SMS Text Messaging Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: 8/5/2026

Owner: Office of Cyber Security & Compliance 

1. Purpose

Houston City College ("HCC" or "the College") utilizes Short Message Service (SMS) text messaging to provide timely communications to students, faculty, staff, applicants, vendors, alumni, and other authorized stakeholders. These communications support the College's educational mission, operational activities, public safety efforts, and delivery of services. 

By opting into HCC text messaging services, individuals acknowledge and agree to these Terms and Conditions. 

2. Consent to Receive Messages

 The College will obtain appropriate consent (opt-in) before sending non-emergency informational or promotional text messages. Emergency alerts may be sent as permitted by law and HCC policies. Opt-in methods may include but are not limited to: selecting “Yes” to receive texts in the student portal/profile settings; submitting a form that clearly discloses message types and frequency; or sending a keyword to an HCC short code or number where supported. 

By providing a mobile telephone number to HCC and electing to receive text communications, the recipient expressly authorizes HCC and its approved service providers to send SMS messages related to: 

  • Academic information and enrollment activities 
  • Student services and support 
  • Financial aid and registration reminders 
  • Information technology and cybersecurity notices 
  • Human Resources communications 
  • Administrative and operational announcements 
  • Event notifications and community engagement activities 
  • Other business-related communications necessary to support College operations 

Consent to receive SMS messages is voluntary and is not a condition of enrollment, employment, or receipt of College services, unless otherwise required for emergency notification purposes. 

3. Message Frequency

Message frequency may vary depending on an individual's relationship with the College, participation in College programs, and operational requirements. 

Recipients may receive recurring or one-time communications as necessary to support College business, educational, or safety functions. 

4. Opt-Out Rights

Recipients may opt out of non-emergency text messages at any time by: 

  • Replying STOP (or equivalent) to any text message received from HCC;  
  • Using the preference center in the portal/app where available; or contacting the appropriate College department responsible for the communication. 

Upon receiving an opt-out request, HCC will make reasonable efforts to discontinue future non-emergency text communications. Emergency notifications relating to campus safety, security incidents, threats to life, health, or property may continue as permitted by law and institutional policy. 

5. Help and Support

Recipients may obtain assistance by: 

  • Replying HELP to any text message received from HCC when supported by the messaging platform; 
  • Contacting the HCC Information Technology Service Desk; or 
  • Contacting the applicable College department that initiated the communication. 

6. Privacy and Data Protection

HCC is committed to protecting personal information and maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of institutional data. If you have any questions regarding privacy, please review the following:  

Text messaging should not be used to transmit highly sensitive information, including: 

  • Social Security Numbers 
  • Payment card information 
  • Protected health information unless expressly authorized 
  • Student education records not permitted under FERPA 
  • Authentication credentials or passwords 
  • Confidential personnel information 

7. Charges and Carrier Responsibility

HCC may utilize approved third-party messaging platforms and service providers to deliver SMS communications. Standard message and data rates may apply according to the recipient's wireless service plan. Questions regarding text messaging and data plans may be directed to the recipient’s wireless provider.  

Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. 

HCC does not guarantee uninterrupted delivery of text messages and shall not be responsible for service disruptions arising from carrier networks, device limitations, technical failures, or other circumstances beyond the College's reasonable control. 

8. Cybersecurity and Fraud Prevention

HCC will never request passwords, multifactor authentication codes, banking credentials, or other confidential security information through text messages. 

Recipients should immediately report suspicious messages claiming to represent HCC to: 

Cyber Security & Compliance Office
Houston City College
It.security@hccs.edu
713.718.6800 

Any suspected phishing, fraud, or social engineering attempt should be treated as a potential cybersecurity incident. 

9. Record Retention and Legal Compliance

SMS communications may constitute official College records and may be retained in accordance with the College’s records retention policies and monitored or disclosed as required by state or federal law, court orders, or regulatory or audit requirements. 

10. Modification of Termsand Order of Precedence

HCC reserves the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time to comply with changes in law, regulation, technology, operational requirements, or institutional policy. Updated terms shall become effective upon publication on the College website. 

In the event of any conflict between these Terms and Conditions and College policies, procedures, and regulations, the following order of precedence applies: (1) HCC policies enacted by the Board of Trustees; (2) HCC procedures and regulations approved by the Chancellor; (3) HCC’s general privacy policy; and (4) these Terms and Conditions. 

11. Contact Information

Questions regarding these SMS Terms and Conditions may be directed to: 

Privacy Officer
Houston City College
privacyofficer@hccs.edu

For privacy-related inquiries, individuals may contact the College Privacy Officer pursuant to the HCC Privacy Policy.