NSSE Web Privacy

The Center for Postsecondary Research conducts extensive research and statistical analysis using data collected from students and faculty at more than 1,000 postsecondary institutions. Our policies concerning the use of NSSE survey data are described in detail elsewhere on the site, but this page describes data we collect about visitors to our Web site and how we use them.

Cookies

Cookies are small packets of text information that are stored on a visitor’s Web browser when they select a page. Cookies are most often used to track visitor activity or to remember a visitor's identity in order to 'maintain state', such as keeping visitors logged in to a site, or remembering what is in a visitor’s shopping cart.

The NSSE website uses cookies primarily for staff log-ins, but they are also used in a few other applications as well. By assigning a unique random 'session' cookie value to a user that logs into a particular application, we can check this cookie to identify the user from page to page during the same visit.

Cookies may also be involved in tracking general page visitation statistics: Using cookies helps us determine which pages our visitors do and do not find useful and/or interesting. By assigning a session ID, we can track which pages users visit in order to discover which links are followed most and least often, and how often pages receive unique (non-repeated) visits.

Visitors who do not wish to have cookies set on their machines have the option of disabling cookies on their browser. To disable cookies in Internet Explorer, select 'Tools', and then 'Internet Options'. You can select a different level of privacy security under the 'Privacy' tab. In Firefox, select 'Tools', then 'Options', and then the 'Privacy' tab, which contains a 'Cookies' section. Other browsers have similar options interfaces.

For more information on Cookies, please visit Wikipedia's article on HTTP Cookies.

Web Forms

Users sometimes complete forms to register for events or order materials. Although these forms may collect some personal information, this information is never shared with non-relevant parties. It is used only to process your registration, address your questions and comments, or to fill your order.

Traffic Logs

NSSE and its related project Web sites maintain logs of page hits to help us better understand which pages are visited most often, which in turn helps us better organize our web site navigation. NSSE does not store or share any personally identifiable information about you when collecting this information. It is used solely for the purpose of analyzing Web site traffic in general.

Please rest assured that the NSSE Web site does not collect or store personal information from our users unless it is in the form of an online registration or other conspicuous means..

Thank you for visiting the NSSE Web site. If you have any questions or concerns about privacy, or comments about the Web site, please feel free to email us at nsse@indiana.edu.