UMass Boston

Thank you for being part of our online community.

UMass Boston’s official website is designed to be a resource for all. We believe in being transparent about how we handle information collected through our university’s online presence. This notice is designed to be as clear as possible, but please reach out using the contact information below if you have any questions for us.

What This Notice Covers

This privacy notice applies to your interactions with our online presence. Specifically, it covers:

• Our public website
• Online forms on our website
• Web-based services we provide
• Your interactions with our digital content

What's Not Covered

While this notice covers most of your interactions with our website, it's important to understand what isn't covered. Some parts of our university have their own specific privacy policies. For example, when you access separate systems that require login credentials or visit third-party websites we link to, different privacy policies may apply.

This notice doesn't apply to:

• Separate privacy policies for specific departments or units
• Third-party websites we link to
• Social media platforms
• Systems requiring university login credentials

What Information We Collect Online

When you visit our website, we collect two main types of information: (1) information you choose to provide to us, and (2) information that's automatically collected as you browse our site.

1. Information You Provide Voluntarily. We only collect personal information when you choose to share it with us. This typically happens when you're requesting information or signing up for services. You might provide:
   
   
   • Your name and email address when filling out a contact form
   • Your interests when signing up for news and campus updates
   • Your questions or feedback when reaching out to us
     
     
2. Information Collected Automatically. As you browse our website, we automatically collect some technical information that helps us provide a better experience. This includes: 

• • Date, time, and duration of your visit
  • Browser type and operating system
  • Pages you visit on our site
  • Website that referred you to us
  • IP address
  • Device information (i.e., what type of computer or mobile device you are using)

Automatically collected information does not include your name, physical address, phone number, email address, or anything else that could be used to personally identify you.

How We Use Your Information

Everything we do with your information is focused on improving your digital experience and providing the services you request. Here's how we use the information we collect:

• Process and respond to your specific requests
• Personalize your experience based on your interests
• Send you the information you've subscribed to receive
• Analyze website performance and trends in how our website is used
• Monitor and improve our digital services
• Ensure the security and reliability of our website
• Comply with legal obligations

When you interact with our forms or request information, we'll only use your information for the purpose you intended.

Information Sharing

We are highly selective about sharing any information from website visitors and believe in keeping things simple and secure. Your information may be shared in these limited circumstances:

• Within the university to respond to your requests
• With trusted service providers who help operate our digital properties
• When required by law
• To protect against security threats

We want to make one thing absolutely clear: we do not sell your personal information. Period.

How We Use Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Like most modern websites, we use cookies to help provide you with the best possible experience. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit our website. They're an important part of making our website work efficiently and helping us understand how we can serve you better. Here's what you should know about these technologies:

Types of Cookies We Use:

• Essential cookies: Required for basic website functionality
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand site usage patterns
• Preference cookies: Remember your settings and choices
• Security cookies: Help protect our website and users

We primarily use Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager to collect anonymous usage data. This service helps us understand:

• Which pages are most popular
• How visitors navigate our site
• What types of devices access our website
• Where our visitors come from

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. While disabling cookies may affect some website features, you can still access most of our content.

Keeping Your Information Secure

Protecting your information is one of our top priorities. We use industry-standard security measures to protect the information you share with us through our website.

Our security approach includes:

• Secure, encrypted connections to protect data in transit
• Regular security monitoring and testing
• Limited access to personal information
• Secure data storage systems
• Regular security updates and maintenance

While no online system is 100% secure, we continuously work to maintain appropriate safeguards and update our security practices to better protect your information.

Children's Privacy

We care deeply about children's privacy and design our website primarily for adults. We do not knowingly, automatically collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe we might have inadvertently collected information about your child under 13, please contact us immediately. We'll take prompt steps to review the situation and delete any such information.

Changes to This Notice

Privacy practices and technologies evolve, and our privacy notice may need to change over time. When we make changes, we'll update the effective date and post the new version here on our website. For significant changes that affect how we use or share your information, we'll take additional steps to let you know:

• Posting a prominent notice on our website
• Sending an email if you've signed up for our communications
• Providing advance notice before changes take effect

We encourage you to review this notice periodically to stay informed about how we protect your privacy.

Contact Us

We're here to help answer any questions you have about our privacy practices. Your privacy matters to us, and we want you to feel comfortable reaching out with questions or concerns.

Get in touch with us by submitting the Website Request Form. Be sure to choose “Privacy” as the topic. Our website team aims to respond promptly to all inquiries. If you have a specific concern about how your personal information has been handled, please provide us with the details so we can look into it for you.

This notice was last updated on November 22, 2024.

This website is intended for general use and is viewable on the internet throughout the world. If you are visiting this website from the European Union (EU), personal information you provide to the university may now be subject to the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR replaces the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and was designed to strengthen data privacy protections for EU residents.

For more information visit https://www.massachusetts.edu/gdpr which provides information regarding the ways in which the University of Massachusetts Boston has addressed GDPR as a means to protects its students, employees and alumni that might be protected by GDPR.

This notice was last updated on November 22, 2024.

All trademarks, service marks and trade names (e.g., the UMass Boston name, the lighthouse, and B insignia) are owned, registered and/or licensed by the UMass Boston.

All text, images, logos, and information contained on the UMass Boston website may not be used or reproduced without permission.

It is the responsibility of all parties storing materials on web pages with umb.edu domain addresses to ensure that such material does not violate other parties' proprietary rights and does not otherwise violate the U.S. copyright act or university policy. UMass Boston reserves the right to delete material that is in violation of the copyright act or university policy.

This notice was last updated on November 22, 2024.

At UMass Boston, we understand the importance of timely communication in supporting our community. Our text messaging services are designed to keep students, alumni, parents, donors, faculty, staff, and retirees informed about important university updates and opportunities. Whether you are engaging with us as a student, supporting our mission, or staying connected as part of our extended community, this service complements our email communications to ensure you receive time-sensitive information when it matters most.

What You'll Receive

Our text messages may include:

• Timely reminders about application and/or academic deadlines and requirements
• Notifications about advisor appointments and academic support services
• Important updates about registration periods and class scheduling
• Time-sensitive financial aid information and deadlines
• Critical university announcements affecting your academic experience
• Invitations to university events, opportunities to support our mission, and ways to get involved.
• Resources and information to stay engaged with UMass Boston, whether as a student, alumni, parent, donor, faculty, staff member, or retiree.

You can expect to receive approximately 2-6 messages per month, with increased frequency during key academic periods such as registration or approaching deadlines. Messages will typically be sent during business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday).

Opting In

You may opt in to receive text messages from UMass Boston in several ways: through your application, online forms, in-person events, or during phone conversations with authorized university representatives. Verbal consent given during calls or in person will be documented to confirm your choice to receive texts. Additionally, some university emails and mailed materials may include an option for you to opt in by following a simple link or scanning a QR code. 

Emergency Information

In emergencies or urgent safety-related situations, messages may be sent outside regular business hours to ensure timely communication of critical information.

Please note that text messaging systems are not continuously monitored and should not be used to report emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 immediately. 

For urgent campus-related concerns, contact UMass Boston Public Safety at 617.287.7777.

Your Rights

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you maintain control over your communications preferences:

• This is a voluntary service—you can opt out at any time by replying “STOP” to any text message from the university.
• Consent to receive messages is not required to enroll at UMass Boston
• Standard message and data rates may apply
• We never request personal or financial information via text
• This service supplements official university email communications

This notice was last updated on November 22, 2024.