Privacy Policy The Materials Exchange Web site operated by the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) values the trust and the relationship it has built with Minnesota business and organizations. It is the policy of MnTAP to respect and protect the privacy of its clients and Web site visitors to the extent permitted by law. This policy outlines how MnTAP collects and uses information about our clients. MnTAP collects and stores the following information from online users: • The name of the domain from which Internet access occurred • The date and time the site was accessed • The pages perused and files accessed • Internet protocol addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information. We use IP addresses to analyze trends, administer the site, track user's movement, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. MnTAP does not track individually identifiable habits, but rather general trends and use. This information is stored only as a log file for review to improve the value of MnTAP resources for its readers. Online Privacy This online privacy statement is intended to inform you of the ways in which this Web site collects information, the uses to which that information will be put, and the ways in which we will protect any information you choose to provide us. Network Traffic Logs In the course of ensuring network security and consistent service for all users, MnTAP, through the University of Minnesota, employs software programs to do such things as monitor network traffic, identify unauthorized access or access to nonpublic information, detect computer viruses and other software that might damage University computers or the network, and monitor and tune the performance of the University network. In the course of such monitoring, these programs may detect such information as e-mail headers, addresses from network packets, and other information. Information from these activities is used only for the purpose of maintaining the security and performance of the University's networks and computer systems. Personally identifiable information from these activities is not released to external parties without your consent unless required by law. Web Visit Logs MnTAP's Web site host routinely collects and stores information from online visitors to help manage our sites and improve service. This information includes the pages visited on the site, the date and time of the visit, the internet address (URL or IP address) of the referring site, the domain name and IP address from which the access occurred, the version of browser used and the capabilities of the browser. This site makes no attempt to identify individual visitors from this information: any personally identifiable information is not released to external parties without your consent unless required by law. Cookies Cookies are pieces of information stored by your Web browser on behalf of a Web site and returned to the Web site on request. This site may use cookies for two purposes: to carry data about your current session at the site from one Web page to the next, and to identify you to the site between visits. If you prefer not to receive cookies, you may turn them off in your browser, or may set your browser to ask you before accepting a new cookie. Some pages may not function properly if the cookies are turned off. Unless otherwise notified on this site, we will not store data, other than for these two purposes, in cookies. Cookies remain on your computer, and accordingly we neither store cookies on our computers nor forward them to any external parties. Unless otherwise notified on this site, we do not use cookies to track your movement among different Web sites and do not exchange cookies with other entities. Data Security We use appropriate safeguards to ensure the security, integrity, and privacy of personally identifiable information submitted to our site and periodically update measures with new technologies. When appropriate for data security, MnTAP uses encryption technologies, user authentication systems, and access control mechanisms. Personal/Private information If you provide us with personal or private information in an e-mail message or via an online form, MnTAP will use this information to respond to your request. Your e-mail may be forwarded within MnTAP to employees who are better able to assist you. Information gathered may be stored in MnTAP's secure database and used for future MnTAP outreach. MnTAP provides contact information about MnTAP clients to a limited number of pre-screened environmental assistance providers so clients can be made aware of their services. These environmental assistance providers have been deemed by the MnTAP to provide a significant service or benefit to our clients. By agreement, such partners may not release or sell this secured information. Except for the foregoing circumstances and as required by law, MnTAP does not rent, sell, or share any information it collects with outside organizations without your permission. See MnTAP's Confidentiality Statement for treatment of information that is "CONFIDENTIAL" or "PROPRIETARY." Links to outside Web sites This Web site contains links to other Web sites. Please be aware that MnTAP is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site to read the privacy statements of each Web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Web site. Additional information on U of M security measures If you have questions about general University of Minnesota security measures see the University policy, Collecting Information from Visitors to University Web Sites. Contact MnTAP If you have questions about this policy, contact the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program at 800/247-0015, 612/624-1300, or e-mail MnTAP and include the words "privacy policy" in the subject of your message. Effective December 2002