I. Overview

The SMS and Mobile Communication Policy covers the types of SMS activity to expect, the Opt-In and Opt-Out process by students, and expectations when using the SMS service.

II. Purpose

This policy will ensure proper mobile communication standards and processes between Columbia Southern University (CSU) and students are laid out and adhered to.

III. Scope

This SMS and Mobile Communication Policy applies to all CSU mobile phone messaging and communication systems, the students who use CSU systems, people and processes that constitute CSU information systems, including staff, executives, faculty, and third parties with access to CSU’s information technology assets.

IV. Policy

Columbia Southern University (“We” or “Us”) offers our customers mobile alerts over SMS for multiple purposes including billing and academic updates. You must opt-in to academic text messages by selecting the “Subscribe” option in your student portal. Additionally, you may opt-in to SMS messaging provided by or through CSU provided third parties within their respective student interfaces. Your cellular provider’s Msg&Data Rates May Apply to our confirmation message and all subsequent messages.

You understand the text messages we send may be seen by anyone with access to your phone. Accordingly, you should take steps to safeguard your phone and your text messages if you want them to remain private.

Please notify us immediately if you change mobile numbers or plan to provide your phone to another person.

If you have any questions about this policy, prefer a paper copy of this policy, or are having problems receiving or stopping our text messages, please contact us using the following information:

Columbia Southern University
21982 University Lane
Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
(800) 977-8449 ext. 6523

You agree and consent to be contacted by the Company, Our agents, employees, attorneys, affiliates, subsequent creditors, loan servicing companies, and third-party collectors through the use of email, and/or telephone calls and/or SMS text messages to your cellular, home or work phone numbers, as well as any other phone number you have provided in conjunction with this account, including the use of automatic telephone dialing systems, auto dialers, or an artificial or prerecorded voice.

Opt-out or STOP

This policy applies to the text messages sent by Columbia Southern University to our customers while and after they use our product. If you wish to stop receiving Academic text messages from Columbia Southern University, reply to any Academic text message we have sent you and in the reply text simply type STOP or navigate to MyAccount in the MyCSU student portal to change your subscription options. For messages received from CSU provided third parties, you will need to navigate to the providers portal to disable text messages, or you may also stop text messages by calling us (or emailing us) using the contact information below.

Columbia Southern University
21982 University Lane
Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
(800) 977-8449 ext. 6523

To cancel SMS Academic alerts, text “STOP” to 231-981-3771 at any time.

Help or Support

If you need contact information or information on how to stop text messages, reply to any text message we have sent you and in the reply, simply type HELP. Upon receiving your text message, we will send you a text message with this information. The number of messages you receive will vary based on your payment activity and account preferences. In general, the messages we send provide you with information about your account. Some of the text messages we send may include links to websites. To access these websites, you will need a web browser and internet access.

V. Responsible Parties

The roles below are set in accordance with the Information Security Policy.

CSU is responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

  • Administering mobile alert systems.
  • Facilitating Opt-In and Opt-Out processes.
  • Administering payments and billing.
  • Providing CSU contact information and providing support.
  • Protecting and securing CSU information systems.

The student is responsible for the following:

  • Providing consent or withdrawing consent for mobile alerts.
  • Understanding your cellular provider’s message and data rates.
  • Protecting and securing your phone.
  • Notifying CSU of phone number changes.

VI. Enforcement

Students who need assistance with contact information or information on how to stop text messages may contact CSU for assistance. Students with outstanding bills may experience interruption with student accounts.

CSU cooperates with appropriate law enforcement entities if any user may have violated federal or state law. Instances of failure to adhere to this policy will be brought to the attention of the Data Security Officer (DSO). The DSO may seek consultation/advice from Student Accounts and Legal Counsel.

VII. Related Standards, Policies, and Processes

Related policy documentation includes the following:

  • CSU Privacy Policy
  • CSU Information Security Policy
  • CSU IT and Cybersecurity Exception Standard

VIII. Exception Process

Exception requests must be made in writing in accordance with the IT and Cybersecurity Exception Standard and the Information Security Policy and must contain:

  • The reason for the request
  • Risk to the enterprise of not following the written policy
  • Specific mitigations that will not be implemented
  • Technical and other difficulties, and
  • Date of review.