Privacy Statement

updated: August 27, 2024

Purpose

Passaic County Community College (PCCC) is committed to protecting the privacy and accuracy of your confidential information. PCCC has developed this privacy statement to educate users about the types of information collected, how that information may be used or shared, and to inform users about specific privacy policies and guidelines employed at PCCC.

Scope

This statement applies to the pccc.edu website, pccc.edu domain-hosted services, and any information systems, learning management systems, or communications platforms used by PCCC where you may provide personal information voluntarily, including through the completion of forms required for business or academic purposes. These applicable websites, applications, systems, and online services will be referred to as PCCC’s “Technology Services”.

Consent

By using PCCC’s Technology Services you signify your acceptance of the terms of this privacy statement.

By submitting a request for information form you give PCCC your informed consent to be contacted at the contact information provided and for the receipt of educational information via email, telephone, or SMS text messaging services.

Types of Information Collected

PCCC may collect information, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), that you knowingly and voluntarily provide when you use PCCC’s Technology Services. This information may be collected when completing applications and forms, including request for information or referral forms, sending emails, registering for classes or programs/events, or responding to surveys or questionnaires.

When you visit the PCCC website and online services, our servers may generate temporary log files that may contain the following personal information:

The pages, files, documents, and links that you access when visiting our website and domain.
Aggregate information collected by PCCC’s Internet analytics services.
Name, contact information, and other identifiers such as geolocation data.
The name of the domain and host from which you access our services.
The IP address from which you access our services.
The browser, operating system, and screen resolution used when you access our services.
The date and time you access our services.
The Internet address of the website (if any) from which you linked to our services.

We use unique identifiers called “Cookies” to collect anonymous non-personally identifiable information. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit a website. They serve various purposes, including remembering your preferences, enhancing your browsing experience, and helping us analyze website traffic. The cookies include information about your device, browser, geolocation, and IP address and are used to provide you with a more customized user experience and improve the design and functionality of our website and online services.

You may refuse to accept cookies by activating the appropriate setting on your device or browser. However, you may be unable to use certain features of the PCCC website dependent on your selection.

Use of Information Gathered

PCCC may use or share your information in personal or aggregate form to:

Provide and improve our Technology Services.
Provide support and personalize experiences.
Administer and improve admission and registration applications and financial services.
Market and promote our programs and other services or provide other information we think may interest you.
Secure and protect our services and systems and prevent misconduct.
Respond to subpoenas, court orders, or any other legal requirement from government and law enforcement.

PCCC may also share Personal Information with third parties such as service providers or vendors whom PCCC has engaged as School Officials who help with marketing, advertising, or promotion.

“School Officials” means employees of PCCC, including faculty and staff, as well as certain individuals such as vendors, contractors, or service providers, performing work for PCCC under proper authorization.

According to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Part V, § 14-15, we are permitted by law to disclose your account information or other personal data to non-affiliated entities under certain circumstances. These instances include:

Sharing information with service providers as necessary to facilitate the provision of requested products and services, process transactions, and maintain accounts.
Providing information to credit reporting agencies in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Disclosing information in connection with a proposed or actual sale, merger, transfer, or exchange of all or part of a business or operating unit.
Releasing information when legally obligated to comply with a properly authorized civil, criminal, or regulatory investigation, or upon receiving a subpoena or summons from Federal, State, or local authorities.
Sharing information when otherwise compelled to adhere to Federal, State, or local laws, regulations, and other applicable legal requirements.

In addition, in accordance with FERPA, no student records are released without consent of student.

PCCC uses SMS text messaging as one of several channels of communication. Communications with incoming and current students are directly related to student safety or student academic success that is considered critical and/or time sensitive.

One-on-one and scheduled SMS texting relays any of the following messages:

Emergency notifications
Campus closures
Student information, inclusive of admissions, academics, student accounts and financial aid
Important information and time-sensitive information, inclusive of deadlines and notices critical to student academic progress
One-on-one communication from PCCC staff regarding appointments and meetings that support the success and retention of the student

Receivers of text messages may opt-out from SMS texting from PCCC by replying to the text message with “STOP”.

External Third-Party Consent

PCCC websites and pccc.edu domain-hosted services may contain content that is served from external third parties or contain links that redirect users away from PCCC’s Technology Services. Please be aware that when you visit pages that contain external third-party content, information such as your IP address, date, browser, and referring page are transmitted from your computer to that third party. PCCC is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of these external third parties.

Please review the privacy policy of any third-party site you visit. By being aware of a site’s privacy policy, you will help to ensure the safety and privacy of your personal information.

Data Security

Although it is not possible to eliminate all security and privacy risks, PCCC has implemented extensive technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect personal information collected through PCCC’s Technology Services from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. In addition, access to personal information is restricted to authorized individuals who require it to perform their duties. Please note that while we work hard to protect the security of your information, PCCC cannot provide an absolute guarantee as to the security of any information you transmit through our websites or digital properties, and that you do so at your own risk.

Privacy Protection and Minors

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly disclose, collect, share, or use any information from or about children under 13 years of age.

Updates to Privacy Statement

PCCC reserve the right to update this Privacy Statement periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We encourage you to review this Statement regularly for any updates.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Statement or our data practices, please contact us by email at [email protected].