Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy is effective on March 1, 2010 for current users, and upon acceptance for new users.
Collegiate Transport, LLC (the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) are dedicated to establishing trusting relationships with our users by respecting their personal identity and by promoting the use of fair information practices. This privacy policy (“Policy”) covers the Collegiate Transport, LLC Web Site, www.collegiatetransport.com (“Site”), and all Services offered now or in the future through the Site (“Services”). For purposes of this policy, “Collegiate Transport, LLC account” is defined as the account through which you access the Services.
We do not share information obtained from users through our Site or Services with any third parties.
1. Information Collection
The Company collects information from its users at several different points on the Site and through the Services, both directly from the user (including through interactions with Customer Service) and through the use of cookies, log files and clear gifs.
a. Registration
In order to use the Services, you must first complete the registration process. During registration you are required to provide contact information (such as name, phone number and email address), and to select a password. We use this information to contact you about the Services and other services offered by the Company for which you have expressed interest or that you might be interested in.
A user must also provide financial information (such as credit card number and expiration date). This information is used for billing purposes and to fill customers’ orders. If we have trouble processing an order and/or collecting payment, the contact information is used to contact the user.
b. Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. We may use both session ID cookies and persistent cookies. For the session ID cookie, once users close the browser, the cookie simply terminates. A persistent cookie is a small text file stored on the user’s hard drive for an extended period of time. Persistent cookies can be removed by following Internet browser help file directions.
Usage of a cookie is not linked to any personally identifiable information while on the Site except if you choose to store your user name and password so that you do not have to enter it each time you access your account. Then a persistent cookie will be stored on your computer which is linked to your account information.
If you reject the persistent cookie, you may still use the Site but you will be limited in some areas of it. Persistent cookies also enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance their experience on the Site. See the “Profile” section below.
c. Log Files
Like most Web sites, our servers use log files to analyze trends, administer the Site, track users’ movements in the aggregate and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. These log files are not linked to personally identifiable information.
d. Clear Gifs
Clear gifs are tiny graphics with a unique identifier, similar in function to cookies, and we may use them to track the online movements of our users. Clear gifs are invisible on the page and are much smaller than cookies, about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Clear gifs are not tied to users’ personally identifiable information. We may also use clear gifs in our HTML-based emails to let us know which emails have been opened by the recipients. This allows us to gauge the effectiveness of certain communications and the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. If users would like to opt-out of receiving these emails, please see the “Choice/Opt-out” section below.
e. Profile
We may store information that we collect through cookies, log files and clear gifs to create a profile of our users. A profile is stored information that we keep on individual users that details their viewing preferences and Services usage.
2. Use of Personally Identifiable Information
a. Special Offers
We send all new customers a welcoming email to verify their information (name, address, phone number, plan type). Established users will occasionally receive other emails containing Company information about Company’s other services that are likely to be of interest to our customers (“Promotional Emails”). We might also contact you by other communication channels such as telephone or direct mail.
b. Product Updates, Newsletters, Service Announcements
We might also send you emails or newsletters which contain usage tips, product updates or updates to the Customer Agreement or this Policy. If necessary, we will also send you Service-related announcements. For instance, if a Service is temporarily suspended for maintenance, we may send users an email. Users cannot opt-out of these non-promotional communications unless they deactivate their account.
c. Customer Service
We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested Services and regarding issues relating to users’ accounts. We reply via email, phone, or other available method, in accordance with the user’s wishes.
3. User Choices Regarding Collection, Use and Distribution of Information
a. Surveys
Periodically, users might be asked to participate in surveys. Participation in these surveys is completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose this information. The requested information typically includes contact information (such as name and address) and demographic information (such as zip code). Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the use and satisfaction of the Company’s Services. Users’ personally identifiable information is not shared with third parties.
b. Tell-A-Friend
If a user elects to use our referral service for informing a friend about our Services, we ask them for the friend’s name and email address. The Company will automatically send the friend a one-time email on your behalf inviting them to visit the Company’s Site. The Company stores this information for the sole purpose of sending this one-time email and tracking the success of our referral program.
4. Security
The Company takes every reasonable precaution to protect its user’s information. When users submit sensitive information via the Site, their information is protected both online and off-line.
When our registration/order forms ask users to enter sensitive information (such as a credit card number), that information is protected with encryption software called SSL.
While we use SSL encryption to protect sensitive information online, we also employ security measures to protect user-information off-line. All of our users’ information, not just the sensitive information mentioned above, is restricted in our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, our billing clerks or a Customer Service representative) are granted access to personally identifiable information.
5. Notification of Changes
If we decide to change our Policy in a non-material way, we will post those changes in this Policy, and other places we deem appropriate, so our users are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we disclose it. We will use information in accordance with the privacy policy under which the information was collected.
If, however, we change our Policy in a material way, we will notify users via email. Users will have a choice as to whether or not we use their information in this different manner. However, if users have deleted/deactivated their account, then they will not be contacted, nor will their personal information be used in this new manner.
6. Data Retention
The time period for which we keep information varies according to how we use the information. In some cases, there are legal requirements to keep data for a minimum period. Unless there is a specific legal requirement for us to keep the information, we will retain it for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the data was collected or for which it is to be further processed.
