Privacy Policy
The Reiss Davis Graduate School (RDGS) respects student privacy rights and has adopted clear guidelines for all departments requiring information submitted will only be used for the purposes for which the student consented. RDGS will never sell, rent, loan, trade, or lease personal information to any third party and is committed to protecting the privacy and security of student information.
This policy explains RDGS website information practices and the choices the student can make about the way RDGS collects and uses personal information. This Privacy Policy also covers the RDGS websites (including reissdavis.edu, reissdavis.populiweb.com, and office.com). With the exception of those previously listed, RDGS Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites that may be accessible through RDGS websites. RDGS encourages each student to read the privacy policies of those third parties to learn how they collect and use information. Additionally, this Privacy Policy does not apply to information submitted to the institution through other means (such as in person at an office, through paper application, via email, etc.)
Collection and use your personal information
RDGS collects and uses student personal information to respond to individual requests for information and services. Unless RDGS has individual student consent, personal information submitted online will only be used or shared for purposes related to individual student requests.
Information You Provide
RDGS collects personal information when the student:
Optional Information
When accessing RDGS websites, the institution may give the student the ability to submit optional information, such as gender, attendance dates, and how about the student heard about RDGS. Optional fields are noted as such. Optional information is requested to help RDGS better understand its clients, customers, and web visitors. If the student has requested that we send additional information regarding RDGS services and events, RDGS may also use the optional information to fulfill this request.
Technical Information
When visitors use the RDGS website it may collect technical information that does not by itself identify a specific individual. This information (sometimes referred to as "non-personally identifiable information") may include which pages visitors viewed on the website, which browser was used to view the website and terms used to search the website. This technical data is aggregated to provide an overview of the browsing patterns of large groups of unidentified visitors and is used to measure and improve the effectiveness of the RDGS website. RDGS does not combine this technical data with the personal information collected on the website.
This policy explains RDGS website information practices and the choices the student can make about the way RDGS collects and uses personal information. This Privacy Policy also covers the RDGS websites (including reissdavis.edu, reissdavis.populiweb.com, and office.com). With the exception of those previously listed, RDGS Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites that may be accessible through RDGS websites. RDGS encourages each student to read the privacy policies of those third parties to learn how they collect and use information. Additionally, this Privacy Policy does not apply to information submitted to the institution through other means (such as in person at an office, through paper application, via email, etc.)
Collection and use your personal information
RDGS collects and uses student personal information to respond to individual requests for information and services. Unless RDGS has individual student consent, personal information submitted online will only be used or shared for purposes related to individual student requests.
Information You Provide
RDGS collects personal information when the student:
- Requests information about RDGS from the “Contact Us” page on our website. This information provide is utilized to provide program information to the student via mail, phone, and email. Personal information is used to answer individual questions and to contact the student regarding interest in the programs. It is not shared with outside parties.
- Registers for events (such as Open Houses or Dissertation Complete Seminars) using online registration. Information such as name, email address, phone number, and physical address may be requested. If the student pays for event registration online, RDGS may also collect a valid credit card number, expiration date and billing address, which will used for the purpose of the single transaction only. RDGS may share this information with banks and other entities in the financial system that process credit card transactions, however, it will only be used to fulfill the individual request.
- Pays for tuition and fees through the Reiss-Davis Populi website. Information such as name, email address, phone number, and physical address may be requested. When paying online, RDGS will also collect a valid credit card number, expiration date and billing address. RDGS may share this information with banks and other entities in the financial system that process credit card transactions, however, it will only be used to fulfill the individual request.
- Registers for an RDGS email through Office 365. When a student registers to attend RDGS their information including, first and last name, will be used to create reissdavis.edu email through Microsoft Office 365. RDGS only uses Microsoft Office 365 as an email host and therefore provides them with student information needed to set up an email account. Microsoft is obligated to keep information provided to them confidential and to use the customer information to provide email and online services only. Visit Microsoft’s Privacy Policy to learn more about how student information is protected.
- Registers for a user account in order to access Populi for academic or financial purposes. As of the date this is written, students are registered automatically for a Populi account (using name and the student’s reissdavis.edu email address). In order to access the site, a student must share their name and email. Other information such as phone number, address, birthday, etc. can be added to the Populi Profile. Students can share as much or as little of this personal information as they would like. This online community is provided by Populi, an online enrollment management system. Populi is obligated to keep information provided to them confidential and to use the customer information to provide online management services only. Populi stores information for backup purposes only. Populi does not access, view, or edit student/customer information. Visit Populi’s Privacy Policy to learn more about how student information is protected.
- Uses the Populi system to access education records with the student user login. Besides a user login, no further personal information is required to access the student’s personal educational records (including grades, assignments, dissertation forms, etc.). These educational records are confidential and only shared with administration that exhibit a legitimate educational interest as required by The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For more information on how educational records are used at RDGS, please refer to RDGS’s FERPA notification.
Optional Information
When accessing RDGS websites, the institution may give the student the ability to submit optional information, such as gender, attendance dates, and how about the student heard about RDGS. Optional fields are noted as such. Optional information is requested to help RDGS better understand its clients, customers, and web visitors. If the student has requested that we send additional information regarding RDGS services and events, RDGS may also use the optional information to fulfill this request.
Technical Information
When visitors use the RDGS website it may collect technical information that does not by itself identify a specific individual. This information (sometimes referred to as "non-personally identifiable information") may include which pages visitors viewed on the website, which browser was used to view the website and terms used to search the website. This technical data is aggregated to provide an overview of the browsing patterns of large groups of unidentified visitors and is used to measure and improve the effectiveness of the RDGS website. RDGS does not combine this technical data with the personal information collected on the website.
Use of Cookies and Spyware
Cookies
A “cookie” is a small amount of data that a website may send to the personal browser and that the browser may then store on personal computers and send back to the website on subsequent visits. RDGS only uses cookies to keep students signed into RDGS sites. RDGS DOES NOT, however, use cookies to track the navigational habits of identified visitors. RDGS never ties any personal information the student provides with the navigational information gathered using cookies. Furthermore, RDGS does NOT allow advertisers to set cookies via RDGS websites.
Most browsers automatically accept cookies, but the student can usually refuse cookies, or selectively accept cookies, by adjusting the preferences in the browser. Turning off cookies will compromise site functionality and RDGS’s ability to provide web based services.
Spyware
RDGS does NOT use spyware in any form.
Tracking Online Activity
When a visitor first views a page on the RDGS website, that request is logged on the servers with information including the IP Address of the computer that requested the page. RDGS uses this data in an effort to constantly improve the value of materials on the website. From time to time, RDGS may break down overall usage statistics according to multiple users' domain names, browser types, or IP Addresses by reading information from the “user agent” string (information sent to websites by every user’s browser). RDGS does NOT, however, track the navigational habits of identified visitors. RDGS never ties any personal information provided by the student with navigational information.
Sharing and Use of Personal Information
RDGS utilizes personal information to fulfill individual student requests. For example, to respond to questions, to provide information about programs, to process registration for events, or to allow purchases through the website. RDGS will not use information for purposes unrelated to the student request.
RDGS does NOT sell, rent, loan, trade or lease personal information such as membership data, application information, or email lists to any third party. RDGS treats all information provided as confidential. Occasionally, RDGS may contract with other companies to provide services on our behalf such as processing event registration, but these companies are required to keep information confidential and to use it only to fulfill student requests.
From time to time, RDGS may be required to provide personal information in response to a valid court order, subpoena, government investigation, or as otherwise required by law. RDGS reserves the right to report to law enforcement agencies any activities that RDGS, in good faith, believe to be unlawful. RDGS may release certain personal information when it believes that such release is reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property, and safety of others and the institution.
A “cookie” is a small amount of data that a website may send to the personal browser and that the browser may then store on personal computers and send back to the website on subsequent visits. RDGS only uses cookies to keep students signed into RDGS sites. RDGS DOES NOT, however, use cookies to track the navigational habits of identified visitors. RDGS never ties any personal information the student provides with the navigational information gathered using cookies. Furthermore, RDGS does NOT allow advertisers to set cookies via RDGS websites.
Most browsers automatically accept cookies, but the student can usually refuse cookies, or selectively accept cookies, by adjusting the preferences in the browser. Turning off cookies will compromise site functionality and RDGS’s ability to provide web based services.
Spyware
RDGS does NOT use spyware in any form.
Tracking Online Activity
When a visitor first views a page on the RDGS website, that request is logged on the servers with information including the IP Address of the computer that requested the page. RDGS uses this data in an effort to constantly improve the value of materials on the website. From time to time, RDGS may break down overall usage statistics according to multiple users' domain names, browser types, or IP Addresses by reading information from the “user agent” string (information sent to websites by every user’s browser). RDGS does NOT, however, track the navigational habits of identified visitors. RDGS never ties any personal information provided by the student with navigational information.
Sharing and Use of Personal Information
RDGS utilizes personal information to fulfill individual student requests. For example, to respond to questions, to provide information about programs, to process registration for events, or to allow purchases through the website. RDGS will not use information for purposes unrelated to the student request.
RDGS does NOT sell, rent, loan, trade or lease personal information such as membership data, application information, or email lists to any third party. RDGS treats all information provided as confidential. Occasionally, RDGS may contract with other companies to provide services on our behalf such as processing event registration, but these companies are required to keep information confidential and to use it only to fulfill student requests.
From time to time, RDGS may be required to provide personal information in response to a valid court order, subpoena, government investigation, or as otherwise required by law. RDGS reserves the right to report to law enforcement agencies any activities that RDGS, in good faith, believe to be unlawful. RDGS may release certain personal information when it believes that such release is reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property, and safety of others and the institution.
Securing Personal Information
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
RDGS protects education records as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, better known as the Buckley Amendment or FERPA. FERPA helps protect the privacy of student education records and affords each student the right to inspect and review his or her education records, the right to seek to amend those records, and the right to limit disclosure of information from those records. The institution is the custodian of that record.
Any student alleging failure of the university to comply with FERPA may file a complaint with the Student Privacy Policy Office U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-4605.
Additional information regarding FERPA can be found in the School Catalog/Student Handbook.
Information Security
RDGS uses a variety of safeguards to protect sensitive information from loss, misuse, alteration, or destruction. For example, sensitive information is kept confidential. RDGS also only provides access to personal information to RDGS employees and other authorized parties on a “need to know” basis.
For the purposes of this policy, sensitive information is defined to be the combination of name, home address, birth date, and any additional information. Social security number, credit card number, and driver’s license number are always considered to be sensitive information, regardless of the other information submitted. For the purposes of this policy, name and reaissdavis.org email address in combination are not considered to be sensitive.
Choice Regarding How Information is Used
RDGS will not use or share the personal information collected on the website in ways unrelated to the purpose for which you provided the information without first obtaining individual student consent (opt-in).
If RDGS collects information and the student is not presented with a choice, it indicates that the information the student submitted will only be used for purposes related to the specific request. If the student does opt in to marketing or communications from RDGS, student can opt out at any time. If student wishes to opt out of receiving communications from RDGS, contact RDGS at [email protected] and provide full name, phone number, and a description of the communications you wish to opt out from. RDGS may need to contact the student for further information to process the request. Once the request has been received, RDGS will use every reasonable means to ensure that the student does not receive the communications student has asked to opt out from in the future (excluding any mailings in process before the request was received).
Policy Changes
If there are changes or additions to this Privacy Policy, RDGS will post those changes here so that student will always know what information is collected online, how it is used, and what choices the students have about this information.
Revised 2020.12.29
Additional Concerns
For additional questions or comments, please contact:
Simran Khalsa
Director of Library and Information Services
RDGS protects education records as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, better known as the Buckley Amendment or FERPA. FERPA helps protect the privacy of student education records and affords each student the right to inspect and review his or her education records, the right to seek to amend those records, and the right to limit disclosure of information from those records. The institution is the custodian of that record.
Any student alleging failure of the university to comply with FERPA may file a complaint with the Student Privacy Policy Office U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-4605.
Additional information regarding FERPA can be found in the School Catalog/Student Handbook.
Information Security
RDGS uses a variety of safeguards to protect sensitive information from loss, misuse, alteration, or destruction. For example, sensitive information is kept confidential. RDGS also only provides access to personal information to RDGS employees and other authorized parties on a “need to know” basis.
For the purposes of this policy, sensitive information is defined to be the combination of name, home address, birth date, and any additional information. Social security number, credit card number, and driver’s license number are always considered to be sensitive information, regardless of the other information submitted. For the purposes of this policy, name and reaissdavis.org email address in combination are not considered to be sensitive.
Choice Regarding How Information is Used
RDGS will not use or share the personal information collected on the website in ways unrelated to the purpose for which you provided the information without first obtaining individual student consent (opt-in).
If RDGS collects information and the student is not presented with a choice, it indicates that the information the student submitted will only be used for purposes related to the specific request. If the student does opt in to marketing or communications from RDGS, student can opt out at any time. If student wishes to opt out of receiving communications from RDGS, contact RDGS at [email protected] and provide full name, phone number, and a description of the communications you wish to opt out from. RDGS may need to contact the student for further information to process the request. Once the request has been received, RDGS will use every reasonable means to ensure that the student does not receive the communications student has asked to opt out from in the future (excluding any mailings in process before the request was received).
Policy Changes
If there are changes or additions to this Privacy Policy, RDGS will post those changes here so that student will always know what information is collected online, how it is used, and what choices the students have about this information.
Revised 2020.12.29
Additional Concerns
For additional questions or comments, please contact:
Simran Khalsa
Director of Library and Information Services
