Privacy at CSM

Data Privacy Notice

Last Edited: April 1, 2026

At the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), we are deeply committed to protecting the privacy and security of our students, employees, and community members.

We recognize the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) as part of our mission to provide a safe and supportive educational environment. This Privacy Statement outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, and protection of your information, ensuring that your privacy rights are respected and upheld.

We believe that transparency is vital, and we aim to build trust by clearly communicating how we handle your personal information. By choosing to engage with CSM, you can be assured that we prioritize your privacy and take every necessary measure to safeguard your information while complying with applicable laws and regulations.

Purpose of Data Collection:

CSM may collect PII to fulfill our mission of providing quality education and services to our students, employees, and community members. Your personal and sensitive data are collected and processed for specific, lawful purposes, including but not limited to:

• Providing educational programs and related services
• Managing student and employee records
• Administering financial aid, scholarships, and payments
• Ensuring campus safety and compliance with legal requirements
• Conducting institutional research and analytics
• Supporting students through accommodations and required services

Types of Information Collected: 

At the College of Southern Maryland, we may collect a variety of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) essential for our operational and academic functions. This information may include, but is not limited to:

• Personal Information: Such as your full name, date of birth, and contact details including mailing address, email address, and phone number.
• Academic Records: Information related to your enrollment status, courses taken, grades, academic performance, and transcripts.
• Financial Information: Data necessary for managing student accounts, including tuition, fees, financial aid, payment information, and scholarship records.
• Identification Numbers: Unique identifiers such as Social Security numbers, student identification numbers, and other government-issued identification numbers.
• Health Information: If applicable, information relating to your health status or disability that may be necessary for accommodation or support services.
• Online Activity Information: Data related to your use of CSM’s online platforms, including browsing history, interaction with applications, geolocation data, and preferences.

We are committed to the principle of data minimization, meaning that we only collect PII that is directly relevant and necessary to achieve specific legitimate purposes, such as enhancing educational services, complying with legal requirements, and ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. Understanding the types of information collected enables us to serve you better while ensuring your privacy is respected and protected.

Use and Disclosure of Your Information:

CSM utilizes your PII solely for the purposes for which it was collected, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, including FERPA and HIPAA. CSM does not sell your personal or sensitive data. Your information may only be shared with the following categories of third parties when necessary and as allowed by law:

• Service Providers: Vendors supporting IT, payment processing, or communication services under contract with CSM
• Regulatory and Accrediting Agencies: As required by law, including FERPA and HIPAA obligations
• Research Partners: For academic research, with appropriate privacy safeguards
• Government Agencies: Where required by law or valid legal requests

Data Protection Measures:

CSM employs administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your PII from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This includes data minimization practices and retention policies to ensure that your information remains confidential.

Your Privacy Rights:

As a member of the College of Southern Maryland community, you have specific rights regarding your Personally Identifiable Information (PII). These rights include:

• Access: You have the right to request access to your PII that CSM maintains. You may review this information to ensure its accuracy and relevance.
• Correction: If you identify any inaccuracies in your PII, you have the right to request corrections to ensure that your records are up-to-date and accurate.
• Deletion: You have the right to request your PII to be deleted.

• Limited Disclosure: You have the right to know how your PII will be used and disclosed. Any sharing of your information will be done in accordance with relevant privacy practices and only with authorized personnel who require it for legitimate purposes. You have the right to request information on the sharing of your PII and to request to opt out of the sharing of PII with a third party.
• Protection: You have the right to expect that your PII is protected through appropriate security measures and handled with care to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.

• Notification of Breach: In the event of a data breach that affects your PII, you will be notified about the information involved and the steps taken to address the situation.

For further inquiries about these rights or to initiate a request concerning your PII, please contact privacy@csmd.edu.

Changes to This Policy:

If there are material changes to our data practices or this Privacy Notice, we will notify you by posting an updated notice on the CSM website.

Please review this notice regularly. The date at the top reflects the latest revision.

Breach Notification:

In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, CSM will notify you and provide details about the nature of the breach and the steps being taken, as required by law.

Last Updated: April 1, 2026

Contact Information: privacy@csmd.edu