Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us.

Shippensburg University is committed to safeguarding both restricted and private data for every Shippensburg University constituent. Strong data protection builds trust with our multiple constituents (students, employees, parents/relatives of students, potential students, former students, alumni, donors, and financial sponsors). We strive to ensure that each Shippensburg University employee who has access to restricted and private data is trained on how to handle and protect it. Shippensburg University does not share our constituent’s data with third party marketing commercial companies or those that have no business relationship with Shippensburg University.

Data Privacy Notice

Shippensburg University needs to collect and retain certain types of data, in various formats, about relevant individuals (such as students, employees, parents/relatives of students, potential students, former students, donors, and financial sponsors) to fulfill the functions of an education provider. This policy outlines the purposes for which the information is collected and the college’s practices in processing this data.

Data Content

Shippensburg University may collect a wide variety of information about a student, such as names, addresses, contact details, age, gender, racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, photographic images, academic details, information relating to family, lifestyle and social circumstances, education and training details, employment details, financial details, physical or mental health information, or other information deemed relevant to the college.

Data Purposes

Shippensburg University may use a student’s information for a variety of legitimate educational interests, including the following:

• Maintaining student records
• Maintaining employment records
• Maintaining financial records
• Monitoring student academic progress
• Conducting institutional assessment and research
• Providing advice and support to students and employees through various campus services, such as financial services, health services, academic advising, academic support, counseling, and others
• Managing college residences and properties
• Conducting institutional co-curricular activities in support of the academic mission of the college
• Maintaining and publishing institutional directories
• Preparing reports for various entities, including accreditation and government agencies, in accordance with relevant regulations

Data Processing and Disclosures

Shippensburg University allows various school officials and organizations to access and process your personal information if they have a legitimate educational interest. Your information is only used when it is necessary to conduct tasks in relation to services or benefits you have requested from the college or to conduct the practical day-to-day administration of the college. This list represents the types of school officials who may have access to your data:

• A person employed by the college as an administrator, faculty, or staff member
• A student employed by the college to assist an administrator, faculty, or staff member in fulfillment of his/her professional duties
• A person employed by, or under contract to, the college to perform a special task, such as an attorney or an auditor
• A person or organization acting as an official agent of the college and performing a business function or service on behalf of the college
• A member of a college committee (may include student members)
• A person serving on the college Board of Trustees
• Relevant government and accreditation agencies to whom the college has a statutory obligation to release information
• Relevant individuals and authorities in the case of an immediate health or safety emergency
• Students only: Officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll
• Students only: A student’s parents, if the student is a dependent as defined by the IRS code (provided that proper documentation is on file at the college to establish dependency) or if the student has signed a release form to authorize disclosure of information to parents

All processing, storage, and disclosure of data is handled in accordance with the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (“FERPA”) for student record data, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) for health data, and any other applicable privacy laws.

Student’s Rights

Students have the right to inspect and review their education records. Students may seek amendment if they believe their education records are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy rights. Education records will not be disclosed without the student’s consent, except under the authorized disclosures specified in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. If a student believes that their privacy rights have been violated, they have a right to file a complaint of non-compliance with the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education.

Procedure for Inspecting Education Records

A student has the right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of their request. Shippensburg University will provide a response to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of the record. If a student is unable to inspect their education records, Shippensburg University shall make other arrangements for the student to inspect, including making a copy of the education records. Shippensburg University will not charge a fee to search for or retrieve a student’s education records, but may charge a fee to copy the records.

The Procedure for Requesting Amendment of Records

A student may ask Shippensburg University to amend their education record if he or she believes the records contain inaccurate information, misleading information, or is in violation of their right to privacy.  Shippensburg University will either: 1) amend the record within a reasonable amount of time, or 2) notify the student of its decision not to change the record and inform the student of their right to a hearing to challenge that decision.  

Marketing Communication Activities

Various departmental offices (such as the Advancement Office and the Marketing & Communication Office) may use your details to send you news and information about academic and alumni activities. Departments may also offer opportunities for you to be involved with the college and support its work. You can tailor your marketing communications preferences or opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by contacting Shippensburg University at (717) 477-7447 with your request.

Third-Parties

We use the following third-party services which handle data in their own ways and have their own privacy policies.