WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY

Website Privacy Policy

Effective Date: July 29, 2026

Overview

Wilberforce University ("University," "we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors who use our website. This Website Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information obtained through the University’s website and related online services.

This policy applies only to information collected through the University’s public website. It does not govern student education records protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), employment records, or information collected through third-party systems that maintain their own privacy policies.

By using this website, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with our website, we may collect information including:

Information You Provide
You may voluntarily provide personal information when you:

Submit an admissions inquiry
Request information
Complete a Contact Us form
Subscribe to newsletters or email communications
Submit employment applications
Make an online donation
Schedule a campus visit
Communicate with the University through website forms

Information collected may include:

Name
Email address
Telephone number
Mailing address
Academic interests
Employment information
Any information you voluntarily provide within forms or messages

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the website, certain technical information may be collected automatically through standard web server logs, including:

IP address
Browser type
Operating system
Device type
Date and time of access
Pages visited
Referring website
Session information

This information helps maintain website security, diagnose technical issues, and improve website functionality.

Cookies

Wilberforce University uses essential cookies necessary for the operation and security of the website.

Essential cookies help:

Maintain website functionality
Improve security
Support accessibility features
Remember basic website preferences during your browsing session

The University does not use advertising cookies or behavioral advertising technologies on its public website.

Most web browsers allow users to manage or disable cookies. Disabling essential cookies may affect certain website features.

How We Use Information

Information collected through the website may be used to:

Respond to inquiries
Provide requested information
Process admissions inquiries
Communicate with prospective students
Support alumni engagement
Process employment inquiries
Improve website performance
Maintain website security
Comply with legal obligations
Protect University systems and users

We use personal information only for legitimate educational, administrative, operational, or legal purposes.

Third-Party Services

Certain University services are provided through trusted third-party platforms. These services maintain their own privacy policies and security practices.

Current third-party services include:

Slate

Admissions applications and campus visit registrations may redirect users to Slate, a third-party enrollment management platform. Information submitted through Slate is governed by Slate’s own privacy practices.

Salesforce

Online donations and certain payment transactions are processed through Salesforce and associated payment services. Wilberforce University does not collect or store payment card information entered through these third-party payment systems.

Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of these providers before submitting personal information.

Information Sharing

The University does not sell personal information collected through this website.

Information may be shared only:

With authorized University personnel
With service providers performing services on behalf of the University
When required by law
To protect the rights, safety, or security of the University or others
During legal proceedings or governmental requests
As otherwise authorized by the individual

Service providers are expected to use information only for authorized purposes and to maintain appropriate security safeguards.

Data Security

Wilberforce University maintains administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

Although reasonable security measures are employed, no method of electronic transmission or internet storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Data Retention

Personal information is retained only for as long as necessary to:

Fulfill the purposes described in this Policy
Meet legal obligations
Support University operations
Resolve disputes
Enforce applicable agreements

Retention periods vary depending on the nature of the information and applicable legal requirements.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your state of residence, you may have certain privacy rights under applicable U.S. privacy laws, including the right to:

Request access to personal information
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of eligible personal information
Request information regarding the University’s data practices
Appeal certain privacy-related decisions where applicable

The availability of these rights depends upon applicable law and may be subject to legal exceptions. Privacy requests may be submitted using the contact information below.

Children’s Privacy

The University’s public website is intended for individuals seeking information about Wilberforce University and is not directed toward children under the age of 13.

The University does not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 except as permitted by applicable law.

Links to Other Websites

The University’s website may contain links to external websites operated by third parties. Wilberforce University is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of external websites.

Users should review the privacy policies of any third-party websites they visit.

FERPA Notice

Student education records maintained by Wilberforce University are governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and applicable University policies.
This Website Privacy Policy does not replace or modify the University’s FERPA obligations.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

The University may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or University practices.
The Effective Date at the top of this policy indicates when the most recent revision became effective. Continued use of the website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Information

Questions or requests regarding this Website Privacy Policy may be directed to:

Lena Arnold
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Office of Institutional Advancement
Wilberforce University
1055 N. Bickett Road, P.O. Box 1001
Wilberforce, Ohio 45384
larnold@wilberforce.edu