This privacy policy describes how the Sigma Tau Delta 2026 Convention website (the “Website”) collects, uses, and shares personal information of users (“you”) who visit and interact with the Website.
Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:
- Contact Information: Name, email address, postal address, phone number. This is collected when you register for the convention, subscribe to our newsletter, or contact us through the Website.
- Payment Information: Credit card details or other payment information. This is collected when you register for the convention and pay online. Note: We may use a third-party payment processor, and your payment information may be subject to their privacy policy as well.
- Account Information: Username and password. This is collected when you create an account on the Website.
- Demographic Information: Information such as your school affiliation, major, and year of study. This is collected during registration.
- Usage Data: Information about how you use the Website, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages visited, and the dates/times of your visits. This is collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies.
- Submitted Content: Any content you submit to the Website, such as forum posts, comments, or presentation proposals.
How We Use Your Information
We may use your personal information for the following purposes:
- Convention Registration: To process your registration for the Sigma Tau Delta 2026 Convention.
- Communication: To communicate with you about the convention, including sending you updates, newsletters, and important announcements.
- Website Improvement: To analyze Website usage and improve the Website’s content and functionality.
- Personalization: To personalize your experience on the Website, such as displaying content that is relevant to your interests.
- Customer Support: To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations.
How We Share Your Information
We may share your personal information with the following categories of recipients:
- Service Providers: Third-party service providers who assist us with Website hosting, payment processing, email marketing, and other services. These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your personal information.
- Convention Organizers: Sigma Tau Delta and its designated representatives involved in organizing the convention.
- Other Attendees (Limited): In some cases, such as a conference attendee list, we may share limited information (name, affiliation) with other convention attendees. You will be given the option to opt-out of this sharing.
- Legal Authorities: We may disclose your personal information to legal authorities if required by law or legal process.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to collect usage data and personalize your experience on the Website. You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of the Website.
Your Rights
You may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: You have the right to correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information we hold about you.
- Deletion: You have the right to request that we delete your personal information.
- Opt-Out: You have the right to opt-out of receiving marketing communications from us.
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the contact information provided below.
Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure.
Children’s Privacy
The Website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will post any changes on the Website and update the “Last Updated” date below.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about this privacy policy, please contact us at:
englishconvention@niu.edu
Last Updated: May 20, 2025
Important Considerations:
- GDPR/CCPA Compliance: If you have attendees from the EU or California, you need to ensure your policy is compliant with GDPR and CCPA respectively. This might involve more detailed disclosures and consent mechanisms.
- Third-Party Services: Clearly identify all third-party services you use (e.g., payment processors, email marketing platforms) and link to their privacy policies.
- Data Retention: Specify how long you retain personal information.
- International Data Transfers: If you transfer data internationally, disclose this and explain the safeguards in place.
- Accessibility: Ensure your privacy policy is accessible to people with disabilities.
Remember to replace the bracketed placeholders with your specific information. It’s highly recommended to consult with a legal professional to tailor this template to your specific needs and ensure compliance with all applicable laws.