Privacy Policy

GW-CEEE is committed to respecting users of GW-CEEE’s websites. For that purpose, this policy has been adopted to address the collection and use of information from GW-CEEE’s websites. In order to maintain effective privacy practices, GW-CEEE retains the right to update this policy without notice.

Information Gathering

GW-CEEE collects two types of information from users: (1) Information provided by the user in order to receive requested information and/or services, and (2) Information passively collected upon a user’s visit to GW-CEEE’s websites.

Passively Collected Information

When a user visits one of GW-CEEE’s websites, some information such as the visitor’s Internet protocol (IP) address, Internet service provider, operating system, the site from which the visitor arrived, and the time and date of the user’s visit may be collected automatically as part of the software operation of the website. This intake of information is not personally identifiable. GW-CEEE uses this information solely for internal purposes, such as, to see what pages are most frequently visited, in order to improve the site. Additionally, GW-CEEE is currently using Google Analytics, a web metrics service, to collect certain information automatically upon a user’s visit. For more information regarding Google Analytics, see Google's privacy policy.

Information Provided by the User

Users may provide GW-CEEE with non-personally and personally identifiable information in order to utilize certain services and retrieve information. Such instances may not be noticeable to the user and include, but are not limited to: filling out surveys, purchasing goods and services, submitting tests, registering for courses, and submitting certain online forms.

Should the user choose to provide GW-CEEE with any personal information, GW-CEEE will use such information only to conduct official business and will disclose it only when such disclosure may be appropriate to comply with applicable law, to enforce GW’s Visitor Agreement, or to protect the rights, property or the safety of visitors to GW-CEEE’s websites, The George Washington University community or the public. GW-CEEE does not sell, trade, or rent users’ personal information to others.

GW-CEEE maintains information collection procedures that comply with The Child Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998. If you believe that GW-CEEE has collected personally identifiable information about your child, please contact The George Washington University immediately at comply@gwu.edu so that if such information has been collected, GW may take appropriate action.

Distribution of Collected Information

In certain instances, in order to provide information and services, or as required by law, GW-CEEE may disseminate non-personally and personally identifiable information to third parties and officials/departments within GW-CEEE. In these instances, the information provided to the third-party or GW-CEEE entity shall be limited to the extent necessary required to provide the user-requested information and/or services, or as required by applicable law enforcement agencies.

Cookies

GW-CEEE’s websites make use of “cookies,” which are small text files placed on the user’s computer to keep track of information about the user’s browsing on this site. The utilization of cookies allows GW-CEEE to enhance a user’s experience by allowing GW-CEEE to create tailored web applications. A user’s decision to set his or her web browser to accept or disable cookies is a personal choice. However, some of GW-CEEE’s websites may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

Third Party Websites and Content

GW-CEEE’s websites may contain links to other websites owned by third parties as a convenience to the user. If a user decides to use these links, he or she will leave the GW-CEEE website. GW-CEEE is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such websites, and does not make any representations or endorsements about them. If a user decides to leave the website and access any third party site, it will be at the user’s own risk, and users should be aware that GW-CEEE’s policies will no longer govern. Users should review the applicable terms and policies, including privacy and data gathering practices, of any site to which the user navigates away from GW-CEEE’s websites.

The User’s Personal Account

Any user that chooses to use GW-CEEE’s websites is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of his or her account and password, if any, and for restricting access to his or her computer, and agrees to accept responsibility for all activities that occur under his or her account or password. The user agrees that any billing and registration information provided on the websites will be accurate and complete.

Security

GW-CEEE implements stringent security measures to promote the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of any information in the possession (or control) of GW-CEEE. GW-CEEE utilizes Secure-Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technology for instances where GW-CEEE websites request or provide personal information of the user. The SSL technology’s purpose is to protect users’ information from being viewed by an outside third-party.

Some features on this website may enable credit card transactions in order for users to purchase a variety of goods and services. Credit card transactions are completely voluntary. GW-CEEE’s security measures comply with PCI Data Security Standards (DSS). Additionally, GW-CEEE exports the processing of online transactions to PCI DSS certified institutions to further promote effective security.

While the security of users’ personal information is of the utmost importance to GW-CEEE, GW-CEEE cannot guarantee the security of any information the user chooses to disclose online. Any information the user chooses to disclose to GW-CEEE is done at his or her own risk.

Policies

Below are a number of pertinent policies and procedures implemented by The George Washington University related to this policy:

• The George Washington University Privacy Policy Statement
• Data Classification Security Policy
• GW Web Content Policy
• Security Breaches Involving Confidential Personal Information
• Information Security Policy
• Health Information Privacy Policy
• Privacy of Student Records Policy
• Social Security Number and GWid Usage Policy

Additional University policies may be found at www.policy.gwu.edu.