Privacy
HBS privacy policy
What Highlands Biological Station collects when you use our website and forms, why we collect it, and the choices you have.
Last updated [date]
Who we are
Highlands Biological Station (HBS) is a research and education center of Western Carolina University. In this policy, “we” and “us” mean HBS. It covers this website and the forms on it: lodging stay requests, summer course registration, maintenance requests, and our emergency alert program.
What we collect
- Lodging requests: your name, email, phone number, arrival and departure dates, group size, the purpose of your visit, and any notes you add.
- Course registrations: your name, email, phone number, mailing address, the course you choose, and any details you give us about accessibility, dietary needs or lodging.
- Maintenance requests: your name, email, the location and a description of the problem, and a photo if you attach one.
- Emergency alerts: your mobile number and your choice to receive texts, and the date you made it.
- Website use: basic technical information such as your browser, device, pages visited and approximate location, gathered through cookies and similar tools.
We do not collect more than we need, and we do not ask for payment card numbers on our forms.
How we use it
- To answer requests, confirm stays and registrations, assign housing, and keep in touch about your visit.
- To fix reported problems and tell you when the work is done.
- To send safety and emergency alerts by email and, if you agreed, by text message.
- To keep records, prepare reports for the station and the university, and improve our programs and website.
Text messages
We text you only if you ticked the emergency alerts box or asked the HBS office to add you. We use your number for alerts and occasional tests, and for nothing else. No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text-message opt-in data and consent are not shared with anyone. Reply STOP at any time to opt out. See the text alert terms.
Payments
Course fees and other payments are taken on the university’s secure payment site, not on this website. HBS does not see or store your card number.
Who we share it with
We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with:
- HBS staff and Western Carolina University offices that need it to run your stay or course.
- Service providers that help us run the site, send email or deliver text messages, who may use the information only to do that work for us.
- Others when the law requires it, or when needed to protect the safety of people at the Station.
As a university program, some records may be public records under North Carolina law.
How long we keep it
We keep information as long as we need it for the purposes above and as the university’s records schedule requires, then delete it or remove what identifies you.
Security
We use reasonable measures to protect your information, including limiting who can see it. No website or message service is completely secure, so we cannot promise absolute security.
Cookies
This site uses cookies and similar tools to work properly and to understand how visitors use it. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the site may not work as well without them.
Your choices
You may ask to see, correct or delete the personal information we hold about you, or to stop emails or texts, by writing to us or calling 828-526-2602. Some records we must keep by law. Reply STOP to any text to opt out of texts right away.
Children
Our forms are meant for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Changes and questions
We may update this policy and will change the date above when we do. Questions? Email us or call 828-526-2602.