Privacy Policy

The University of Waterloo's Alumni Relations respects your privacy and keeps all personal information strictly confidential.

We store personal information in the Office of Advancement database. This information is gathered from various sources as a result of interactions and affiliations with Waterloo. For example, we make changes to names and addresses as required, record attendance at events and communications preferences, and document donation history. Other sources of personal information include Registrar's Office student files and Human Resources records.

The university grants access to the database only to individuals who need it to carry out their duties and have signed a Confidentiality Agreement.

Your communication preferences

As an alumnus or donor, you are entitled to receive communications from Waterloo and its affiliated colleges about programs and services such as alumni events, reunions, magazines, newsletters, e-newsletters, affinity partnerships, fundraising appeals, announcements, media releases, and surveys.

Call us at 519-888-4567, ext. 32038 or use our alumni communication preferences form to tell us what you would like to receive.

Waterloo and the National Do Not Call List

On September 30, 2008, Canada's national Do Not Call List (DNCL) took effect. Once your phone number has been registered on the list for more than 31 days, most telemarketers may not call you without your prior consent.

As a registered charity, however, the University of Waterloo is allowed to make unsolicited telephone calls regarding fundraising and other university activities. Prior to September 30, 2008, the university's student call centre was already following many of the DNCL's new regulations; for instance, we maintain our own internal "do not call" list and respect specific individual "do not call" requests. In addition, we now:

  • Restrict calls to between 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). (These hours apply to the time zone in which the individual receiving the telephone call resides.)
  • State the purpose of the call at the beginning of the call, and identify on whose behalf we are making the call.
  • Provide a 1-800 contact number at the end of each call, should you have additional comments or questions. This number connects to a voicemail box that we check daily, and we respond to all inquiries within three business days.

We hope you will continue to allow us to contact you about alumni events and benefits, and for fundraising purposes. To indicate what communications you would like to receive, please use the alumni communication preferences form.

Affinity Partnerships

The University of Waterloo has established affinity relationships with companies that provide services to our alumni. Your participation in these services generates revenue for alumni programs and services.

Waterloo does not rent or sell your personal information. The university's affinity partners may contact you about their services from time to time. In such cases, both the university and the affinity partner adhere strictly to current federal and provincial privacy legislation laws to ensure that your personal information remains confidential.

You can change your Waterloo affinity partner communication preferences online at any time or by calling 519-888-4567, ext. 32038.

Website privacy

Office of Advancement websites make use of website tracking and analytics software. The information gathered through this resource enables us to analyze trends in our online traffic so we can continuously improve our online presence. Please see the University of Waterloo website privacy statement for more details.

Third Party Providers of Alumni Services

From time to time, the University may enter contracts with companies that provide services to alumni, students and others that we believe have value for those audiences such as mentorship platforms, electronic communities, etc. Your use of these services is voluntary and is bound by the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use agreements you complete when electing to use these services.

Your data will be shared with the University for the purposes of administering and operating alumni, fundraising, and other University programs, and improving the performance and relevance of the platform. All data received by the University is protected by the University of Waterloo's Protection of Privacy and Freedom of Information Guidelines.

Data is stored on the University’s Advancement database and the university grants access to the database only to individuals who need it to carry out their duties and have signed a Confidentiality Agreement.

Questions or concerns?

If you have any concerns about how your personal information is treated, please contact Sean Thomas, Associate Vice-President, Advancement Services by email or by calling 519-888-4567, ext. 41847.

We also adhere to the University of Waterloo's Protection of Privacy and Freedom of Information Guidelines.

Alumni communication preferences form