Privacy Policy

GD College respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information of our prospective students, applicants, current students, graduates, models, clients and website visitors.

This Privacy Policy explains how GD College collects, uses, stores and discloses personal information.

GD College handles personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws, including Alberta's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

1. Information We Collect

GD College may collect personal information when you contact us, visit our website, book a tour, complete an application or registration form, enrol in a program, participate as a student or model, or otherwise interact with the College.

Information we may collect includes:

• ✓ Full name
• ✓ Date of birth
• ✓ Mailing address
• ✓ Email address
• ✓ Telephone number
• ✓ Emergency contact information
• ✓ Identification documents
• ✓ Educational history and academic documents
• ✓ Transcripts, diplomas and credential assessments
• ✓ English language proficiency documents where required
• ✓ Program and enrolment information
• ✓ Student interview information
• ✓ Attendance and academic progress
• ✓ Grades, examinations, assignments and practical assessments
• ✓ Tuition, payment and funding information
• ✓ Communications with GD College
• ✓ Photographs or videos where appropriate consent has been provided
• ✓ Information submitted through our website or online forms
• ✓ Website and device information, such as IP address, browser type and website activity

Where necessary for a student service or practical treatment, GD College may also collect relevant information from models or clients through consent, consultation or service forms.

2. How We Use Personal Information

GD College may use personal information to:

• ✓ Respond to inquiries about our programs
• ✓ Schedule tours, consultations and appointments
• ✓ Process applications and registrations
• ✓ Determine admission eligibility
• ✓ Create and maintain student records
• ✓ Administer enrolment contracts
• ✓ Deliver educational programs and student services
• ✓ Monitor attendance and academic progress
• ✓ Administer quizzes, examinations and practical assessments
• ✓ Process tuition payments and payment plans
• ✓ Assist with student funding administration where applicable
• ✓ Communicate with students regarding their program, schedule, attendance, payments or academic matters
• ✓ Issue transcripts, certificates, diplomas and other academic records
• ✓ Meet government, regulatory and reporting requirements
• ✓ Maintain records required of a private career college
• ✓ Respond to complaints, concerns or disputes
• ✓ Improve our programs, services and website
• ✓ Send promotional or marketing communications where permitted by law
• ✓ Protect the safety and security of our students, employees, premises and systems

GD College will only collect and use personal information for reasonable and legitimate purposes.

3. Sharing of Personal Information

GD College does not sell personal information.

Personal information may be shared when reasonably necessary with:

• ✓ Authorized GD College employees, instructors and administrators
• ✓ Government departments and regulatory authorities
• ✓ Alberta Advanced Education or applicable private career college regulators
• ✓ Student funding or sponsoring organizations where authorized or required
• ✓ Service providers that assist GD College with technology, communications, administration, accounting, website services or other business operations
• ✓ Auditors, inspectors or professional advisers
• ✓ Law enforcement, courts or other authorities where disclosure is required or permitted by law

Access to personal information within GD College is limited to individuals who reasonably require the information to perform their academic, administrative or operational duties.

4. Student Records

GD College maintains student records as required by applicable legislation, regulatory requirements and College policies.

Student records may include enrolment information, academic records, attendance, financial records, communications and other documents relating to a student's education at GD College.

Certain student information may be disclosed to government or regulatory authorities where GD College is legally required to provide that information.

5. Consent

By providing personal information to GD College, you consent to its collection, use and disclosure for the purposes identified at the time of collection and as described in this Privacy Policy, subject to applicable law.

Where additional consent is required, GD College may request consent separately.

Consent may be withdrawn where permitted by law. However, withdrawing consent may affect GD College's ability to provide certain services.

GD College may continue to retain or use information where required by law, regulation, contractual obligations or legitimate recordkeeping requirements.

6. Marketing Communications

GD College may send information about programs, upcoming intakes, events, promotions and other College opportunities where permitted by law.

You may unsubscribe from promotional emails or text messages at any time using the unsubscribe instructions provided or by contacting GD College.

Opting out of marketing communications will not prevent GD College from sending necessary administrative or academic communications relating to an application, enrolment, payment obligation or active student record.

7. Photos, Videos and Student Work

GD College may take photographs or videos during classes, events, practical training, portfolio sessions or graduation activities.

Where photographs, videos, testimonials or student work will be used for advertising, social media, promotional materials or other public purposes, GD College may obtain additional consent where appropriate.

8. Cookies and Website Information

The GD College website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, understand website traffic and improve our online services.

Third-party analytics or advertising services may also collect information about website activity where such services are used.

Visitors may be able to control or disable cookies through their browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

9. Third-Party Services

GD College may use third-party platforms and service providers for services such as:

• ✓ Online forms
• ✓ Email
• ✓ Website hosting
• ✓ Student administration
• ✓ Communications
• ✓ Analytics
• ✓ Advertising
• ✓ Accounting and payment administration

These providers may process personal information on behalf of GD College.

Some service providers may store or process information outside Alberta or Canada. In those circumstances, information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is processed.

10. Protecting Personal Information

GD College takes reasonable steps to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, loss, copying, modification or destruction.

Safeguards may include:

• ✓ Restricted access to student files
• ✓ Password-protected electronic systems
• ✓ Administrative and confidentiality procedures
• ✓ Secure physical and electronic storage
• ✓ Appropriate disposal of records when they are no longer required

While GD College takes reasonable precautions, no electronic system or method of storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

11. Retention of Information

GD College retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected and to satisfy applicable legal, regulatory, academic, taxation and recordkeeping requirements.

Student records may be retained for periods required by Alberta legislation or regulatory requirements.

When personal information is no longer reasonably required, GD College may securely destroy, delete or anonymize it as appropriate.

12. Accessing or Correcting Your Information

Individuals may contact GD College to request access to personal information maintained about them or to request correction of information they believe is inaccurate or incomplete.

Requests may be subject to identity verification and any restrictions permitted by applicable law.

13. Third-Party Websites

The GD College website may contain links to websites operated by other organizations.

GD College is not responsible for the content, security or privacy practices of third-party websites. Visitors are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any external websites they visit.

14. Privacy Concerns

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to request access or correction to your personal information, or have a privacy-related concern, please contact:

GD College Privacy Officer
Unit 108 – 1935 27 Avenue NE
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@gdcollege.ca
Phone: 587-349-1110

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

GD College may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, services or legal requirements.

The most current version will be posted on the GD College website with the date of the most recent update.