Web Privacy Policy

The following domains constitute all College websites to which this privacy policy and disclosure notice applies: 

VictoriaCollege.edu 
MyVC.VictoriaCollege.edu 
ConferenceInVictoria.org 
WelderCenter.org 
MuseumOfTheCoastalBend.org
VictoriaCollegeFoundation.com 
VictoriaCollegeFoundation.org

As described herein, the College does not, as a practice, share information collected from its websites outside of necessary employees or agents who assist the College in maintaining, analyzing, and executing the purposes of its sites consistent with the mission and goals of the College. Agents may include secure third-party server hosting companies that are subject to their own privacy policies and procedures. Further information regarding third-party privacy policies and procedures can be obtained by contacting the College’s Public Information Officer at (361) 582-2417.

Information posted on College websites that is accessible to members of the public is presumed to be public, subject to specific exceptions in the Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552, Texas Government Code). Users are advised that the College may be legally obligated, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), to produce non-excepted information collected, such as summary server log information, certain email content sent and received via email links on its sites, and information collected from site-based forms. Information regarding the College’s release of records pursuant to the PIA is provided on the College’s website at www.VictoriaCollege.edu/PublicInformation.

In the case of information collected from students via College websites, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) governs the release of student information classified as “education records.” Subject to various exceptions, FERPA generally prohibits the release of student information (both current and former students) to third parties absent the student’s permission. Detailed information regarding the College’s release of records pursuant to FERPA is provided in its policy at www.VictoriaCollege.edu/FERPA.

Subject to certain exceptions, the PIA affords users the right to be informed of the information the College collects about them. Users have a right to request copies of documents reflecting that information, and, where the information is incorrect, request that the College correct it. Requests for documents and corrections may be submitted through the College’s Public Information Officer as described at www.VictoriaCollege.edu/PublicInformation.

Similarly, current and former students may also request corrections to their educational records, including web-based information classified as educational records, as provided by the College’s FERPA policy www.VictoriaCollege.edu/FERPA.

Outside entities may link to College websites without advance permission. However, correct uniform resource locator (URL), or “web addresses,” must be utilized. Furthermore, College ownership of the sites and content must be accurately described. College web pages may not be captured within the frame of an outside entity’s website without first obtaining permission from the College. In the case of College website links with high-memory usage that may create burdens on the College’s server when accessed, entities are advised to contact the College Public Information Officer and request permission to instead post copies on the entity’s website of the information sought to be linked. 

College websites will only link to outside, third-party websites that further the goals and mission of the College. Before any links are created, the College will conduct a review regarding the safety of site access and the usefulness of the link to the College’s goals and mission. However, links to third-party websites should not be construed as an adoption or endorsement, by the College, of the linked content, viewpoint, accuracy, products, or services that may be offered therein. Furthermore, the College is not responsible for a third party’s web content found at these links and makes no representations, guarantees, or warranties regarding that content.

When users access College websites, the following information is collected: 

Server Logs: The College’s server(s) gather server log information, including the Internet Protocol (IP) address of devices accessing the webpage, the College web pages (URL) accessed, and date and time of access. Server logs are maintained by the College’s server hosting company and are used for the collection of usage statistics, as well as diagnostic and trouble-shooting purposes. In addition, the College’s main website, VictoriaCollege.edu, uses a content management system that collects the same server log information.

Website Analysis: The College and its agents utilize the Google Analytics Platform for the College’s main website, VictoriaCollege.edu. Through Google Analytics, the College and its agents may gather demographic data, IP address information, referrer information, click-through rates, traffic sessions, page views, and metric information in order to enhance and further the effectiveness and performance of the site.

Online Forms: The College utilizes various web-based forms, which collect personal data entered by users. This information is collected by third-party hosting companies that perform an institutional service for which the College would otherwise use employees if possible. The information is protected by privacy policies of the respective third-party hosting companies and is otherwise covered by the College’s FERPA and PIA policies. 

Use of Tracking Pixels: VictoriaCollege.edu collects information through the use of tracking pixels that appear on College web pages. A tracking pixel is a transparent graphic image that is placed on a web page and, in combination with a cookie, allows the College to collect information regarding the use of the web page that contains the tracking pixel.  A tracking pixel allows the College to track activities based on pages visited. Tracking pixels redeliver advertising and notifications through third-party vendors. No personally identifiable information is collected through these retargeting services, and the College does not sell or rent the information collected through tracking pixels. Information collected through tracking pixels can only be shared with third parties in aggregated form and in accordance with the College's Web Privacy Policy, available at VictoriaCollege.edu/WebPrivacyPolicy.

The College has an active presence on social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. Students, employees, and members of the public who utilize the College’s accounts on these third-party platforms are advised that user interaction is governed by the privacy policies of the platforms. As such, the College has no control over those social media platforms and is not responsible for their privacy and security practices.

As with all other entities, the College’s websites and information system are not immune from attempted cyber attacks. However, the College maintains reasonable security measures to protect users from the destruction, theft, or loss of the information controlled by the College. Users should promptly contact the College regarding any unusual activity.