USU Text Messaging Privacy Notice

Overview

Utah State University’s Privacy Notice affirms our commitment to protecting the privacy of our university community and guests. This notice provides specific information about how USU’s text messaging service collects, uses, and protects your personal information.

Scope of Text Messaging

This notice outlines our practices for collecting and using information through the USU text messaging service (“we,” “us,” or “our”) and is intended to give you a clear overview of how we handle your personal information.

How We Collect Information and What Type of Information We Collect

We collect personal information in the following ways:

Direct Collection

When you provide information by responding to text messages. We directly collect the following personal information:

• Opt-out preferences
• Content of your text message responses to us

From USU Systems

When we import your contact information from other official USU systems or sources, such as Banner. The information includes:

• First and last name
• Phone number

Automated Collection

When platforms like Salesforce gather technical or interaction data as you use the text messaging service. We automatically collect the following personal information:

• Device status indicating whether a device is available for messaging
• Carrier (e.g. Verizon, AT&T, etc.)
• Country associated with the phone (we are not sending international text messages)
• Delivery status
• Error codes indicating why a message was not delivered (e.g. number associated with a landline, unreachable device, etc.)

Through Mobile Applications

When you use mobile apps published under the “Utah State University” name on platforms like the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. These apps—such as MyUSU (by Pathify), Canvas Student (by Instructure), and Utah State Athletics (by From Now On)—may request access to:

• Personal details (e.g., name, phone number, email)
• GPS/location data
• Contact lists
• Internet connection
• Calendar access
• External storage
• Notifications

Please note: Some of these apps are developed by third-party partners acting on USU’s behalf. In certain cases, information collected may be aggregated (i.e., combined with data from other users) to analyze app usage and improve functionality. Aggregated insights do not contain personally identifiable information.

How This Information Is Used

We use the personal information we collect to support your connection with Utah State University and to deliver services, updates, and opportunities related to your experience. This includes:

• Health and Safety: To support your well-being and that of the campus community.
• University Communications: To keep you informed about deadlines, academic milestones, and activities relevant to your status or affiliation with USU.
• Outreach and Engagement: To share university-related opportunities such as events, programs, promotions, alumni outreach, fundraising efforts, and other offerings that may be of interest to you.
• Recruitment and Admissions: To provide information to prospective students about academic programs and enrollment opportunities.

With Whom This Information Is Shared

We do not sell or rent your personal information. No mobile information will be shared with or sold to third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with or sold to any third parties.

We may, however, share your personal information in limited circumstances, such as with university partners or external service providers that support business activities. Specifically, we share your information with Salesforce, which provides the communications platform USU uses for text messaging services.

We require our service providers to keep your personal information secure, and do not allow them to use or share your personal information for any purpose other than providing services on our behalf.

We may also share your personal information when required by law, or when we believe sharing will help to protect the safety, property, or rights of the university, members of the university community, and university guests.

What Choices You Can Make About Your Information

If you wish to unsubscribe from text messages for a campaign, you can reply with words, such as ‘cancel’, ‘end’, ‘quit’, ‘unsubscribe’, ‘stop’, or ‘stop all’ and you will no longer receive messages.

If you wish to re-subscribe, reply with words, such as ‘start’, ‘yes’, or ‘unstop’.

Please note that unsubscribing from text messages from one campaign will not unsubscribe you from other campaigns. Unsubscribing will not remove your information from source USU systems.

If you wish to update your contact information, contact the Privacy Office at data.privacy@usu.edu.

How Information Is Secured

Utah State University recognizes the importance of maintaining the security of the information it collects and maintains, and we endeavor to protect information from unauthorized access and damage. Utah State University strives to ensure reasonable security measures are in place, including physical, administrative, and technical safeguards to protect your personal information.

Privacy Notice Changes

This privacy notice may be updated from time to time. We will post the date our notice was last updated at the top of this privacy notice.

Who to Contact With Questions or Concerns

If you have any concerns or questions about how your personal data is used, please contact the USU Privacy Office at privacy@usu.edu.