Privacy Statement
Central Ohio Technical College (“COTC” or “the college”) is committed to safeguarding personal information for every member of the college community. This Privacy Statement has been adopted to address the collection, use, and dissemination of personal information by the college in accordance with applicable privacy laws, other college policies, and supplements any other privacy notices provided to you. By using this website, you are consenting to our collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Statement.
General Statement
This statement applies to all information digitally collected by or submitted to the college. The college receives information via three primary methods:
- Automatically via websites.
- Voluntarily provided by the user in order to receive information and/or services (via forms and email).
- Contact information purchased through a third-party vendor.
Consistent with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA), COTC websites and services are not directed to children under 13 years of age, and the college does not knowingly collect any personal information from those under 13 years of age. Younger visitors should check with parents or guardians before entering information on any website, and we encourage households to discuss the online sharing of personal information.
Information Collection
Automatic Collection
Official college websites and/or third-party technology may collect certain information automatically. This information includes but is not limited to:
- User’s Internet Protocol (IP) address
- Browser and operating system
- The time and date of the visit
- The site from which the user visited
- Cookie information (if applicable)
Voluntary submission
In order to provide information and/or services, the college may request users to provide personal data, some of which may be personally identifiable information. Information such as but not limited to name, date of birth, email address, etc. can be collected via voluntary submission of an email or web form to a college entity.
COTC will only collect personal information which you knowingly and voluntarily provide by, for example, sending emails, completing membership forms, registering for classes, events, or other programs, responding to surveys or ordering merchandise. If you provide us with personal information, we will normally respond to your inquiry, request or order. We may also contact you to provide information about college activities, programs, membership and development opportunities and special events that may interest you.
COTC will only share information about you to other parties when one or more of the following conditions apply:
- We have your consent to share the information.
- We need to share your information to provide the service or product you requested.
- We need to send your information to companies who work on behalf of COTC to provide a service or product to you.
- We need to respond to subpoenas, court orders, or any other legal process.
- We find it necessary to protect and defend the legal rights and/or property of COTC.
Student directory information may be released without the student’s written consent. For more information on directory information, view COTC’s Privacy and Release of Student Education Records Policy.
Retaining personal information
If we have collected your personal information from our services, we store it in a variety of college records. COTC adheres to The Ohio State University’s retention schedule, which lists and describes the types of records we keep, including the record’s purpose and information content. Additionally, retention schedules provide guidance for how long records should be kept, based upon a review of the administrative, fiscal, legal, and historical values of the information within the records. Learn more about retention schedules.
Cookies, Data Processing, and Disclosures
Website information that is gathered automatically is utilized to improve the understanding of how college-provided websites are being leveraged. For example, some college websites use third-party analytics to determine how users navigate college sites. These analytic sites along with college websites may use cookie data for various purposes, including the evaluation of website use, reports on website activity, and other services. Users have the right to refuse the use of cookies by implementing technical configurations in their web browsers; however, functionalities of certain sites may be impacted if such configurations are implemented.
Information submitted to the college voluntarily in order to receive services and/or information will only be utilized to conduct official college business. The college may disseminate voluntarily submitted information to third-parties and offices/departments within the college to the extent necessary in order to provide the requested services and/or information. The college may also disseminate such information if required by applicable law, law-enforcement agencies or in response to a subpoena, court order, or legal processes including public record requests.
The college will not disclose any information submitted voluntarily for reasons other than mentioned above, without clear notice and the opportunity to opt-out or otherwise prohibit such uses. The college does not sell voluntarily submitted information to other entities unless prior consent has been obtained.
All processing, storage, and disclosure of data is handled in accordance with the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (“FERPA”) for student record data. The college may keep certain personal data indefinitely for historical, research, statistical purposes, or as long as necessary to comply with applicable laws and obligations.
Marketing Communication Activities
College offices/departments may use your information to send you news and information about academic and alumni activities along with opportunities for you to be involved with the college. Information may also be used in advertisement targeting and outreach for recruitment and enrollment purposes.
Social Media, Social/ Ad Retargeting & Pixels
The college’s online and mobile communications may contain links and pixels directed to other websites and social media platforms. Some links and pixels may retarget to college-sponsored content. Other links and pixels may redirect to websites or platforms such as Facebook, X formerly known as Twitter), or Pinterest, etc. The college is not responsible for the privacy practices, policies, or content of any of these websites or platforms. This Privacy Statement does not apply to any outside websites or platforms. The college has no control over the collection or use of Information, including personal information, on any external websites or platforms.
Information Security
The college is committed to keeping your personal information safe. COTC works to implement security measures wherever possible to promote the confidentiality and integrity of any information shared with the college. In partnership with The Ohio State University, the college has dedicated teams who work to secure college data and investigate reports of unauthorized or inappropriate access to personal information. To support these efforts, COTC adheres to the Information Security Policy and Responsible Use of Computing and Network Resources Policy.
Issued: 10/18/2023