Information Collected and How It's Used

Privacy Notice

Thank you for visiting the Renton Technical College website and reviewing our Privacy Notice. This page addresses collection, use and security of and access to information that may be obtained through use of the RTC website. Our Privacy Notice covers the following topics:

Information Collected if You Browse www.RTC.edu

If you do nothing during your visit to our website other than browse, read pages, or download or print information, Renton Technical College [RTC] gathers and stores certain information about your visit. The information gathered does not identify you personally. RTC automatically collect and store the following information when browsing the site:

  • The Internet Protocol (IP) Address and domain name used. The IP Address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. IP addresses are used to direct Internet information between computing systems. 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, operating system and screen resolution used on your computer.
  • The date and time you visited this site.
  • The web pages or services you accessed at this site.
  • The website you visited prior to coming to this website (referring sites or links).

The information automatically collected or temporarily stored by the college is used anonymously to monitor bandwidth use (performance) of servers and website traffic trends and patterns. The college analyzes this information to determine how visitors are using our web-based content and services so RTC may continually improve the site's usefulness to the public.

Online Advertising

RTC uses third-party vendors to retarget visitors to our site with relevant ads across the internet. This is done through cookies, small files sent to your browser from a web service to be stored on your computer. This cookie does not in any way identify you or give anyone access to your computer. You can opt out of any third-party vendor's use of cookies by visiting www.networkadvertising.org/choices/

Information Collected 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 an email if sent to anyone with a Renton Technical College email address.
  • Any information you volunteer in response to a survey.
  • Any information you volunteer 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.

RTC uses your email address 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 to another agency for appropriate action. Survey information is used for improving the college systems or any outside services that the college offers. Information from other online forms is used to enable college processes and services.

Personal Information and Choice

“Personal information” is defined as information about a person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information may include an individual's name, address, and phone number. A domain name or IP address is not considered personal information.

The college does not collect 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 Renton Technical College’s website and read or download any information provided on the site.

If personal information is requested on the website 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.

Renton Technical College is a general audience site and RTC does 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.

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 the Public Records Act 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 RCW 42.56.210 and 42.56.320, an agency shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with RCW 42.56.210 and RCW 42.56.320 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.

The complete Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is available at: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/

Nondisclosure of Certain Personal Information

The following laws and regulations may prevent Renton Technical College from disclosing the personal information about you except for directory information. Only directory information can be released without student's authorization. Students must sign a release in order to have any other information disclosed or to withhold all information. Education information may be released to other institutions that have requested the records and in which the student seeks or intends to enroll. Information may be released to a third party without student's consent if an emergency situation exists or if information is requested officially by means of a subpoena, court order or legal report. Additionally, Congress requires student information to be released to military recruiters if officially requested. Directory information may include student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major fields of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, and other similar information.

  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) Section 438, Public Law 90-247 Title IV, as amended, 88 Stat 571-574 (20 USC 1232g) otherwise known as the Buckley Amendment Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
  • RCW 42.17.310 (a) and (ss) exempts the following from public inspection and copying: (a) Personal information in any files maintained for students in public schools, patients or clients of public institutions or public health agencies, or welfare recipients; (ss) Credit card numbers, debit card numbers, electronic check numbers, card expiration dates, or bank or other financial account numbers supplied to an agency for the purpose of electronic transfer of funds, except when disclosure is expressly required by law.

You may be required to provide certain personal information when you use the Web- enabled applications that are described below.

Admissions Application Online

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to apply online to the college. The information is required in order to verify your identity. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it RTC will be unable to provide you with this service over the Web, and you will have to apply in person or via the mail with paper application form.

The online version of the admissions application requires you provide your full name, email address, username, password, birth date, and program of study. You may also choose to provide optional details such as purpose of attending. You may update any of this information at any time by logging in to your personal profile (account).

Note: Existing laws and regulations may prevent Renton Technical College from disclosing personal information about you.

Requesting Information via the Website

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information when inquiring about program, admissions, or college information when requesting this using the RTC website. You may choose not to provide this information and alternatively phone the college directly at 425-235-2352 for information or come to the Enrollment Services Counter (@ Roberts Campus Center) in person.

Requesting Personalized Information via the Website

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information when signing up to receive personalized information using the “Get Started” website. You may choose not to provide this information, but RTC will be unable to provide you this service.

View/Verify Records Block

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to view blocks on your record via the Web. Providing this personal information is required in order for the college to verify your identity. You may choose not to provide this information, however if you do not, RTC is unable to provide this service via the web. Alternatively, you may request this information in person or by phone.

Credit Card Payments

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to make credit card payments over the web. The information is required in order to verify your identity and to verify your credit card number and expiration date. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it RTC will be unable to apply tuition and fee payment over the web and you will have to make credit card payments in person, by phone or by mail.

Degree Audit

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to perform a degree audit of your records using the online degree audit website application. Personal information is required in order to verify your identity. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it RTC will be unable to display a degree audit of your records over the web, and you will have to request a degree audit in person.

Donations

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to donate money over the web. The information is required in order to verify your identity and to verify your credit card number and expiration date. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it RTC will be unable to donate over the web. Alternatively, you can donate in person, over the phone or by mail.

Retrieving Tax Information / Hope and Lifetime Learning Tax Credit

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to allow you to view and copy course enrollment and payment information. The information is required in order to provide you with the tax information needed for compliance with the Internal Revenue Service reporting requirements for the Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it, RTC will be unable to display your enrollment and payment information and you will have to obtain a copy of your enrollment and payment records either in person or by mail.

Registration

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to register for classes over the web. The information is required in order to verify your identity. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it you will be unable to register for classes over the web, and you will have to register for classes in person.

Registration Appointment

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to obtain your registration appointment information over the Web. The information is required in order to verify your identity. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it RTC will be unable to display your registration appointment information over the Web, and you will have to obtain your registration appointment in person.

Student Address Change

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to change your address over the web. The information is required in order to verify your identity. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it RTC will be unable to change your address over the Web, and you will have to change your address in person.

Student PIN Change

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to change your personal identification number over the web. The information is required in order to verify your identity. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it RTC will be unable to change your PIN over the Web, and you will have to change your PIN in person.

Student Schedule

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to view your quarterly schedule. The information is required in order to verify you identity. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it RTC will be unable to display your quarterly schedule over the Web, and you will have to obtain a copy of your quarterly schedule in person.

Unofficial Transcript

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to view your unofficial transcript over the Web. This information is required in order for the college to verify your identity. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it RTC will be unable to display your unofficial transcript over the Web, and you will have to view your unofficial transcript in person or receive it through the mail.

Student ID (SID) Number Lookup

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to lookup your Student ID Number over the web. The information is required in order to verify your identity. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it you will be unable to lookup your Student ID Number over the web and you will have to request it in person.

Campus Emergency Alert System (Alertus)

Renton Technical College may require you to provide certain personal information in order to subscribe to receive message alerts to your personal devices whenever there is a campus emergency or unplanned closure. The information is required in order to verify your personal device/identity. If you choose not to provide this information via the web RTC will be unable to send alerts to your personal devices during campus emergency situations. Emergency information will still be available to you via your student email account; or if you choose to visit the Renton Technical College website or call (425) 235-2352 to get information about a college emergency or unplanned closure.

Security

Renton Technical College, as developer and manager of the RTC website, has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access to information maintained by Renton Technical College. 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 Renton Technical College’s websites.

Disclaimer

The RTC website contains many links to other websites. These include links to websites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. When you follow links to other sites and leave our website, information contained in this Privacy Notice no longer applies. When you transfer to another website, you are subject to the privacy policy of that new site.

Reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the State of Washington, Renton Technical College, or its officers, employees or agents.

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 its own risk. Under no circumstances shall RTC be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of or inability to use this site. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, include without limitation compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of date, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties.

Renton Technical College reserves the right to in its discretion, to change or modify all or any part of these terms and conditions at any time, effective immediately upon notice published on this website.