SMS Privacy Notice

The University of Texas at Tyler

The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide when participating in university text messaging (SMS/MMS) programs.

This Privacy Notice explains how information is collected, used, and protected when you receive text messages from UT Tyler.

Information We Collect

When you voluntarily provide your mobile phone number to UT Tyler or opt in to receive text messages, UT Tyler may collect and maintain:

• • Mobile telephone number
  • Name
  • University affiliation (such as applicant, student, employee, alumnus, patient, donor, or constituent)
  • Communication preferences
  • Records of consent to receive text messages
  • Message delivery and interaction information

We collect only the information necessary to provide the requested communication service and support university operations.

How Information Is Used

UT Tyler may use information collected through text messaging programs to:

• • Deliver requested information and university services
  • Communicate regarding admissions, enrollment, registration, financial aid, advising, academic milestones, student success initiatives, campus events, appointments, healthcare services, and other university-related matters
  • Respond to requests for assistance
  • Improve the effectiveness of university communications
  • Comply with legal, regulatory, and operational requirements

Information Sharing

UT Tyler does not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise share mobile phone numbers, SMS consent records, or personal information collected through SMS programs with third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.

SMS consent and mobile phone numbers collected for SMS communications will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional use.

Information may be disclosed:

• • When required by federal or state law
  • In response to valid legal requests, court orders, or subpoenas
  • To authorized service providers acting on behalf of UT Tyler to facilitate university communications
  • As otherwise permitted by applicable University of Texas System and UT Tyler policies

Any authorized service provider must protect the information and use it only for approved university purposes.

Data Security

UT Tyler employs administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

No method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure; however, UT Tyler takes reasonable measures to protect information entrusted to the university.

Student Information

UT Tyler protects student education records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and applicable university policies.

Students should avoid transmitting sensitive personal information through text messaging whenever possible.

Opting Out

Recipients may opt out of receiving non-emergency text messages at any time by replying:
STOP
to a message received from a UT Tyler text messaging program. Users may also contact the originating university office for assistance with communication preferences.

Contacting UT Tyler:

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this Web site, you can contact:

UT Tyler Web Team
The University of Texas at Tyler
Marketing and Communications
USC 135
3410 Varsity Drive
Tyler, TX 75799
web@uttyler.edu