Our privacy practices and policies

The University of Akron values and respects individuals' right to privacy. 

The primary vehicle for privacy protections on The University of Akron campus is via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and University Rule 3359-11-08 on Policies and Procedure for Student Records. Other records on campus may be protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and University Rule 3359-11-19 on Policies and Procedures for Release, Privacy, and Security of Selected Health Information, and still other records may be protected by the security portions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and two University Rules on Customer Information Security and on Information Technology Security & System Integrity. More information and the corresponding University Rules can be found at the links below.

• FERPA
• Health Information
• Privacy statement for web and digital marketing activities

There are also additional University Rules that address privacy issues. 

• University Rule 3359-11-10.3 Information Technology Security & System Integrity Policy
• University Rule 3359-11-10.4 Customer Information Security Policy
• University Rule 3359-11-10.6 regarding social security number collection, maintenance and use. It is University policy to reduce, where necessary, the use of and reliance on social security numbers for identification purposes and to discontinue use of the social security number as a common identifier and a primary key to databases.

Only administrators designated by the University may collect, retain and use social security numbers. Administrators managing social security numbers of employees are appointed by the division of finance and administration; and administrators using social security numbers of students are appointed by the division of student affairs.

Location data

Many devices, including cellphones can determine their precise location. UA Mobile app users can opt into providing location data to the University while they are using UA Mobile. If users opt into providing location data the University will use this information to provide the user with tailored notifications regarding their location on the University’s campus. Location data is only shared with select third party service providers. The University of Akron is not responsible for the privacy practices of these external third parties.