OSCA respects the privacy of visitors to its website. OSCA strongly believes that if electronic commerce and online activities are to flourish, visitors must be assured that information provided online is used responsibly and appropriately. To protect online privacy, OSCA has implemented the following policy.
What Information Does OSCA Collect?
Most data OSCA collects is not personal but business related to help OSCA better serve its members. OSCA does collect home addresses, phone numbers, and emails allowing the association to communicate with its members and contacts. OSCA also collects general demographic information such as gender, ethnicity, region of state, county of residence and employer name, level and type.
From the General Public Using Unrestricted OSCA Files
OSCA does not collect any personal information from users browsing its website. Users to the public areas of OSCA's website browse anonymously. Only aggregate data, such as the number of hits per page, are collected. Aggregate data are only used for internal purposes and do not provide any personally identifying information.
From OSCA Members, Event Registrants and Other Customers
To gain access to some of the members-only areas of OSCA's website, users are asked to provide some limited information. This data is submitted voluntarily. OSCA asks users to provide their name, school or organization, home address, phone and e-mail, and users may choose to provide OSCA with their credit card accounts to make payments. Similar information may be submitted to OSCA through membership applications, event registrations or online store purchases.
Cookies and Web Beacons
In order to help enhance the performance and functionality of the site, we utilize session, persistent and third-party “cookies” that store a small piece of data on a users’ computers and collect certain information about the users’ visit to our site. Our site may also use web beacons (either directly or from our partners). These beacons may aid in our understanding of users’ activities, help manage content, compile usage statistics and track the effectiveness of our communications.
Cookies are small text files that web servers typically send to users’ computer when they visit a website. Cookies are stored as text files on users’ hard drive and can be accessed by web servers when the user visits a website or views an advertisement. A session cookie is a cookie that stores information as a user is using the site but is deleted once the browser session is finished. A persistent cookie is a cookie that stores information as a user utilizes the site and stores and uses that information in connection with future visits of the user to the site. Third-party cookies and/or web beacons are cookies or web beacons provided by our technology partners. Any third-party cookie or web beacon that we authorize for use on the site only collects that information described below for the same stated purposes as if we were directly collecting the information. For a third-party cookie or web beacon, the third-party will have access to the collected information in order to provide us with information or services to enhance the performance and functionality of the site.
The cookies and web beacons we use collect non-personally identifiable information about users of the site, including: browser used to access the site, date and time, the URL of the page being loaded, users who have visited a particular website(s), any previously assigned cookie identification (a unique identifier assigned to a user to identify repeat visitors), browser window size, the geographic location of the user, device and operating system used to access the site. The information we collect from these cookies and web beacons is used to determine information about a user’s visit to our site, including the number of visits, average time spent, pages viewed, navigation history through the website and other statistics. This information is used to enhance the users experience while visiting our site and to improve the performance of our site by, among other things, allowing us to monitor site performance, making the site easier to use, measuring the effectiveness of promotional placements and tailoring the site (including the ads and offers a user receives) to better match a user’s interests and preferences.
Users who prefer not to accept cookies can set their Internet browser to notify them when they receive a cookie or to prevent cookies from being placed on their hard drive. If you consent to our collection of cookies and you subsequently wish to withdraw your consent, you will need to manage the settings on your web browser to delete all cookies and disallow further acceptance of cookies. Please note that disabling cookies on your browser will prevent us from tracking your activities in relation to our site; however, it may also disable some of the functions and features of the site and the site may not work properly.
By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our placing cookies and/or web beacons on your computer in order to analyze the way you use our site. Please read this cookie policy carefully for more details about the information we collect when you use the site. If you do not wish to accept cookies or web beacons in connection with your use of this site, please discontinue use of the site.
A Note About Children
The OSCA website is not intended for users under the age of 18. OSCA encourages younger visitors to get their parents' permission before providing any information to OSCA. Although the nature of the Internet makes it impossible for OSCA to know the age of its visitors, keep in mind that OSCA does not collect any personal information about people of any age who visit the unrestricted areas of its website. Moreover, it is unlikely that OSCA will inadvertently collect personal information voluntarily submitted, as through member applications, event registrations or order forms, because OSCA does ask for the name of an employer or a credit card account number - information that should exclude all but the most precocious minor.
How Does OSCA Use Data Collected?
OSCA uses other information voluntarily submitted by members, event registrants, and other customers in the following ways:
OSCA Member Services and Products
Generally, OSCA uses data it collects to improve its own website content; to respond to visitors' interests, needs and preferences; to develop new products and services; and to provide individuals with information about complimentary OSCA products, services, promotions or special offers.
Disclosures to Third Parties
OSCA also makes limited member contact information available through the online Membership Directory to other members visiting its Internet site and to those who register for its events. On occasion, OSCA may also provide limited data to third parties that offer products and services. These limited data may include names, primary addresses and emails but do not include phone numbers. OSCA does share member names and contacts annually to the American School Counselor Association in compliance with its charter agreement. Users may request OSCA refrain from disclosing the data it collects to third parties on the membership application form, event registration form or any other form on which they are providing information. Alternatively, users may contact OSCA to express their preferences.
Credit Card Account Information
OSCA does not disclose credit card account information provided by its members and customers. When members and customers choose to pay using their credit cards, OSCA submits the information needed to secure payment to the appropriate clearinghouse.
How Does OSCA Ensure Compliance with its Privacy Policy?
OSCA is committed to making sure that its privacy policy is understood and respected by all of its representatives. OSCA has taken the following steps to ensure compliance. All OSCA representatives who collect or disclose information about members and contacts are required to sign an agreement to ensure that they understand the privacy policy. In addition, regular network audits ensure that only OSCA representatives who have an operational need to access personally identifying information have such network privileges. Access to OSCA network resources is limited to OSCA representatives. Access to data collected from visitors to its website is granted on an as-needed basis and is limited to approved OSCA representatives.
How Does OSCA Handle Concerns or Complaints?
OSCA believes individuals should have the right to review their personal information to ensure its accuracy. If you wish to review your data, please contact OSCA. Members that are concerned about the treatment of their personal data should contact OSCA's executive director.
