Blackstone Career Institute recognizes the importance of protecting the privacy of our students and visitors to Blackstone.edu. By viewing and utilizing this site, you are accepting Blackstone’s Privacy Policy, along with the collection and use of information.

Described below, our privacy policy explains what information may be collected, how this information may be used, appropriate disclosure of the information, as well as your rights regarding any review, correction, or deletion.

Rights to the User

  • Right to be informed
  • Right of access
  • Right of rectification
  • Right to erasure
  • Right to restrict data processing
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to object
  • Rights of automated decision-making and profiling

Collection of Information

Our site has the ability to collect two types of information, general and personal. General information contains non-personal data from visitors to our website. This information is used for general purposes only and in ways that do not identify the individual user. This information may include statistical data such as location, time of visit, the day the visit was made, and the visit path.

The second type of information collected is specific to the visitor and would include information provided by the user. This information would include your e-mail address, name, street address, and any contact information provided.

Blackstone uses technology called “cookies” to collect much of the information described above. Our cookies do not access, collect, or reveal any personal information stored on your personal computer. Disabling your Internet Browser to prevent cookies will prevent your ability to function on our website.

Blackstone may be required to collect additional information from students using government or military funding (MyCAA, GI Bill, etc.), including their VA file number and/or social security number.

If you are an international student or using our site from outside the United States, Blackstone would like to make you aware that you are sending your information to the United States where our servers are located locally. This information may be transferred within the United States, or to other countries outside your country where you reside. It is possible that these countries, which would include the United States, may not have laws for data protection that are as compendious or protective as the laws in your country of residence. However, Blackstone’s collection of data and the storage of it will be supervised by this Privacy Policy.

Examples of Information Collected

Identity information – name, contact details (address, phone, etc.), account details (username/password)

Financial information – credit or debit card information

Demographic information – age, gender, education level, etc.

Student Educational Records – proof of prior education verification, exam and assignment submissions, grade information

Information for government or military-funded programs – social security and/or VA file number, eligibility or approval documentation from the program

Use of Information

The collection of information is used primarily for the improvement of services to our students. Information you provide voluntarily through our online request forms and enrollment agreements will be used to process those requests. E-mail inquiries will utilize the e-mail address provided for any appropriate correspondence.

The people who have access to student and prospective student information are Blackstone Career Institute authorized employees.

As a privately licensed school in the state of Pennsylvania, Blackstone is required through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to retain graduated student information for a minimum of 50 years. All student records are stored based on accepted business practices, educational licensure and accreditation requirements, and applicable state and federal laws.

Privacy Pledge

On occasion, Blackstone will make our list of contact and student directory information available to reputable business and academic associates. If you wish to be excluded simply notify B.C.I., Student Services at:

Blackstone Career Institute
Attn: Student Services
P.O. Box 3717
Allentown, PA 18106-3717

Email: info@blackstone.edu
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm EST.

Informational Access

Maintaining our system with complete, current, and accurate information allows Blackstone to provide our students with exceptional service. Students are asked to keep in contact with Blackstone to ensure their information remains relevant. All personal information provided by you can be viewed upon request, with the availability of corrections and/or deletion of incorrect information. Individuals who provide their information to Blackstone who are not enrolled with the school can request to have their information deleted from the database.

Security

Blackstone currently utilizes GoDaddy.com, Inc. to provide secure transmission of all enrollment agreement activities including online payment information. We also use established industry-standard security measures to protect all information services. While we strive to provide 100% security for all transmissions, we cannot guarantee that all general information submissions will be completely secure. Unauthorized modification or misuse of information stored within our website or operating systems will be investigated and may result in criminal prosecution.

BCI utilizes Authnet’s CIM system to secure credit card data and no customer financial data is stored online or in our internal servers.

BCI ensures the instructional technology is up-to-date, reliable, and is properly maintained through the constant monitoring of delivery software and hardware and by using an Amazon web server and WP Engine to host its web properties. These companies use the latest technology and provide consistent updates to ensure security and reliability. BCI continually reviews new and emerging technologies for possible implementation.

Blackstone’s student database has several features to ensure the accuracy of student record-keeping. All staff members are assigned unique individual login codes which help management track which staff members have made changes in the database. Individual staff members’ ability to perform certain functions is limited by their authorization status, with management having ultimate control over all functions. Management has the ability to review student electronic records to ensure that their accuracy is being maintained. Electronic records are backed up digitally and are encrypted using the latest encryption technology. A copy of the backup is stored off-site.

BCI uses the following procedures for ensuring security, maintenance, and protection of student records:

  • Applicants for employment are interviewed and screened not only for their qualifications and ability to perform the functions of the position, but also for character and personality traits that indicate the applicant is honest and ethical.
  • Staff are required to adhere to all policies, including FERPA requirements.
  • Student Service staff are required to verify the student’s identity prior to releasing personal or sensitive information.
  • All physical documents are kept in locked file cabinets, under fire suppression, or shredded if necessary.

Google

Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on our site. Google’s use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to our users based on their visit to our site and other sites on the Internet. Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy. We have implemented the following:

  • Remarketing with Google Analytics/Google AdWords
  • Google Display Network Impression Reporting
  • Demographics and Interests Reporting

We along with third-party vendors, such as Google use first-party cookies (such as the Google Analytics cookies) and third-party cookies (such as the DoubleClick cookie) or other third-party identifiers together to compile data regarding user interactions with ad impressions, and other ad service functions as they relate to our website.

Opting Out

Users can set preferences for how Google advertises to you using the Google Ad Settings page.

Data Protection Officer (DPO)

Blackstone has a Data Protection Officer (DPO) who is responsible for matters relating to privacy and data collection. The DPO can be reached out the following address:

Blackstone Career Institute
1011 Brookside Road, Suite 300
Allentown, PA 18106