Privacy
The University of Alberta is committed to providing our staff, students and visitors with websites that respect their privacy. This page summarizes the privacy policy and practices for all University of Alberta websites.
University of Alberta websites do not automatically gather any personal information from you, such as your name, phone number or email address. This information is only obtained if you provide it voluntarily, through contacting us via email, or through an online form. Any personal information you do provide is managed according to the Alberta’s Access to Information Act (ATIA) and Alberta’s Protection of Privacy Act (POPA). This means that, at the point of collection, you will be informed that your personal information is being collected, the purpose for which it is being collected, and that you have a right of access to the collected information. Some University of Alberta websites may collect more information than is described here and will have additional privacy policies. Where applicable, please be sure to read these privacy policies.
Be advised that the University of Alberta uses automated systems to generate content and to make decisions, recommendations, and predictions. The personal information collected may be included in these automated systems.
Unless we are required or authorized by law, we do not attempt to link the information collected to identify individuals (i.e., IP address). However, we do use information to monitor traffic patterns to improve our services.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device by websites you visit. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to site owners about how users interact with their services.
We may use cookies for a variety of purposes, including:
- Essential cookies – These are required for basic website functionality, such as page navigation, access to secure areas, or maintaining session information. The website cannot function properly without them.
- Preference cookies – These remember information such as your language settings or other customizations, to improve your experience.
- Analytics cookies – These help us understand how visitors interact with our site by collecting and reporting anonymous information. This data helps us improve site performance and usability.
- Marketing cookies – These may be used to track visitors across websites for the purpose of displaying relevant advertising. We do not use marketing cookies without your explicit consent.
When non-essential cookies are used, we will request your consent through a cookie banner or settings tool when you first visit our site. You can withdraw or update your consent at any time.
You can also control or delete cookies through your browser settings. For more information, refer to your browser’s help section.
Security
To ensure the integrity and availability of the service, the University of Alberta employs various techniques that identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage or render the service unavailable.
Privacy and links to other sites
University of Alberta websites may contain links to other sites. We are not responsible for the content and the privacy practices of other websites and encourage you to examine each site's privacy policy and disclaimers and make your own decisions regarding the accuracy, reliability and correctness of material and information found.
Information collected in emails and web forms
Should you choose to provide us with personal information — as in an email or by filling out a form and submitting it to us through our website — we will use that information to respond to your message and to help us get the information you have requested. The University of Alberta does not collect personal information for commercial marketing or distribution to any private organizations. The University does not sell personal information in its custody or control. Messages sent via the Internet can be intercepted. If you are concerned about sending your personal information to us via the Internet, you can use another method such as fax or regular mail.
Transactions where information enters a system of records
Where personal information is provided that enters a system of records, it is collected in compliance with section 4c) of the Alberta’s Protection of Privacy Act (POPA). The University of Alberta collects, creates and maintains information for the purposes of admission, registration and other activities directly related to its operational and education programs and institutional mandate. Information is retained in accordance with approved retention periods.
Google Analytics
The University of Alberta uses Google Analytics to gather statistics on portions of its web site. The University of Alberta will use the information gathered to improve digital services for its patrons.
Google Analytics employs cookies to define user sessions, which allows for the collection of important data about how our patrons are using the site. Google Analytics uses only first-party cookies for data analysis. This means that the cookies are linked to the ualberta.ca website domain(s), and the University of Alberta will only use the collected data and cookies for aggregate, including age, gender and possibly interests for non-individual statistical analysis related to your browsing behaviour.
According to Google, the data collected cannot be altered or retrieved by services from other domains. If you choose, you can opt out by turning off cookies in the preferences settings in your browser. For more information on Google Analytics privacy, please visit the Google Analytics Privacy FAQ.
Getting more information
For questions or comments regarding this policy, or for additional information about the administration of the Access to Information Act and Protection of Privacy Act, contact the University of Alberta Information, Privacy and Records Management Office.