SMS Texting Information

SMS Texting Terms & Conditions

The Ohio State University uses SMS to send text messages about various university programs.  Please review our SMS Texting Terms and Conditions to learn more about SMS text messaging.  The Ohio State University reserves the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time.  Your continued use of this text messaging communication will constitute your acceptance of the new terms.
 

Opt In

You may opt into text messages on one of our websites which will include a one-time text message as well as two-way texting or chatting.  After you opt in on the website, you will have an opportunity to confirm or decline your participation in the Program via a reply to an initial text message you receive from The Ohio State University.  By replying YES to this text message, you are confirming a subscription to the Program.


Emergency Text Messages

The university sends you emergency text messages when you need to take immediate action to stay safe. These are called Buckeye Alerts. Reply stop to opt out of these messages.

The university also sends text messages to issue timely information that you need to know for your health and safety. These are called Ohio State News Alerts. Reply stop to opt out of receiving these messages.
 

Messaging Costs

The Ohio State University does not charge for this Program, however, message and data rates may apply from your mobile carrier. When you opt in to receive text messages, you are responsible for any carrier fees such as data plan charges, text messaging charges, tolls, out-of-area roaming, and other charges. Messaging frequency will vary.
 

Carriers

Note that SMS communications from The Ohio State University may not be available through all mobile carriers.
 

Opt Out

Reply stop to the text message you received to stop receiving text messages from the Program.  By enrolling in the Program, you consent that following such a request to unsubscribe, you will receive one final message from the Program confirming that you have stopped text messages from the Program and will receive no further text messages unless you provide consent to this area.  Or send email to privacy@osu.edu to opt out. 
 

Privacy Statement

The Ohio State University values the privacy of everyone who visits, works, supports, and learns at Ohio State.  Our Privacy Statement and Principles, available at go.osu.edu/privacy, explains how we collect, use, and share your personal information.  The Ohio State University will not ask you for, nor should you provide, personal information, passwords, or any other confidential or sensitive information in text messages.  

 

Help

Email privacy@osu.edu or text HELP for more information.

 

Automatic Telephone Dialing Systems

The Ohio State University may use an automatic dialing system to deliver text messages to you.  The Federal Communications Commission generally defines an “automatic telephone dialing system” or autodialer as equipment that has the capacity to store or produce telephone numbers to be called and to call such numbers. By your subscription to the Program, you give your consent to The Ohio State University to use an automatic dialing system to deliver text messages to the telephone or cell phone number to which you have directed The Ohio State University to auto transmit text messages.

Please note that text messages may be delayed. The Ohio State University may terminate this program at any time without notice.

 


 

Do-Not-Call Procedure

The Ohio State University may contact you by phone in order to inform you about upcoming events, announcements, deadlines, important admission and financial aid reminders. We may also contact you for servicing purposes, or other marketing purposes, such as soliciting donations for fundraising.  The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and related Federal Communications Commission regulations protect you from unsolicited phone calls by placing restrictions on telemarketing, pre-recorded, and auto-dialed calls.

 

When does Ohio State Collect your Phone Number?

At Ohio State, we ask for your name, phone number and other personal information depending on what you are doing.  If you sign up for an event at Ohio State, we might ask whether you are a student or alum. If you fill out a form, it should be obvious why we are collecting the information on the form.

 

How does Ohio State use your phone number?

We use your personal information and phone number when we have a valid reason. Sometimes, we ask your permission to use your phone number, like when you sign up for an event. If we use it in a way that you would reasonably expect, we don’t ask your permission, but only when:

 

Can I opt out?

Ohio State has established and implemented written procedures to honor your right to be added to our university Do-Not-Call list for marketing purposes.  If you do not wish to receive messages by phone from us, you can ask us to place your telephone number on our internal Do-Not-Call list.

Your request can be verbal or through another method like email or chat. If you send an email to bioupdate@osu.edu, a help desk ticket will be created for us to review your request. If your phone number ever changes, you must give us your new information for your Do-Not-Call status to remain on the list. Once we receive your request, we will add a “no solicit via phone” code to your record in our database. Please allow up to 31 days for your phone number to be removed from marketing calls that are currently underway. Once you are on our internal list, we may still contact you, for other university purposes. Some examples include announcements related to advising, campus safety, and emergencies.

 

Can I opt-out of other entities’ marketing calls?

You can also make a Do-Not-Call request to the National Do-Not-Call Registry page maintained by the Federal Trade Commission and relevant state-agency lists.

 

Resources

For details about registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, please visit the National Do-Not-Call Registry page or call 888-382-1222 using the phone you wish to register. If you register online, you must follow the link in the confirmation email that will be sent to you in order to complete the process.

Additional reference materials include:

 


 

Date: August 18, 2021

Ohio State Privacy Team
privacy@osu.edu