Privacy Policy
Section A. Introduction
Thank you for visiting the Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority ("Authority") website and reviewing our Privacy Notice. This statement addresses collection, use and security of and access to information that may be obtained through use of the Authority website.
Section B. Information Collected and How It Is Used
Information collected if you only browse this site:
If you do nothing during your visit to our web site but browse, read pages, or download information, we will gather and store certain information about your visit. This information does not identify you personally. We automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:
The Internet Protocol Address and domain name used. The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. We use the Internet Protocol Address to direct Internet traffic to you. This address can be translated to determine the domain name of your service provider (e.g. xcompany.com or yourschool.edu); the type of browser and operating system you used; the date and time you visited this site; the web pages or services you accessed at this site; and the web site you visited prior to coming to this website.
The information we automatically collect or store is logged and used by the Authority only to improve the content of our web services and to help us understand how people are using our services. The Authority analyzes the website logs to determine how our website is being used, so that we may continually improve the site's usefulness to the public.
What we collect if you volunteer information:
If during your visit to our website you participate in a survey, send an email, or perform some other transaction online, the following additional information will be collected:
The email address, and contents of email, for those who communicate with us via email; information volunteered in response to a survey; and information volunteered through an online form for any other purpose. The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats you send us.
We use your email to respond appropriately. This may be to respond to you, to address issues you may identify, to further improve our website, or to forward the email for appropriate action. Survey information and information from other online forms is used by the Authority to improve the quality of our services or for any additional purposes identified when we present a survey or otherwise request information from you.
Section C. Personal Information and Choice
You may choose whether to provide personal information online. "Personal information" is information about a natural person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information includes such things as an individual's name, address, and phone number. A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information.
We collect no personal information about you unless you voluntarily provide it to us by sending us email, participating in a survey, or completing an online form. You may choose not to contact us by email, participate in a survey or to provide any personal information using an online form. Your choice to not participate in these activities will not impair your ability to browse the Authority website and read or download any information provided on the site. If personal information is requested on the web site or volunteered by the user, state law and the federal Privacy Act of 1974 may protect it. However, this information is a public record once you provide it, and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by federal or state law.
If you believe that your personal/private information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, you may contact the Communications Manager as shown in the Contact Information Section of this statement.
The Authority website is a general audience site and we do not knowingly collect any personal information from children. Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information requested from or volunteered by children online or by email will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and may be subject to public access.
Section D. Public Access to Information
In the State of Washington, laws exist to ensure that government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information possessed by state government. At the same time, there are exceptions to the public's right to access public records that serve various needs including the privacy of individuals. Exceptions are provided by both state and federal laws.
All of the information collected at this site becomes public records that may be subject to inspection and copying by members of the public, unless an exemption in law exists. RCW 42.56.070 states that:
Each agency, in accordance with published rules, shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of *subsection (6) of this section, this chapter, or other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records. To the extent required to prevent an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy interests protected by this chapter, an agency shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with this chapter when it makes available or publishes any public record; however, in each case, the justification for the deletion shall be explained fully in writing.
In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Notice and the Public Records Act or other law governing the agency’s disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.
Section E. Nondisclosure of Certain Personal/Private Information
Generally, all the Authority's files are available for public inspection, unless exempt from disclosure under the provisions of state and federal laws. Examples of information that is not available for public review include: Personal information maintained on borrowers or applicants for Authority programs; lists of individuals to be used for commercial purposes; personal information maintained on employees, appointees, or elected officials.
Section F. Review and Correction of Personally Identifiable Information
You can review any personally identifiable information we collect about you by using the information in the Contact Information section at the end of this Notice. You may recommend changes to your personally identifiable information you believe to be inaccurate by submitting a written request that credibly shows the inaccuracy. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections. (RCW 43.105.310)
Section H. Security
The Washington State Consolidated Technology Services (CTS), as host of the Authority website, and the Authority have taken and are continuing to take several steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access to information collected on the website and maintained by the Authority. These measures are designed and intended to prevent corruption of data, block unknown or unauthorized access to our systems and information, and to provide reasonable protection of private information in our possession.
This information should not be construed in any way as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided via the Authority website.
Section I. Disclaimer
The Authority’s website has many links to other websites. These include links to websites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. When you link to another site, you are no longer on the Authority website and this Privacy Notice will not apply. When you link to another website, you are subject to the privacy policy of that new site.
Neither the State of Washington, nor any agency, officer, or employee of the State of Washington warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at their own risk.
Section J. Copyright
The Authority website may contain text, artwork, photos or other content that is copyrighted by others and is being used with the express permission of the copyright holder. Contact our Communications Manager for permission to use information contained on this site.
Section K. Higher Education Facilities Authority Contact Information
To review your personal information, request correction of your personal information, or if you have questions about information presented in this Privacy Notice, please contact:
Communications Manager, Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority
1000 Second Avenue, Suite 2700, Seattle, Washington 98104
Phone: 206-464-7139 or 811-767-4663 | Fax: 206-587-5113 | whefa@wshfc.org