SMS and Communication Policy

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 (“CSU,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) offers a mobile messaging program (“Program”), which you agree to use and participate in subject to these SMS and Communications Terms and Conditions (“Terms”). By opting into or participating in any of our Programs, you accept and agree to these Terms. These Terms are limited to the Program and are not intended to modify other terms & conditions that may govern the relationship between you and us in other contexts.

 

Program Description

By opting into the Program, you agree to receive recurring mobile messages from us at the mobile number you provided. Messages may include academic/transactional information such as alerts, reminders, and updates, as well as marketing-related information. Our messages are supported by most major U.S. wireless carriers, including but not limited to AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and others.

 

Opt In

The Program allows users to receive academic mobile messages by affirmatively opting into the Program by selecting the “Subscribe” option in their student portal. Additionally, the Program allows users to receive SMS messages provided by or through CSU-provided third parties by affirmatively opting in through such third parties’ respective student interfaces. By opting in and participating in the Program, you agree to receive autodialed or prerecorded academic and transactional mobile messages at the phone number associated with your opt-in. While you consent to receive messages sent using an autodialer, the foregoing shall not be interpreted to suggest or imply that any or all of our mobile messages are sent using an autodialer.

 

Cost and Message Frequency

Message and data rates may apply. The Program involves recurring mobile messages, and additional mobile messages may be sent periodically based on your interaction with us.

 

Opt Out; Support

If you do not wish to continue participating in the Program or no longer agree to these Terms, you agree to reply “STOP” to any Academic text message we have sent you 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. You may receive an additional mobile message confirming your decision to opt out. For support regarding the Program, text “HELP” to any message we have sent you, or e-mail us at datasecurityofficer@columbiasouthern.edu

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Disclaimers

THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED ON AN “AS-IS” BASIS AND MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN ALL AREAS AT ALL TIMES AND MAY NOT CONTINUE TO WORK IN THE EVENT OF PRODUCT, SOFTWARE, COVERAGE, OR OTHER CHANGES MADE BY YOUR WIRELESS CARRIER.  WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DELAYS OR FAILURES IN THE RECEIPT OF ANY MOBILE MESSAGES CONNECTED WITH THE PROGRAM.  DELIVERY OF MOBILE MESSAGES IS SUBJECT TO EFFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FROM YOUR WIRELESS SERVICE PROVIDER/NETWORK OPERATOR AND IS OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL. WE AND OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THE SUPPORTED WIRELESS CARRIERS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR DELAYED OR UNDELIVERED MESSAGES.

 

Notification and Indemnification

If at any time you intend to stop using the mobile telephone number used to subscribe to the Program, including canceling your service plan or selling or transferring the phone number to another party, you agree that you will opt out of the Program as set forth above prior to ending your use of the mobile telephone number.  You further agree that, if you discontinue the use of your mobile telephone number without notifying us of such change, you agree that you will be responsible for all costs (including attorneys’ fees) and liabilities incurred by us, or any party that assists in the delivery of the mobile messages, as a result of claims brought by the individual(s) who is later assigned that mobile telephone number.  This agreement shall survive any cancellation or termination of your agreement to participate in any of our Programs. YOU AGREE THAT YOU SHALL INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD US, OUR AGENTS, AND ANY THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDER WE USE TO SEND TEXT MESSAGES HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIM OR LIABILITY RESULTING FROM YOUR FAILURE TO NOTIFY US OF A CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE PROVIDED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY CLAIM OR LIABILITY UNDER THE TELEPHONE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OR SIMILAR STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS, AND ANY REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER RESULTING FROM US ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT YOU AT THE MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER YOU PROVIDED.

 

Modification of Terms

We reserve the right to revise these Terms from time to time.  If we do revise these Terms, the revised terms will supersede prior revisions.  Unless we say otherwise, revisions will be effective upon the effective date indicated at the top of these Terms.  Any updates to these Terms shall be communicated to you with a link to the updated Terms.  Your continued participation in the Program after receiving notice of the updated Terms constitutes your acceptance of any revisions.  If you do not agree to the revisions, you must opt out of the Program.

 

Miscellaneous

You represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights, power, and authority to agree to these Terms and perform your obligations hereunder, and nothing contained in these Terms or in the performance of such obligations will place you in breach of any other contract or obligation.  The failure of either party to exercise in any respect any right provided for herein will not be deemed a waiver of any further rights hereunder.  If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms will otherwise remain in full force and effect and enforceable.  Any new features, changes, updates, or improvements of the Program shall be subject to these Terms unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing.

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the Program, these Terms, or your text messaging preferences, please contact us at:
Columbia Southern University
21982 University Lane
Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
(800) 977-8449 ext. 6523

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 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 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.