Cookie Policy
Effective Date: July 15, 2026
Last Updated: July 15, 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how the BAMA Parents & Alumni Club (“BAMA Parents Club,” “Club,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit BamaParentsClub.com (the “Website”).
This Cookie Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and protect personal information.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device when you visit a website.
Cookies and similar technologies can allow a website to:
- Recognize a browser or device
- Maintain a login session
- Remember preferences
- Protect forms and accounts
- Measure Website traffic
- Provide interactive features
- Remember cookie-consent choices
We may also use browser local storage and session storage. For purposes of this Cookie Policy, references to cookies include similar browser-storage technologies unless otherwise stated.
2. How We Use Cookies
The Website currently uses or may use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Operate essential Website functions
- Allow members to log into their accounts
- Maintain Website and account security
- Determine whether a browser accepts cookies
- Remember cookie-consent choices
- Protect registration and contact forms from spam and abuse
- Determine whether a browser supports modern emoji characters
- Measure Website traffic through Google Analytics
- Display maps and location information
- Understand how visitors interact with the Website
- Improve Website functionality and performance
We do not currently use cookies to sell personal information or create behavioral advertising profiles for unrelated third parties.
3. Categories of Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly necessary cookies support the basic operation, security, login, and consent functions of the Website.
These cookies may:
- Authenticate registered members
- Maintain login sessions
- Test whether cookies are enabled
- Protect member accounts
- Prevent unauthorized access
- Store cookie-consent choices
- Protect forms from spam and automated submissions
Because these technologies are necessary for essential Website functions, they generally cannot be disabled through the Website’s cookie preference tool.
Blocking necessary cookies through your browser may prevent you from logging in, submitting forms, or using member features.
Analytics Cookies
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors find and use the Website.
Analytics cookies may help us measure:
- Website visits
- Page views
- Session activity
- Referring websites
- Marketing sources
- Device and browser types
- General geographic information
- Links and Website features used
Where required by applicable law, Google Analytics will not be activated until you consent to analytics cookies.
4. Functional Technologies
Functional technologies support optional Website features such as:
- Google Maps
- Hotel-location displays
- Browser emoji support
- Interactive Website content
Some functional services are provided by third parties and may set their own cookies or receive device and interaction information.For more information on how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.
Essential
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
| Name | Description | Duration |
|---|
| wpconsent_preferences | This cookie is used to store the user's cookie consent preferences. | 30 days |
Google reCAPTCHA
Google reCAPTCHA helps protect websites from spam and abuse by verifying user interactions through challenges.
| Name | Description | Duration |
|---|
| _GRECAPTCHA | Google reCAPTCHA sets a necessary cookie (_GRECAPTCHA) when executed for the purpose of providing its risk analysis. | 179 days |
Login
These cookies are used for managing login functionality on this website.
| Name | Description | Duration |
|---|
| wordpress_sec | Used to track the user across multiple sessions. | 15 days |
| wordpress_test_cookie | Used to determine if cookies are enabled. | Session |
| wordpress_logged_in | Used to store logged-in users. | Persistent |
Statistics
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Learn more| Name | Description | Duration |
|---|
| _ga_ | ID used to identify users | 2 years |
| _gid | ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity | 24 hours |
| _gat | Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager | 1 minute |
| _ga | ID used to identify users | 2 years |
| _gali | Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked | 30 seconds |
| __utmz | Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server | 6 months after last activity |
| __utmv | Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server. | 2 years after last activity |
| __utmx | Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test. | 18 months |
| __utmt | Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests | 10 minutes |
| __utmb | Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server. | 30 minutes after last activity |
| __utmc | Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session. | End of session (browser) |
| _gac_ | Contains information related to marketing campaigns of the user. These are shared with Google AdWords / Google Ads when the Google Ads and Google Analytics accounts are linked together. | 90 days |
| __utma | ID used to identify users and sessions | 2 years after last activity |
Matomo
Matomo is an open-source web analytics platform that provides detailed insights into website traffic and user behavior.
Learn more| Name | Description | Duration |
|---|
| matomo_ignore | cookie will be a third party cookie. This cookie does not contain personal information or any ID and the cookie value is the same for all visitors) | 30 years |
| matomo_sessid | when you use the opt-out feature (this is called a nonce and helps prevent CSRF security issues) | 14 days |
| mtm_cookie_consent | Cookie is used to store the user consent preference | forever |
| _pk_testcookie | Cookie is created and should be then directly deleted (used to check whether the visitor’s browser supports cookies) | session |
| mtm_consent | Cookie is created with no expiry date to forever remember that consent was given by the user. | forever |
| mtm_consent_removed | Cookie is used to store the user consent preference | forever |
| _pk_ses | Short lived cookies used to temporarily store data for the visit | 30 minutes |
| _pk_cvar | Short lcts data on visitors behavior and interaction - This is used to optimize the website and make advertisement on the website more relevant. | 3 years |
| _pk_hsr | Short lived cookies used to temporarily store data for the visit | 30 minutes |
| _pk_id | Used to store a few details about the user such as the unique visitor ID | 13 months |
| _pk_ref | Used to store the attribution information, the referrer initially used to visit the website | 6 months |
Marketing
Marketing cookies are used to follow visitors to websites. The intention is to show ads that are relevant and engaging to the individual user.
Google Maps
Google Maps is a web mapping service providing satellite imagery, real-time navigation, and location-based information.
Learn more| Name | Description | Duration |
|---|
| OGP | This cookie is used by Google to activate and track the Google Maps functionality. | 2 months |
| OGPC | These cookies are used by Google to store user preferences and information while viewing Google mapped pages. | 1 month |
Cookie names, identifiers, and expiration periods may change due to:
- Browser restrictions
- WordPress updates
- Google service updates
- Website plugin changes
- Cookie-consent settings
- Account-login settings
The suffix attached to some WordPress and Google Analytics cookies varies by Website or account configuration.
5. WordPress Login Cookies
The Website uses WordPress to support member accounts and login functionality.
WordPress may use cookies to:
- Test whether cookies are enabled
- Authenticate registered members
- Maintain a logged-in session
- Protect administrative and account areas
- Remember a user when “Remember Me” is selected
These cookies are necessary for account functionality.
Deleting or blocking them may log you out or prevent you from accessing protected member features.
6. Cookie-Consent Preferences
The Website uses a necessary cookie to remember your cookie choices.
This cookie may record whether you:
- Accepted all available cookies
- Rejected nonessential cookies
- Accepted selected cookie categories
- Previously opened or completed the preference panel
The preference cookie does not ordinarily contain the membership information submitted through registration forms.
You may reopen the Website’s cookie preference tool to change your choices.
7. Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to measure Website traffic and understand how visitors interact with the Website.
Google Analytics may process:
- Cookie identifiers
- IP-address information
- Browser and device information
- Approximate geographic information
- Referring sources
- Pages visited
- Links clicked
- Session and interaction information
We use this information to produce aggregated reports, identify technical issues, and improve the Website.
Google Analytics should not be configured to receive registration or contact information such as:
- Names
- Email addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Mailing addresses
- Spouse names
- Graduation years
- Passwords
- Reservation confirmation numbers
Where consent is required, Google Analytics cookies will remain blocked unless the visitor accepts the Analytics category.
8. Google reCAPTCHA
We use Google reCAPTCHA to protect Website forms from spam, abuse, fraud, and automated submissions.
When reCAPTCHA is executed, Google may set the _GRECAPTCHA cookie and process information about the visitor’s device and interaction with the Website.
This may include:
- IP-address information
- Browser information
- Device information
- Mouse movements or keyboard interactions
- Time spent on a page
- Previous Google cookies
- Information used to distinguish legitimate visitors from automated systems
Because reCAPTCHA protects Website forms and accounts, it may be categorized as a necessary or security technology.
Google’s privacy policy and terms govern Google’s processing of information through reCAPTCHA.
9. WordPress Emoji Support
WordPress may use a browser session-storage item called wpEmojiSettingsSupports.
This technology tests whether your browser can correctly display modern emoji characters. It allows WordPress to determine whether additional emoji-support files are necessary.
This technology:
- Supports Website display functionality
- Does not directly identify you by name
- Is not used by us for behavioral advertising
- Is not intended to track you across unrelated websites
- Is generally removed when the browser session or tab is closed
Although this is not a traditional cookie, it is included in this policy because it stores a limited preference in your browser.
10. Google Maps
The Website may use Google Maps to display the participating hotel’s location.
When a Google Map loads, Google may set cookies or use browser storage to:
- Display the map
- Remember map preferences
- Process map interactions
- Provide location-related features
- Prevent fraud and abuse
- Maintain Google service functionality
Google may also receive your IP address, browser information, device information, and approximate location.
Depending on the Website’s consent configuration, Google Maps may be treated as a functional service and blocked until you accept the applicable cookie category.
Cookies used by Google Maps may vary depending on:
- Whether you are logged into a Google account
- Your browser settings
- Your location
- Google’s current service configuration
- Previous interactions with Google services
11. No Advertising Cookies
The Website does not currently use the following for behavioral advertising:
- Meta or Facebook Pixel
- Google Ads remarketing
- LinkedIn Insight Tag
- Third-party advertising networks
- Cross-site advertising profiles
- Cookies used to sell personal information
- Cookies used to share personal information for targeted advertising
If advertising or remarketing technologies are added, we will update this policy and provide any consent or opt-out options required by applicable law.
12. Managing Cookie Preferences
You may manage nonessential cookies through the cookie-consent banner or preference tool displayed on the Website.
Available choices may include:
- Accepting all cookies
- Rejecting nonessential cookies
- Accepting analytics cookies
- Accepting functional cookies
- Changing a previous preference
Necessary cookies may remain active because they support:
- Account login
- Website security
- Consent management
- Form protection
- Essential Website operation
You may also manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View stored cookies
- Delete individual cookies
- Delete all cookies
- Block cookies from selected websites
- Block third-party cookies
- Block all cookies
- Clear local storage
- Clear session storage
- Receive a warning before cookies are stored
Blocking all cookies may prevent you from logging in, remaining logged in, submitting forms, or using other Website features.
13. Changing or Withdrawing Consent
Where consent is required, you may change or withdraw your consent through the Website’s cookie preference tool.
Withdrawing consent does not invalidate processing that occurred before consent was withdrawn.
Changing your preference should prevent future activation of the applicable nonessential technology. It may not automatically remove cookies already stored on your device.
You may need to delete previously stored cookies through your browser settings.
14. Third-Party Websites
The Website may link to:
- Hilton
- The University of Alabama
- Restaurants and attractions
- Social media platforms
- Mobile application stores
- Travel or event websites
- Other third-party services
When you leave BamaParentsClub.com, the third-party website may use its own cookies and tracking technologies.
Those technologies are controlled by the third party and governed by its privacy and cookie policies.
This Cookie Policy applies only to technologies used through BamaParentsClub.com.
15. Browser Privacy Signals
Some browsers offer Do Not Track, Global Privacy Control, or similar privacy preference signals.
There is not one universally accepted technical standard for every browser signal.
Where required by applicable law and supported by our Website technology, we will process recognized browser-based privacy preference signals as requests to limit applicable data processing.
16. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when:
- New cookies or technologies are added
- A service is removed
- Website functionality changes
- WordPress or Website plugins are updated
- Membership services change
- A new participating hotel or service provider is added
- Legal requirements change
The updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.
Material changes may also be communicated through the Website, cookie banner, membership account, or email where appropriate.
17. Contact Us
For questions about this Cookie Policy or the Website’s use of cookies, contact:
BAMA Parents & Alumni Club
Homewood Suites by Hilton Tuscaloosa Downtown
2451 Jack Warner Parkway West
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Telephone: (205) 349-2727
Email: bamaparentsclub@vistahost.net
Please include “Cookie Policy Question” in the subject line of your email.
