related activities.

Non-personal identification information

The University may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with the Site. Non-personal identification information may include browser name, type of computer and technical information about Users' means of connection to the Site, such as operating systems, internet service providers and similar information.

Web browser cookies

The Site may use "cookies" to enhance User experience. Users' Web browsers place cookies on their hard drives for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. Users may choose to set their Web browsers to refuse cookies or to alert them when cookies are sent. If so, please note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.

How we use collected information

The University of South Carolina Beaufort may collect and use Users' personal information for the following purposes:

  • To provide services to the University community and to serve University needs
  • To improve constituent services and support through more informed and more effective responses to constituent needs and requests
  • To personalize User experiences

We may use information in the aggregate to understand how Users as a group use the services and resources provided on the Site.

  • To improve the Site

We may use Users' feedback to improve products and services.

  • To run a promotion, contest, survey or other Site feature
  • To send Users information they agreed to receive on topics we thought to be of interest to them
  • To send periodic emails

We may use email addresses to respond to inquiries, questions and/or other requests. If Users decide to opt in to our mailing lists, they will receive emails, which may include University-related news, updates, product or service information, etc. If at any time, Users would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, the University includes detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.

How we protect your information

The University adopts appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of Users' personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on the Site.

Sharing your personal information

The University does not sell, trade or rent Users' personal identification. The University may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and Users with business partners, trusted affiliates and advertisers for the purposes outlined above. The University may use third-party service providers to help operate its business and the Site or to administer activities on its behalf, such as sending out newsletters or surveys. With Users’ permission, the University may share Users’ personal information with these third parties. Laws exist in the state of South Carolina to ensure government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information possessed by a government agency. At the same time, however, there are exceptions to the public's right to access certain records in order to protect against the unreasonable invasion of personal privacy of individuals. Such exceptions are authorized by both state and federal law. Information collected from Users of this site, similarly to information collected during in-person visits to a government office, may be subject to inspection and copying by the public, unless an exemption exists in law. In the event there is a conflict between this Privacy Statement and any state or federal law governing the disclosure of public records, the applicable law shall control. The Family Privacy Protection Act of 2002 prohibits persons or private entities from using personal information obtained from state agencies for commercial solicitation purposes. A person knowingly violating this prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties specified in S.C. Code Ann. Section 30-2-50(D).

Third party websites

Users may find advertising or other content on the Site that links to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors and other third parties. The University does not control the content or links that appear on these sites and is not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from this Site. Additionally, these sites or services, including their content and links, may change constantly. These sites and services may have their own privacy and constituent services policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which link to this Site, are subject to that website's own terms and policies.

Changes to this privacy statement

The University of South Carolina Beaufort has the discretion to update this privacy statement at any time. In that event, the last date of revision will appear at the bottom of this page. We encourage Users to check this page regularly to remain informed of the ways in which the University helps to protect personal information collected. Herein, Users acknowledge and agree that it is their responsibility to review this privacy statement periodically and to be aware of any modifications.

Your acceptance of these terms

By using this Site, Users signify their acceptance of this privacy statement and terms of service. Any User, who does not agree, should not use this Site.  Any User’s continued use of the Site, following the posting of any changes to this statement, will be deemed the User’s acceptance of those changes.

Contacting Us

Questions about this Privacy Statement, the practices of this Site or any dealings with this Site may be addressed to:

University of South Carolina Beaufort
Office of University Advancement
One University Boulevard
Bluffton, SC. 29909
(843) 208-8030

This document was last updated on July 11, 2021.