Web cookies (also called HTTP cookies, browser cookies, or simply cookies) are small pieces of data that websites store on your device (computer, phone, etc.) through your web browser. They are used to remember information about you and your interactions with the site.
Purpose of Cookies:
Session Management:
Keeping you logged in
Remembering items in a shopping cart
Saving language or theme preferences
Personalization:
Tailoring content or ads based on your previous activity
Tracking & Analytics:
Monitoring browsing behavior for analytics or marketing purposes
Types of Cookies:
Session Cookies:
Temporary; deleted when you close your browser
Used for things like keeping you logged in during a single session
Persistent Cookies:
Stored on your device until they expire or are manually deleted
Used for remembering login credentials, settings, etc.
First-Party Cookies:
Set by the website you're visiting directly
Third-Party Cookies:
Set by other domains (usually advertisers) embedded in the website
Commonly used for tracking across multiple sites
Authentication cookies are a special type of web cookie used to identify and verify a user after they log in to a website or web application.
What They Do:
Once you log in to a site, the server creates an authentication cookie and sends it to your browser. This cookie:
Proves to the website that you're logged in
Prevents you from having to log in again on every page you visit
Can persist across sessions if you select "Remember me"
What's Inside an Authentication Cookie?
Typically, it contains:
A unique session ID (not your actual password)
Optional metadata (e.g., expiration time, security flags)
Analytics cookies are cookies used to collect data about how visitors interact with a website. Their primary purpose is to help website owners understand and improve user experience by analyzing things like:
How users navigate the site
Which pages are most/least visited
How long users stay on each page
What device, browser, or location the user is from
What They Track:
Some examples of data analytics cookies may collect:
Page views and time spent on pages
Click paths (how users move from page to page)
Bounce rate (users who leave without interacting)
User demographics (location, language, device)
Referring websites (how users arrived at the site)
Here’s how you can disable cookies in common browsers:
1. Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Choose your preferred option:
Block all cookies (not recommended, can break most websites).
Block third-party cookies (can block ads and tracking cookies).
2. Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose Strict to block most cookies or Custom to manually choose which cookies to block.
3. Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top-left corner of the screen.
Go to Preferences > Privacy.
Check Block all cookies to stop all cookies, or select options to block third-party cookies.
4. Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions.
Select your cookie settings from there, including blocking all cookies or blocking third-party cookies.
5. On Mobile (iOS/Android)
For Safari on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Block All Cookies.
For Chrome on Android: Open the app, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies.
Be Aware:
Disabling cookies can make your online experience more difficult. Some websites may not load properly, or you may be logged out frequently. Also, certain features may not work as expected.
FOI #22-338 (09-21-22, 8:41 am) - Subject - Social Sentinel and Navigate 360 Detect
Name - Vincent Gabrielle
Affiliation - Hearst Media Connecticut (CT Insider)
I am requesting the contract for Social Sentinel, a social media and digital surveillance company. The Dallas Morning News reported that UConn had a contract with Social Sentinel from 2018-2021.
I am also requesting any extension of the contract or new contract with the company. Such contracts may be for the service "Navigate360 Detect" with the company Navigate360 due to an acquisition and name change this year.
Further, I am requesting any brochures, white papers or marketing material provided to UConn by Social Sentinel or Navigate360 if applicable.
FOI #22-337 (09-19-22, 4:12 pm) - Subject - Basketball game contract
Name - Rachel Lenzi
Affiliation - The Buffalo News
I am requesting a copy of the University of Connecticut athletic department's contract with the University at Buffalo for a basketball game scheduled for Nov. 15, 2022, at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. I am requesting this document as an electronic copy (as a PDF attachment to an email).
If there are any problems or if you need clarification on this request, please call me (716-954-1412) or email me.
FOI #22-336 (09-18-22, 8:18 pm) - Subject - Athletics
Name - Andy Wittry
Affiliation - On3
I'd like to make a public records request for a copy of any team-issued rulebooks or handbooks provided to any UConn athletes for the 2022-23 academic year. Since this request is of public interest, I'd like to request that any associated fees are waived. Please let me know in advance if there are any costs associated with fulfilling this request.
FOI #22-335 (09-16-22, 4:37 pm) - Subject - Communications with US Forestry Service
Name - Dan Starvish
Affiliation - CT Police and Fire Union/IAFF Local S-15
I am writing to request any and all documents, whether written or electronic, including memos, letters, emails, and/or any other form of communication, that Deputy Fire Chief Renshaw performed in reference to the US Forestry Service or Wildland Fire Fighting.
FOI #22-334 (09-16-22, 4:37 pm) - Subject - Investigation Details/Results led by Deputy Fire Chief Renshaw
Name - Dan Starvish
Affiliation - CT Police and Fire Union/IAFF Local S-15
I am writing to request any and all documents, whether written or electronic, including memos, letters, emails, and/or any other form of communication, in regards to UCONN Fire Department regarding any active/completed employee investigations initiated by and/or conducted by Deputy Fire Chief Renshaw.
FOI #22-333 (09-15-22, 10:36 pm) - Subject - Undergraduate Student Diversity Statistics at the University of Connecticut
Name - Student Student
Affiliation - University of Connecticut
I am requesting the diversity statistics at the University of Connecticut for the 2022-2023 Academic Year among all undergraduate students across all UConn campuses (Storrs, Waterbury, Hartford, Avery Point and Stamford). I ask that the statistics be disaggregated according to year of study (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior).
FOI #22-332 (09-15-22, 10:36 pm) - Subject - Data on Retention and Students on Academic Probation
Name - Student Student
Affiliation - University of Connecticut
I am requesting the records on undergraduate student retention at the University from July 1, 2017 to July 1, 2022. I am also requesting the records on undergraduate students on probation from July 1, 2017 to July 1, 2022. For both requests, I ask that the statistics be disaggregated according to race/ethnicity.
FOI #22-331 (09-15-22, 10:36 pm) - Subject - Records on Cultural Center Allocations
Name - Student Student
Affiliation - University of Connecticut
I am requesting the budget allocations made to each cultural center and cultural program at the University of Connecticut by the Office for Diversity and Inclusion from July 1, 2012 to July, 1 2022. I am also requesting the FY 2023 Budget Allocation for each cultural center and cultural program at the University of Connecticut.
FOI #22-329 (09-14-22, 6:37 pm) - Subject - Budget for the Office of Diversity Initiatives, Budget for Cultural Centers
Name - Student Student
Affiliation - University of Connecticut
I am requesting access to the budget allocated for the Office for Diversity And Inclusion as a whole as well as the budgets allocated to all of the individual cultural centers from July 1, 2017 (The Beginning of FY 2017-2018) to July 1, 2022 (The beginning of FY 2022-2023). In addition I am requesting the budget projections for both ODI and the individual cultural centers within the same 5 year period from July 1, 2017 to July 1, 2022.