Privacy Policy

Thank you for visiting our Kirkwood Community College (Kirkwood) website.  Kirkwood recognizes the importance of and is committed to protecting the privacy rights of our students, employees, and community business partners.  Information collected will be used for College purposes only. By visiting any of our websites, you are accepting the practices described within this document.  The following speaks to Kirkwood’s online information handling practices.

 

Information collected and stored automatically by the use of Kirkwood Web sites

Kirkwood websites are designed to provide information and to efficiently provide online services to our students, employees, and community business partners.  Following industry standards and best practices, our servers log information about your visit in order to continuously improve its usability.  This information does not contain personal data, but does contain:

  • The IP address of the device from which you accessed our Website
  • The name of the domain from which you access the Internet
  • The type of browser and operating system used while visiting our Website
  • The date and time(s) of your visits to our site
  • The pages, files, documents and links that you visit
  • The Internet address of the website from which you linked to this Website

 

Cookies and Google Analytics

Cookies are small text files that can store information to your browser as a result of visiting a website.  Kirkwood makes use of cookies to enhance your current and future visits to our website.  No personal information is collected through these cookies.  Kirkwood does not store any personal identifying information within client side cookies other than a temporary session id which is used to identify a user moving from page to page.  You can control your cookie preferences, including options to refuse cookies, from within your browser settings.  However, disabling cookies can cause problems with advanced features on some websites.

Some of our websites use Google Analytics to monitor web traffic. Google Analytics provides us aggregate data which contains no specific information that can be linked to an individual.  If you wish to opt out of this web tracking, Google Analytics provides an opt-out browser plugin.

 

Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Kirkwood will only collect PII which you knowingly and voluntarily provide.  If you provide us with PII, we may use this information to contact you in regards to your implied interest in the College.  Transmission of PII is secured with SSL encryption to ensure the privacy of this sensitive information.  The PII we do collect is stored in databases and files that are protected and secured via industry accepted best practices. 

Any information received by the College through our Website is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA - http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html)
Section 438, Public Law 90-247 Title IV, as amended, 88 Stat 571-574 (20 USC 1232g) otherwise known as the Buckley Amendment Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Some information submitted by users may be considered Protected Health Information (PHI). The College complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which regulates the use and disclosure of PHI.  The following is a summary link: http://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/.

At no time do we disclose PII except under the following conditions:

  • We have your consent to share the information
  • We need to share your information in order to provide the service or product you requested
  • When required to do so by subpoenas, court orders, or any other legal process

 

Students who are citizens of EU Countries

Kirkwood follows the GDPR rules to the extent that they do not conflict with State or Federal rules.

 

Disclaimer

Kirkwood may provide links to other websites of interest in order to provide services for its users.  Kirkwood is not responsible for the content and privacy practices of these websites.  The use of such linked sites is subject to the privacy statements and use requirements of each respective site; please check each site for its respective privacy policy.

 

Text Messaging Privacy Policy

By providing your mobile number and opting in, you agree to receive informational and transactional SMS messages from us related to your application, enrollment, account activity, and event participation. Message frequency may vary. Standard message and data rates may apply. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of enrollment or participation.

You may opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying STOP. For assistance, reply HELP.

We do not sell, rent, or share your mobile number or SMS consent information with third parties for their marketing purposes. Your mobile number may be shared with our SMS service provider solely to enable message delivery. We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information.

For questions about SMS messaging, your data, or our privacy practices, contact us at privacy@kirkwood.edu.

Some SMS messages and voice calls may be generated or assisted using automated technologies, including artificial intelligence, to support timely and accurate communications.

 

Messaging and Voice Communications Terms of Service

  1. Overview
    These Terms govern your receipt of SMS text messages and voice calls from Kirkwood Community College (“we,” “us,” “our”) related to admissions, enrollment, application status, account activity, and event notifications.

    By providing your phone number and opting in, you consent to receive communications as described below. Consent is not a condition of enrollment or participation.
  2. SMS Text Messaging
    Program Description
    By opting in, you agree to receive informational and transactional SMS text messages related to your interaction with us. Message frequency varies.

    Message and Data Rates
    Standard message and data rates may apply based on your carrier plan.

    Opt-Out
    Reply STOP to any SMS message to opt out. For help, reply HELP.
  3. Voice Calls (Live or Automated)
    Program Description
    You may receive voice calls from us related to admissions, enrollment, account activity, or event notifications. Calls may be placed by live representatives or through automated systems, including prerecorded or text-to-speech messages.

    Opt-Out
    You may opt out of voice calls at any time by: Following opt-out instructions provided during the call, or contacting us at 319-398-7600.
  4. Use of Automated or AI-Assisted Technologies
    We may use automated technologies, including artificial intelligence, prerecorded messages, or text-to-speech systems, to deliver SMS messages or voice calls in a timely and efficient manner. These technologies are used to support informational and transactional communications and are monitored for accuracy and appropriateness.
  5. Privacy
    We collect and use your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available above. We do not sell or share phone numbers or consent information with third parties for marketing purposes.
  6. Carrier and Service Disclaimers
    Mobile carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Voice call delivery may vary based on network conditions.
  7. Changes to These Terms
    We may update these Terms at any time. Updates will be posted at this URL with an updated effective date.
  8. Contact Information
    For questions about these Terms or our communications practices, contact ask@kirkwood.edu.

 

Privacy Statement Revisions

Periodically, this privacy statement may be updated to accommodate changes to our information security program or web environment.

 

Questions/Comments

If you have any questions or comments about our stance and approach to Privacy, you may send us an email privacy@kirkwood.edu

Last date of review: 04/02/2026