University of Illinois System Website Permanent Cookie and Advertising Disclosure Statement
The University of Illinois System website (i.e. websites in the domain “uillinois.edu”) utilizes tracking technologies through the use of permanent cookies and web beacons/pixel tags. This disclosure statement provides information about what is being tracked, how it benefits you, and how to opt out. Please note that this permanent cookie use can result in you receiving online University of Illinois System advertising and promotional materials.
Google Analytics Cookies
Google Analytics, a web analysis service provided by Google, Inc., is in use on the University of Illinois System website. This technology places "cookies" on user computers that allow us to gather general statistics regarding how our website is used. For example, if we know what browsers and screen resolution our users have, we are better able to design webpages that suit our users. Also, if we see that few people use a particular link or page, then we can remove it from our site. The statistics we gather are aggregate. We do not retain any specific information about a particular user.
Google Analytics Opt-Out
Visitors who wish to opt out from Google Analytics tracking may do so by installing the opt-out add-on for their browser, available from Google here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
Please note that this process only applies to Google Analytics. Please see below for information on a different process if you wish to opt out of University of Illinois System online advertising and the permanent cookies associated with such advertising.
What is being collected via Google Analytics?
The data collected is general service/site usage and statistical information.
No user-identifiable data is collected. IP addresses, if collected, are anonymized. For more information about IP Anonymization in Google Analytics, see https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/2763052.
Examples of data collected include:
- number of sessions, visitors, views
- server response times for page loads and actions
- location and language information
- client information (OS, browser, device)
- referral sources
How will this Google Analytics information be used and how will it benefit me as a customer/visitor?
The University of Illinois System may use the information collected via Google Analytics for the following purposes:
- to monitor performance of the service
- to identify and correct poorly performing service elements and bottlenecks
- to support continuous improvement of the service offering
- to gather and report metrics to system leaders
- to identify popular and unpopular resources
- to improve user experience in terms of navigation, layout, and features
U of I System Advertising and the Use of Pixel Tags
The University of Illinois System also uses "pixel tags" (also called "web beacons" or "clear gifs"), which are tiny graphic images, on our websites. Pixel tags help us analyze our users’ online behavior and measure the effectiveness of our websites and our advertising. We work with service providers that help us track, collect, and analyze this information. Pixel tags on our sites may be used to collect information about your visit, including the pages you view, the features you use, the links you click, and other actions you take in connection with the sites. This information may include your computer's Internet protocol (IP) address, your browser type, your operating system, date and time information, and other technical information about your computer. We may also track certain information about the identity of the website you visited immediately before coming to our site. We do not otherwise track any information about your use of other websites.
Extent of Use
We may combine the information we collect through cookies and pixel tags with other information we have collected from and about you. This information may be used to your benefit in ways not otherwise available by improving our websites, personalizing your online experience, and tailoring our communications with you, as well as to determine the effectiveness of our advertising and promotional materials, and for other internal business purposes. There are no other uses of the information collected by the University of Illinois System through such cookies and pixel tags beyond this.
Online Advertising Opt-Out Process
To opt out of targeted online University of Illinois System advertising and promotional materials that utilize our permanent cookies and web beacons/pixel tags, please click on ad opt-out. Please note that following this opt-out process only applies to the computer or electronic device you are currently using. If you use another device or delete your web browser's cookies, you will need to follow the opt-out process again. We may also use the services of third parties to collect and use anonymous information about your visits to, and interactions with, our website through the use of technologies such as cookies to personalize advertisements and promotional materials for U of I goods and services. To learn more visit the Network Advertising Initiative at www.networkadvertising.org/choices.
Additional Information
For more information about web privacy, please see the University of Illinois Web Privacy Notice at http://go.uillinois.edu/webprivacy, including its sections on cookies and advertising. If you have additional questions about this site, please contact infosource@uillinois.edu.