Students alerted to 'exposure' of personal data

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Social Security numbers and other personal information of some students at Missouri Southern State University have been "exposed," university officials said.

"We recently learned that non-directory information (such as Social Security number, phone number, grade-point average and user identification number) has been exposed for some of our students," interim registrar Cheryl Dobson wrote in an e-mail to some students.

"Be assured we are doing everything we can to promptly address this issue," her e-mail said.

Richard McCallum, vice president of academic affairs, said Missouri Southern followed up with a letter to the students. He would not discuss what "exposed" meant or how many students were affected, citing confidentiality and technical information.

McCallum said he did not know the date of the "exposure" or when the university discovered the problem, but he said officials took "immediate action" after learning about it from a student.

He also said he did not have detailed information on how the information may have gotten out. Asked if a hacker was involved, he said, "I am not going to use that term."

There was no evidence any of the information had been used to the potential harm or detriment of students, McCallum said.

"While there is a good chance your data is not at risk," the e-mail to the students read, they were directed to a Web site to ensure that their information was not further compromised.

Amie Meares, a sophomore from Carthage, was among those receiving the e-mail.

"I personally am really upset about this," Meares said. "It's hard enough being a student and trying to make ends meet, keep up with classes and schedules, and then have to worry about our private information being wide open."