On February 16, 2026, visitors to SJSU websites will notice a new pop-up banner giving information about tracking cookies and providing the ability to opt-out of non-necessary cookies. Driven by the California State University Chancellor’s Office, this update is part of our ongoing commitment to privacy, transparency, and user choice. Cookie banners are now common and recognized as best practice across higher education, government, and private-sector websites. They help ensure that users receive options, where applicable, about how their cookie data is handled.

When visiting SJSU’s website, you will see a banner that:

• Explains how CSU uses cookies.
• Allows you to opt out of non-necessary cookies (such as analytics and personalization cookies).
• Provides you the option to accept all, reject all, or manage your preferences individually per category of cookie.

Key points to know:

• Once per year per browser: You will typically only see the banner once every 12 months per device and browser, unless you clear your cookies or use a different browser.
• Closing the banner without making a selection opts you in: If you dismiss the banner by clicking the “X” without making a selection, it will close and you will be opted in to all cookies (both necessary and non-necessary) for US visitors. For EU/UK visitors, closing the banner (by clicking the “X”) will opt you out of non-necessary cookies.
• Adjusting preferences later: You can change your selection at any time by scrolling to the bottom of any participating CSU website and clicking the “Cookie Settings” link to update your cookie preferences.
• Shared devices: On shared or public computers (for example, labs or kiosks), we encourage users to review and set preferences each time to make sure their individual privacy choices are respected.

Opting out of non-necessary cookies gives you more control over your information. At the same time, opting in helps SJSU and California State University better understand how our websites are used, so we can improve navigation, accessibility, and online services for the benefit of the entire CSU community.

Thank you for your support in this important privacy initiative. If you have any additional questions about the upcoming cookie banner, please contact webservices@sjsu.edu. 

Sincerely,
Chris Wessells
CIO & VP-IT
SJSU