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Office of General Counsel

Collection and use of personal information at UFV

What is personal information?

Personal information is recorded information about an identifiable individual, including but not limited to the following:

  • birthdate
  • address
  • grades
  • student/employee number

Personal information may be collected from students and used to provide education, administer UFV activities, and provide student and employee services.

Additional uses of personal information may require the authorized consent of the individual(s) concerned. 

 

What does privacy mean?

Privacy is the right of an individual to control his or her own personal information. The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FIPPA) Act serves the following purposes in regard to your privacy:

  • Making public bodies more accountable
  • Protecting personal information by right of access
  • Preventing unauthorized collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information

 

How UFV collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information

As a public organization, UFV is required to protect your privacy by law, and must comply with the provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA Act).

UFV collects personal information that relates directly to and is necessary for an operating program or activity of the university, fulfilling its mandate under the University Act. The personal information the university collects may only be used for the stated purpose which it was collected, or a consistent purpose. Consent is typically required where the information may be used for a different purpose. Employees should access and use only the personal information necessary for their roles, responsibilities, and the task at hand. 

What information do UFV's web servers collect?

Visitors to the UFV website should be aware that our web servers automatically collect information that is essential to operating and maintaining the site's security. Information collected includes:

  • Browser type
  • Internet service provider (ISP) name
  • IP address

The extent of information collected by UFV's web servers depends on the standards followed by your internet service provider (ISP). You may wish to contact your ISP to determine their policies and practices in this regard.

UFV's website contains links to third-party sites; UFV is not responsible for the privacy provisions of other websites.

Some portions of the UFV website may distribute small pieces of information (called "cookies") to web browsers to assist you when you return to specific areas on the site. If you have concerns about cookies, you can change your web browser settings so as not to accept this information, or to display warning messages before doing so.

When you voluntarily send email to UFV or complete an electronic form that includes identifying information about you, UFV will keep a record of this information so that we can respond to you.