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Private info post angers students

Two students seek free credit reports after professor posted personal information on Web

By Portia-Elaine Gant
Senior Staff Writer

When Kwong Lau announced to his physics class that he accidentally posted 165 students' names and Social Security numbers on the World Wide Web for more than two weeks, most of the students in the class did not immediately react.

However, biology junior Lauren Palermo and biology post-baccalaureate Johnson Tai were immediately concerned. Both students approached Lau and Physics Department Chairman Lawrence Pinsky about the issue and, more than a month later -- after numerous phone calls, e-mails and meetings -- they said they aren't satisfied with the University's actions.

Manuel Rearte/The Daily Cougar

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"Immediately after class, (Lauren and I) went up to talk to Dr. Pinsky, and I asked him for written documentation of this. I'm not old, but I've been in the world a couple of times where you want people to put stuff in writing," Tai said. "I requested for him to have that letter by the end of business that day. Instead, it came eight days later."

Pinsky did not return calls from The Daily Cougar.

Tai contacted General Counsel Dona Hamilton, Dean of Students William Munson and Assistant Dean of Students Edgar Berry, and Vice President for Student Affairs Elwyn C. Lee. Hamilton took the lead in dealing with the issue, which she said was "an isolated incident."

Hamilton said her office contacted the Information Technology Department to find out whether anyone could have accessed the information and met with deans and department chairs to remind them of their obligations under privacy laws. She said her staff has also reviewed University policy to make sure such incidents aren't likely to recur.

"What I found was that this was inadvertent," Hamilton said. "I don't have any information that any of the information posted was actually misused or misappropriated. If I were to find that, we would have to look into other things, but I don't suspect that to be true based on a limited access.

"I feel pretty confident that faculty and staff have been reminded what their obligations are under the law, and we're complying with it," she said.

Tai has made it clear that he is not satisfied with the University's response. After carrying a large sign around campus before Spring Break, Tai contacted the Houston Press, which printed a brief about the situation in its April 1 issue.

"It's like nothing is being done. (The University) said, 'OK, we're sorry. Go check your credit report. Bye.' I did not take that very well," Tai said. "When bad things happen, it's too late. When someone's identity has been stolen or there's credit card fraud going on, it's too late."

Palermo said she shared Tai's indignation but recognized the University was not interested in taking the case farther than an apology. Both Palermo and Tai requested that major credit-reporting services be provided to the affected students free of charge for the next 10 years.

"I think Dr. Lau should be reprimanded in some way, and I think the (administration) would look at it differently if it was their Social Security numbers," Palermo said.

But Hamilton said she does not feel the credit-reporting service is necessary. She said she thinks the request is more emotional than rational and that Tai did not know or understand the steps the University had already taken to rectify the situation.

"I certainly have a lot of sympathy for the students, and I understand their frustration. I have encouraged them, if they have an issue, to come to me," she said. "I think our steps are more adequate than what (Tai) asked for."

Tai has also contacted Student Government Association President Jon Quintanilla, but he said he's not hopeful.

"I don't expect a lot of things to be moving on this. I say, let me just finish my semester in peace and that will be OK," Tai said. "I've done all I can. I lost some things, but I did what I thought was right."

Still, Palermo is hoping for something more from the administration.

"I just want to see some response," Palermo said. "I just want to know that they care."
 

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