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Web Privacy & Site Link Statement

Policy IT-S02

Web Privacy Policy

Sam Houston State University has created this privacy statement in order to demonstrate our firm commitment to privacy. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for this website: www.shsu.edu. This site contains links to other sites. Sam Houston State University is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites. is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites.

 

Personal Information we collect and process

We may use your IP address to help diagnose problems with our IT systems, and to administer our Web site. Our site uses forms for students, faculty, staff, and visitors to request information, products, and services. We collect contact information (like email addresses) and unique identifiers and other information necessary for university business such as university registration and/or sending information to prospective students.

 

Information We collect automatically

When you visit the SHSU website, our web servers and approved third-party analytics services automatically collect certain technical information to help us monitor website performance, improve user experience, enhance security, and better understand how visitors use our online services. Information collected automatically may include:

  • Your Internet Protocol (IP) address and domain name.
  • Browser type, device type, and operating system.
  • Pages visited, referring websites, navigation patterns, and time spent on pages.
  • Search terms used within the website.
  • General geographic information derived from IP address.
  • Date and time of visits and other standard web server log information.

Information collected automatically is used primarily for website administration, security monitoring, performance measurement, troubleshooting, and statistical reporting. Except as required by law or legitimate university business purposes, such information is not used to identify individual website visitors.

 

Cookie Management and User Consent

How We Manage Your Preferences

Sam Houston State University uses a Consent Management Platform (CMP) to provide visitors with control over the use of cookies and similar tracking technologies on SHSU websites. When you first visit shsu.edu, a cookie consent banner will provide options to accept, reject, or customize preferences for various categories of cookies, which may include:

  • Strictly Necessary Cookies
  • Performance and Analytics Cookies
  • Functional Cookies
  • Targeting and Advertising Cookies

Your choices will be stored and applied according to your selected preferences.

Integration with Google Services (Google Consent Mode)

The University's current CMP implementation is integrated with Google Consent Mode. When a visitor declines performance, analytics, or advertising cookies, Google Analytics and Google advertising technologies adjust their behavior based on the user's consent selections. In accordance with those selections, cookies may not be stored or accessed on the visitor's device, while limited aggregate and anonymized measurement capabilities may remain available to support website performance reporting and compliance requirements.

How to Change Your Settings

You may review or modify your cookie preferences at any time by:

  • Selecting the Cookie Settings link or widget available on SHSU websites.
  • Updating your preferences through the CookieScript consent management interface.
  • Clearing your browser cookies and cache, which will cause the cookie consent banner to reappear during a subsequent visit.

Disabling certain categories of cookies may impact the functionality, personalization, or performance of some website features.

If you send us an email with a question or comment that contains personally identifying information or fill out a form that sends us this information, we will only use the personally-identifiable information to respond to your request and analyze trends. We may redirect your message to another government agency or person who is in a better position to answer your question.

 

Non-personally identifiable information we collect and process

For site management, security, analytics, and statistical reporting purposes, SHSU and its approved service providers may collect non-personally identifiable information regarding website usage. Such information may include browser characteristics, device information, operating systems, referring websites, pages visited, time spent on pages, and similar technical information. Information collected for these purposes is generally aggregated and used to analyze website performance, improve user experience, maintain security, and support University operations. Information is not reported in a manner that ordinarily identifies individual visitors and will not be disclosed except as required by law, regulation, court order, or legitimate University business purposes.

 

Public Forums

This site makes chat rooms, forums, message boards, and/or news groups available to its users. Please remember that any information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public information and you should exercise caution when deciding to disclose your personal information.

 

Marketing Communications

Personal Information you submit through our sites, such as your name, email address, mailing address, and other contact information, may be collected and used by the University to:

  • Respond to inquiries and requests;
  • Provide information about University programs, services, events, and opportunities;
  • Complete transactions or services you have requested;
  • Support alumni engagement, fundraising, recruitment, development, and other University business purposes; and
  • Improve communications and customer service.

Individuals may opt out of receiving promotional or marketing communications from the University by using the "unsubscribe" link included in applicable email communications or by following the instructions provided in the communication. Transactional, operational, academic, or legally required communications may still be sent when necessary to fulfill University business, administrative functions, or legal obligations.

 

Mobile Messaging (SMS/Text)

Sam Houston State University offers SMS/text messaging programs to communicate with students, applicants, faculty, staff, and others who choose to participate. By providing your mobile phone number and opting in, you consent to receive text messages from Sam Houston State University related to the specific program for which you enrolled.

Consent and enrollment

Participation in any SHSU text messaging program is voluntary and requires your express opt-in. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of admission, enrollment, employment, or any purchase, product, or service. You provide consent separately for each messaging program; opting in to one program does not enroll you in others.

Types of messages

Depending on the program you join, messages may include appointment and event reminders, application and admissions updates, account or service notifications, deadline and registration reminders, and similar university communications. Message frequency varies by program and by your interactions with the University.

Mobile information is never shared or sold

No mobile information — including your mobile phone number and your opt-in consent — will be shared with, sold to, or rented to third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent are not shared with any third parties. The University may share mobile information only with service providers acting on its behalf to operate the messaging program (for example, the University's messaging platform provider), and only as necessary to deliver the messages you have requested or where required by law.

Opting out

You can cancel the SMS service at any time by texting STOP to the number from which you received messages. After you send STOP, the University will send a onetime confirmation that you have been unsubscribed, after which you will no longer receive messages from that program. To rejoin, opt in again through the original enrollment method.

Help

For assistance, text HELP to the number from which you received messages, or contact the SHSU IT Service Desk at servicedesk@shsu.edu.

Costs

Message and data rates may apply. Please consult your wireless carrier for details about your messaging and data plan.

Carrier liability

Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

 

Document Retention

Your personal information is kept for as long as it is needed to fulfill the particular purpose for which it was collected.

 

For Additional Information

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission also provides information for educating consumers and businesses about the importance of personal information privacy at http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/.

 

Contacting the Web Site

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this Web site, you can contact Division of Information Technology Sam Houston State University Box 2449 Huntsville, TX 77341 helpdesk@shsu.edu

 

CONTACTING the Web Site

If you have any questions regarding this privacy statement, website practices, or website content, please contact the Division of Integrated Marketing Communications at imc@shsu.edu.

 

Web Linking

Sam Houston State University complies with the State Web Site Link and Privacy Policy at https://dir.texas.gov/resource-library-item/state-website-linking-and-privacy-policy. SHSU encourages organizations that link to this Web site to comply with the provisions of the State Web Site Link and Privacy Policy, especially regarding protection of the privacy rights of individuals, and to make reasonable efforts to provide accessible sites.

 

Related Policies, References and Attachments

An index of approved IT policies, review dates, reference materials, legal compliance guidelines, policy enforcement and general definitions are available in the IT-00 Policy Compliance Document. The collection of Sam Houston State University Information Technology policies and procedures are available online through the Policies link from the SHSU.edu homepage.

 

Version 2.0

Updated: 07/09/2026