SMS and Audio Communication Policy
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This policy applies to all Northern Essex Community College (NECC) employees, contractors, and third parties who access NECC applications, systems, or hardware remotely.
NECC SMS/Text/Audio Messages Privacy Policy
This policy applies to Short Message Service (SMS), text and audio messages sent to and from NECC that utilize phone numbers supplied by end users, including, but not limited to, students. Phone numbers may be gathered as part of the college admission process, employee onboarding, or as part of the signup process for a variety of college messaging services.
NECC will not sell any SMS, text or audio-enabled phone numbers (“Information”) provided by end users. NECC will not knowingly provide user Information of this sort to a third party who will use this Information for any reason other than acting directly on behalf of NECC. Examples of acceptable third-party messaging on behalf of NECC include, but are not limited to, sending emergency notifications and messages about academic or administrative school functions and deadlines.
Third parties who have access to NECC end user phone numbers are prohibited from using that information for non-NECC related purposes. However, any SMS or phone numbers, or information voluntarily submitted to NECC is subject to the Public Records Law and the Fair Information Practices Act (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66A), and other applicable laws and regulations. For this reason, part or all of the information you send NECC may be disclosed in accordance with the law.
SMS/Text/Audio Messages
By agreeing to receive SMS, text or audio messages from NECC you expressly consent to receive NECC-related marketing, informational, and/or transactional SMS, text or audio messages (audio messages and calls including artificial or pre-recorded messages or calls) that may be sent using an automatic telephone dialing system and/or software, by or on behalf of NECC at the phone number you provide to NECC. You may receive different types of messages including transactional, operational, or informational messages at that phone number, including but not limited to order confirmations; shipping and delivery notifications; multi-factor authentication; requests for information; promotional information; appointment information; appointment status updates; and
appointment reminders, or other messages in connection with NECC.
NECC may not be able to deliver messages to all mobile carriers. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt-out of receiving further text messages at any time. Please contact the NECC Helpdesk at helpdesk@necc.mass.edu for specific information about opting out of messaging services. After indicating your preference to stop receiving messages at the phone number provided, you may receive additional communications confirming that your request has been received and processed, and you may continue to receive messages for a short period while NECC processes your request(s). Providing consent to receive messages is not a condition of purchasing any property, goods, or services.
Messages exchanged with NECC, and phone calls with NECC, may be monitored or recorded including by third-parties on NECC’s behalf. If you send or receive messages with NECC via SMS, text message or phone call, NECC (or its third-party vendors on NECC’s behalf) may log data and signaling information in connection with the messages including the contents of the messages, phone numbers, phone carriers, electronic address, electronic routing information, and the date and time that any communications were processed. NECC (or its third-party vendors on NECC’s behalf) may also track your actions in response to the messages you receive from or on behalf of NECC, such as whether you deleted, opened, or forwarded such messages. NECC (or its third-party vendors on NECC’s behalf) may also store information that you provide through communications with NECC, including from phone calls, SMS or text messages.
Policy Changes
NECC will post changes to this policy at least 30 days before they take effect. Any information NECC collects under the current privacy policy will remain subject to the terms of this policy, consistent with the Public Records Law and the Fair Information Practices Act. After any changes take effect, all new information NECC collects, if any, will be subject to the new policy.
Contact Information
For answers to questions about the NECC SMS/Text/Audio Messages Privacy Policy, including the methods by which you can opt out, please contact us via email at helpdesk@necc.mass.edu.
Updated October 2025