Our Privacy Statement

Registration for Updates

In order to better assist our online users, this web site includes an optional online registration form. During registration, a user is required to give contact information in order to become an active member. Minimal information includes first name, last name and email address. We use this information to contact the user about services on our site for which the user has expressed interest. It is optional for the user to provide demographic information (address, telephone, fax, etc.), but it is encouraged so that we may provide a more personalized experience on our site.

Information Use

Information derived from the online registration is used only for requested services from users such as newsletters, updates, mailings, and information requests. User may modify their options at any time as well as delete accounts and all information tied to same.

Cookies

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user's computer that is tied to information about the user. By setting a cookie on our site, users would not have to log in a password more than once, thereby saving time while on our site. Using a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information while on our site. We use persistent cookies only to log users into our web site.

Cookies from this web site expire immediately when users log out or in seven days if users choose to keep the account open. To remove cookies form your browser, please see the help section of your specific browser software.

Log Files

Like most standard web site servers, we use log files. This includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, etc. IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information.

Communications from the Site

We send all new members a welcoming email to verify name and email information. Established members will receive information only regarding those subjects for which they have specifically enlisted. Users are not members of or do not receive any updates from our site without a specific request for such information.

If a user wishes to subscribe to our periodic email news updates, we ask for minimal contact information (name and email address).

Service Announcements

On rare occasions, it is necessary to send out a strictly service-related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance, we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt out Of these communications, though they can deactivate their account. These communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service/Contact

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services in regard to issues relating to their account. We reply via email or phone, in accordance with users' wishes. Customer contact requests are archived in order to ensure quality of service and take note of recurrent questions or problems. This allows us to tailor our site to further help our users in the future.

Sharing

Legal Disclaimer

Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on our web site.

Opt-Out/Delete Account

Users who no longer wish to receive our news updates or web site update communications may opt out of receiving these communications by modifying their user accounts online. A link is provided in each mailing with the required login information and deletion information. Account holders can make changes or delete accounts at any time by visiting our web site and logging into their account to make the necessary change.

Links

This web site contains links to other sites. We encourage our users to be aware of when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects personally identifiable information. This Privacy Statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Tell a Friend

If a user elects to use our news item referral service for informing a friend about our site or a specific news article, we ask the user for the friend's name and email address. We will automatically send the friend a one-time email inviting him or her to visit the site.

Security

This web site takes every precaution to protect our users' information. When users submit sensitive information via the web site, their information is protected both on- and off-line.

All of our users' information is restricted in our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific task are granted access to personally identifiable information. Furthermore, ALL employees are kept up-to-date on our security and privacy practices. Finally, the servers that store personally identifiable information are in a secure environment in a locked facility. If usurers have any questions about the security at our website, users can contact us today.

Correcting, Updating or Deleting Personal Information

If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as zip code, telephone, email or postal address), or if a user no longer desires our service, we provide a way to correct, update, or delete users' personally identifiable information. This can be done at the member's account page.

Contact Information

If users have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us using one of the following methods:

Email:	engineeringoutreach@niu.edu
Telephone:	Direct: 815-753-6902 or Toll Free: 800-656-5317
Fax:	815-753-4203
Web Site url:	Contact Form