Resources

Privacy Notice

University of Chicago Professional Education (UCPE) provides services and support to prospective students, applicants, current graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, alumni, employers, faculty, and other constituents (collectively, “constituents”) across the University of Chicago.

Students walking on the UChicago campus in Spring

UCPE is committed to safeguarding the individual privacy of its constituents. This Privacy Notice, maintained by UCPE, describes our policies on the collection, processing, use, disclosure, and storage of information about our constituents, including information connected with recruitment and admissions activities. When you submit an application through the University’s current student portal, or otherwise provide us with information or use our website and other services, your information will be handled as described in this Privacy Notice.

Our postal address is:

The University of Chicago Professional Education
455 N Cityfront Plaza Dr.
Suite 950
Chicago, IL 60611

Definitions

Where we refer in this Privacy Notice to your “personal information”, we mean any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.

Where we refer to the “processing” of your personal information, we mean anything that we do with that information, including collection, use, storage, disclosure, retention, or deletion.

Personal Information

The categories of personal information that we collect about you include the following:

Information we collect directly from you. We collect certain information that you provide directly to us, such as when you use a contact form to submit feedback or inquiries or when you contact us by email. For example, this may include names; contact information such as email addresses; any comments, questions, or other communications you send us; content you submit or post to University websites, forums or message boards; payment card information when you submit payments to the University (e.g., in connection with an application fee); and other information you provide directly to us.

Information we collect automatically when you use our sites. When you visit our websites, we automatically collect certain information from you over time and across different websites, including through the use of “cookies”, which are small files that websites save on your device and access when you return. For example, we may collect technical data from your computer or mobile device (such as your IP address, browser type, and operating system), information about your usage of our websites (e.g., the pages you visit when using the websites, any search terms you enter on the websites, how often you use the websites, and the pages you access before and after accessing the websites), and information that we generate about you as a result of your use of our websites (e.g., our understanding of your interests as a result of your use of our websites and whether you are a regular or occasional user of our websites). Please see the “Cookies” section below for more information about our use of cookies.

University Use and Processing of Information

UCPE uses information that you provide to us and information we collect about you to provide services and support, including administration of your application (e.g., admission and financial aid processing) or provision of advising and support services to current students, postdoctoral scholars, and alumni. In addition, we, along with other offices within the University, may process information about constituents in furtherance of other legitimate interests, such as (i) to analyze and improve our processes, (ii) for outreach efforts, (iii) to conduct general research, (iv) to fulfill other University responsibilities or purposes, (v) to comply with our legal obligations, or (vi) where you have provided your express consent. Where we have sought, and you have provided, your express consent for a particular purpose, please note that you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by notifying us at the contact information above.

Online Payments

Where we collect credit card information, we may share that information with payment processors and other parties to facilitate and collect such payment.

Cookies

Our website uses a feature of your browser and other similar technologies to set a “cookie” on your computer. We cannot tell your name or any personal information about you based solely on the cookie. Unless you specifically tell us your name and other identifying information, we will not know who you are. Cookies and similar technologies tell us what functions you perform when you are on a particular site so that we can keep track of your transaction or pending application. A cookie also helps us note particular traffic patterns on the site which can help inform improvements and changes to the site and its content.

Managing Cookies

Cookies can be managed through browser settings. To learn more, refer to the support instructions for each browser (Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Internet Explorer). Be aware that disabling or deleting cookies can impact your ability to use certain features of that website. If disabling or deleting cookies, repeat this process for each browser and computer used. Note that cookies used by Adobe Flash cannot be controlled by browser settings.

Third Parties

We may disclose your information to third parties as follows:

Service Providers. We may use third parties to support our operations. In such cases, we may share your information with such third parties.

University Affiliated Programs. We may share your information with third parties that are affiliated with the University of Chicago for the purpose of contacting you about opportunities that may be of interest to you.

Research and Studies. We may share your information with third parties that study admissions or other topics related to higher education. We may also share your information with third parties that conduct research or develop products or services designed to improve admissions or other higher education functions.

Required by Law. We may share your information with third parties to the extent we are required to do so by law, court order, or subpoena.

Emergency Circumstances. We may share your information with third parties if, in our sole judgment, such disclosure is necessary to protect the health, safety, or property of any person.

Compelling Purpose. We may share your information in other cases when there is a compelling purpose regarding benefit to the University or members of our community.

Consent. We may seek your consent to disclose your information to third parties if we are required to do so. Where we have sought, and you have provided, your express consent for a particular purpose, please note that you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by notifying us at the contact information above.

De-Identified and Aggregate Information. We may use and disclose information about our applicants in de-identified or aggregate form without limitation.

International Transfers. We may transfer your information to University affiliates or third parties located in other countries. These transfers are made subject to appropriate technical safeguards and contractual provisions to ensure the security of your information.

Volunteers. We may share your information with University volunteers in connection with volunteer opportunities. In such cases, we may share your information with such third parties.  Please see the Policy on Volunteer Service for more information on expectations of volunteers with respect to sensitive and confidential information.

Security

We seek to implement appropriate security measures to protect your information when you transmit it to us and when we store it on our systems. Unfortunately, no data transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. Please see the University of Chicago Information Security Office website for more information on our information security practices.

Data Retention

Your information will be retained as provided in the University’s record retention policy.

Individual Rights

Various jurisdictions grant individuals rights regarding their data, including: (i) the right to request access to your information held by the University; (ii) the right to have inaccurate or incomplete personal data rectified; (iii) the right to erasure of your information, provided there is no legitimate reason for the University to continue to process or retain the information; (iv) the right to restrict processing of your information in specific situations; (v) the right to request provision of some elements of your information; (vi) the right to object to processing of your information, including to send you communications that may be considered direct-marketing materials; and (vii) the right to object to automated decision-making or profiling, where applicable. All requests to exercise any of the rights described above should be made to the appropriate contact listed above.

While we encourage you to bring your concerns to us in the first instance, in certain jurisdictions, you may also have the right to submit a complaint to the jurisdiction’s supervisory authority for data protection matters.

Updates to this Notice

Changes may be made to this Privacy Notice and personal information may be used for new purposes. When significant changes are made to our privacy practices, they will be disclosed here.

Last update: 3/3/23


Partnership Policies

UCPE delivers some programs in partnership with the following companies. Please review their privacy policies. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact:

Jarvis Purnell

Jarvis Purnell

Director of Student Affairs (Interim)

Meet Jarvis K. Purnell, a higher education professional who fosters student success. With over a decade of experience in student affairs, Jarvis has a proven track record of creating inclusive and engaging campus communities that promote academic achievement, personal growth, and leadership...

Learn more about Jarvis