John Carroll University (“JCU,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) uses cookies, local storage, and similar technologies on jcu.edu to ensure the site functions properly, understand how visitors use our pages, and—where you allow it—improve the relevance of content and advertising. We honor your choices using Google Consent Mode v2, which adjusts how Google tags and other tracking technologies behave based on your consent selections.
This Cookie Policy supplements the University’s Web Privacy Policy, which describes how JCU collects, uses, and protects information across all University web properties. For questions about broader data practices, security, or FERPA, please refer to that policy.
What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your browser. They can be session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent cookies (stored until they expire or you delete them). We also use browser local storage, which works similarly to cookies but stores data directly in your browser. Additionally, we may use pixels and similar tracking technologies deployed through our tag management system.
How We Categorize These Technologies
We group cookies and storage into the categories below. Non-essential categories are denied by default and only activate if you consent.
1. Strictly Necessary (Always Active)
Required for core site functions such as page navigation, security, load balancing, and storing your consent choices. These do not collect personal information for marketing purposes. Your consent preferences are stored in browser local storage under the key consentMode.
2. Preferences / Functionality (Optional)
Remember settings like display preferences or media choices to improve your experience. This category also governs storage used by content personalization tools that tailor page content to your interests (for example, showing information relevant to prospective students).
3. Analytics (Optional)
Help us understand site usage—such as which pages are popular and how visitors navigate—so we can improve the site. When consent is denied, Google Consent Mode uses limited, cookieless pings to maintain basic aggregated measurement without storing or reading identifiers on your device.
4. Advertising / Marketing (Optional)
Used to deliver or measure the effectiveness of university recruitment and awareness campaigns. If you do not consent, Google Consent Mode prevents advertising cookies and uses modeled, non-identifying signals where applicable.
Google Consent Mode v2 on jcu.edu
We use Google Consent Mode v2 to respect your choices across all Google tags deployed through Google Tag Manager. The following consent signals govern how tags behave:
| Signal |
Controls |
Category |
ad_storage |
Advertising cookies and ad measurement |
Advertising / Marketing |
ad_user_data |
Sending user data to Google for advertising |
Advertising / Marketing |
ad_personalization |
Personalized advertising (remarketing) |
Advertising / Marketing |
analytics_storage |
Analytics cookies and reporting |
Analytics |
functionality_storage |
Features like video players or widgets that rely on storage |
Strictly Necessary |
personalization_storage |
Content personalization and preference storage |
Preferences / Functionality |
security_storage |
Fraud prevention and security features |
Strictly Necessary |
Defaults: Before you make a choice, all non-essential storage signals are set to denied. The functionality_storage and security_storage signals are tied to the “Strictly Necessary” category and are granted when you accept cookies. If you reject non-essential cookies, the site continues to function and Google tags operate in a limited, cookieless mode where possible.
User Identification
If you have previously interacted with JCU through our enrollment systems (such as submitting an inquiry or application), a non-identifying user identifier may be stored in your browser’s local storage. When analytics consent is granted, this identifier is sent to Google Analytics to help us understand how prospective students interact with our website across visits. This identifier does not contain your name, email, or other directly identifying information.
Partners and Technologies
The specific cookies and storage keys on our site may change as we update our technologies. Common partners and tools include:
| Provider / Feature |
Example Storage |
Purpose |
Category |
Typical Lifespan |
| Consent Manager |
consentMode (local storage) |
Stores your consent choices |
Strictly Necessary |
Until cleared |
| Google Analytics 4 |
_ga, _ga_*, _gid (cookies) |
Aggregate usage and performance analytics |
Analytics |
Up to 14 months |
| Google Ads / Floodlight |
_gcl_au, _gcl_aw, IDE (cookies) |
Measure and improve campaign effectiveness |
Advertising / Marketing |
Up to 13 months |
| Google Tag Manager |
None (deploys other tags) |
Tag deployment and management |
N/A |
N/A |
| YouTube Embeds |
YSC, VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE, PREF (cookies) |
Play embedded videos and measure engagement |
Functionality / Marketing |
Session–13 months |
| Content Personalization |
Local storage keys, session data |
Tailor page content based on visitor interests (e.g., program of interest, visitor type) |
Preferences / Functionality |
Session–12 months |
| Enrollment Identifier |
userId (local storage) |
Links analytics data to enrollment interactions across visits |
Analytics |
Until cleared |
Note: Additional tags (such as campaign-specific tracking pixels) may be deployed through Google Tag Manager on a temporary basis. These tags follow the same consent rules described above and will only fire if you have granted consent for the relevant category.
Managing Your Preferences
You can change your cookie choices at any time:
- Cookie Settings link: Select “Cookie Settings” in the footer of any page to reopen the consent banner and update your preferences.
- Browser settings: Most browsers let you view, manage, and delete cookies and local storage. Blocking or deleting these may affect some site features.
- Consent banner: When you first visit our site, a banner asks you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. Your choice is saved in local storage and persists until you change it or clear your browser data.
Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) signal. Our site relies on the consent mechanism described above rather than DNT signals. To control cookies and tracking, please use the Cookie Settings link or your browser settings.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in our technologies, partners, or legal requirements. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page shows the most recent revision.
Contact
For questions about cookies and tracking technologies on jcu.edu, contact:
Director of Web Services, Kara Kraus
Email: kkraus@jcu.edu
For questions about the University’s broader data privacy practices, contact:
Senior Data Security Engineer, James Spitznagel
Email: jspitznagel@jcu.edu
John Carroll University
1 John Carroll Blvd, University Heights, OH 44118
This policy is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
