Privacy and Usage Policy

1. Privacy and Usage Policy

Effective date: 2026-07-29
Last updated: 2026-07-29

1. Scope and acceptance

This Privacy and Usage Policy explains how Shaw University (“Shaw,” “the University,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, protects, and discloses information through www.shawu.edu, www.shawuniversity.edu, www.shawbears.com, other official websites and online services under the University’s control, and University communications, including text messages.

Some University systems, programs, or services may provide additional privacy notices or terms. Those additional notices apply together with this policy. Student education records are also governed by applicable education-records laws and University policies.

By using a University website or online service, you agree to the applicable terms described on that website or service. If you do not agree, you should not use that website or service.

2. Information we collect

Depending on how you interact with Shaw University, we may collect:

• Contact information, such as your name, postal address, email address, and telephone or mobile number.
• University relationship information, such as whether you are a prospective student, applicant, student, parent or family member, employee, alumnus, donor, visitor, vendor, or other member of the University community.
• Application, registration, appointment, event, support, survey, and other information you choose to submit.
• Account and authentication information used to provide access to University systems and services.
• Communications you send to or receive from the University, including email, web-form submissions, telephone calls, and text-message content.
• SMS consent records, including the mobile number, date, time, source, method, and scope of consent, as well as message-delivery, HELP, and opt-out records.
• Technical and usage information, such as Internet Protocol address, browser type, device information, pages visited, referring pages, timestamps, and interactions with our websites.
• Cookie, analytics, and similar technology information used to operate, secure, understand, and improve University websites and services.

  We may also receive information from University departments, service providers, educational partners, and other sources when permitted by law and consistent with the purpose for which the information was provided.

3. How we use information

Shaw University may use information to:

• Respond to questions, requests, applications, appointments, and support needs.
• Provide academic, administrative, enrollment, employment, alumni, advancement, safety, event, and student-support services.
• Communicate deadlines, registration information, service updates, campus information, appointments, events, and other University matters.
• Provide admissions, application-status, enrollment-step, program, and scheduled-appointment communications.
• Operate, maintain, authenticate, secure, analyze, and improve University websites, systems, and services.
• Conduct surveys, research, assessment, reporting, and institutional improvement activities.
• Detect, investigate, and prevent misuse, fraud, security incidents, or violations of University policy.
• Comply with legal, regulatory, contractual, accreditation, safety, and recordkeeping obligations.
• Send promotional communications when the recipient has provided any consent required for that communication.

4. Cookies and analytics

University websites may use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary for website operation, authentication, preferences, security, analytics, and service improvement. Some features may not function properly if a user blocks or deletes certain cookies.

We may use service providers, such as web-hosting and analytics providers, to help us understand website performance and usage. Information provided to those service providers must be used to perform services for Shaw University and not for the provider’s independent marketing purposes, except where separately disclosed and permitted by law.

5. Sharing and disclosure

Shaw University does not sell or rent personal information. We may disclose information within the University to personnel who need it to perform University responsibilities and to service providers that process information on the University’s behalf.

We may also disclose information:

• To provide, support, secure, and improve University services and communications.
• When directed or authorized by the individual.
• To comply with applicable law, legal process, regulatory requirements, or lawful governmental requests.
• To protect the rights, safety, property, systems, and operations of Shaw University or others.
• In connection with an institutional transaction, reorganization, or service transition, subject to appropriate protections.
• In aggregated or de-identified form that is not reasonably capable of identifying an individual.

Service providers that receive personal information must be limited to using it for the services they provide to Shaw University, subject to applicable agreements and law.

6. SMS and text-messaging privacy

When you provide a mobile telephone number or communicate with Shaw University by text message, we may collect your name, mobile number, University relationship, communication preferences, message content, and records associated with consent, delivery, HELP requests, and opt-out requests.

Shaw University may use this information to respond to questions; provide appointment confirmations and reminders; send service, support, safety, and administrative updates; communicate deadlines, registration information, campus notices, and event information; and provide admissions, application-status, enrollment-step, program, and scheduled-appointment communications.

No mobile information, SMS opt-in data, or text-message consent will be sold or shared with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes.

Shaw University may disclose mobile information to telecommunications carriers, messaging platforms, and service providers only as necessary to deliver, administer, secure, and support University messaging; comply with law; or protect University rights, users, and systems. Those providers may not use Shaw’s SMS consent information for their own marketing purposes.

Consent to receive recurring text messages is voluntary. Where applicable, recipients may opt out by replying STOP and may request assistance by replying HELP. Additional terms appear in the SMS Terms and Conditions below.

7. Surveys

Shaw University may request information through voluntary surveys. A survey may request contact, demographic, educational, service-experience, or other information relevant to the stated survey purpose. The University may use survey responses for research, assessment, accreditation, planning, service improvement, and other institutional purposes. Survey notices may provide additional information about confidentiality, identified or anonymous participation, incentives, or the use of results. Choosing not to participate in a voluntary survey will not affect access to unrelated University services.

8. Security

Shaw University uses reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information against unauthorized access, use, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Depending on the system and information involved, safeguards may include access controls, authentication, encryption, logging, monitoring, endpoint protections, risk assessment, vulnerability management, incident-response processes, and service-provider requirements.

No website, transmission, or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Users should protect their credentials, use secure connections, and notify the University if they suspect unauthorized activity.

9. Data retention

Shaw University retains information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to provide University services, to meet legal and institutional recordkeeping requirements, to resolve disputes, and to enforce agreements and policies. Retention periods vary based on the type of information, the system, and applicable requirements.

10. Links and third-party services

University websites may link to websites and services operated by other organizations. Shaw University does not control the privacy or security practices of independent third parties. Users should review the privacy notices and terms applicable to those services. When a third party processes information on Shaw University’s behalf, the University seeks to use appropriate service and data-protection requirements.

11. User submissions and acceptable use

Users may not use University websites or services to transmit unlawful, threatening, defamatory, abusive, obscene, fraudulent, malicious, or rights-infringing content; interfere with website or system operation; gain unauthorized access; or violate applicable law or University policy.

Personal information submitted through a designated application, registration, support, payment, or other University process will be handled under this policy and any additional notice provided for that process. Other unsolicited public submissions may not be confidential.

12. Website materials and disclaimers

University website materials are provided for general informational purposes and may be changed without notice. To the extent permitted by law, websites and materials are provided without warranties of uninterrupted availability, complete accuracy, or fitness for a particular purpose. Nothing in this policy limits rights or responsibilities that cannot be limited under applicable law.

13. Changes to this policy

Shaw University may update this policy to reflect changes in law, technology, University services, or institutional practices. The University will post the revised policy and update the “Last updated” date. Material changes may also be communicated through other appropriate channels.

14. Contact

Questions about this policy or the privacy practices of Shaw University websites may be sent to webmaster@shawu.edu or directed to Shaw University at 919-546-8200.

Shaw University
118 E. South Street
Raleigh, NC 27601

 

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2. SMS Terms and Conditions

By providing your mobile telephone number and consenting to receive text messages from Shaw University, you agree to receive the categories of text messages identified at the point where you provide consent. Depending on the program, messages may be conversational, informational, or promotional.

Messages may include:

• Responses to questions or requests that you send to Shaw University.
• Appointment confirmations, reminders, cancellations, and follow-up.
• Service updates, support notifications, and administrative follow-up.
• Campus information, deadlines, registration notices, and event information.
• Admissions, application-status, enrollment-step, academic-program, and scheduled-appointment communications.
• Promotional communications about University programs, enrollment opportunities, or events when you have provided the required consent.

Message frequency varies based on the program, your relationship with Shaw University, and your interactions with the University. Message and data rates may apply.

Reply STOP to opt out of messages from the applicable messaging program. Reply HELP for assistance. You may also call Shaw University at 919-546-8200. After an opt-out request, you may receive one final message confirming that the opt-out was processed.

Consent to receive recurring text messages is voluntary and is not a condition of admission, enrollment, employment, purchasing goods or services, or receiving unrelated University services. Opting out of a text-messaging program does not opt you out of email, telephone, emergency, or other communications where different preferences or legal requirements apply.

Mobile carriers are not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages. Delivery is subject to carrier availability and network conditions. Shaw University may modify or discontinue a messaging program or these terms as permitted by law.

Shaw University’s collection, use, and disclosure of mobile information and SMS consent are described in the Privacy and Usage Policy above.