Confidential Information of 3,000 University Students Obtained after Sale of Disk Drive

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A computer disk drive containing confidential information, including the names and Social Security numbers of Missouri Western students was accidentally sold in December.

The university released a statement on Thursday detailing the account, saying the disk drive was sold at a surplus sale. According to the university, the buyer discovered the disk drive on Jan. 7 and contacted Missouri Western on Jan. 8. The disk drive was returned to the university on Jan. 9 and the buyer assured Missouri Western the data was not copied or transmitted in any way.

Approximately 3,000 students’ information was on the drive. The university said the students were recruited between 2005 and 2009 and will be notified of the incident.

“Missouri Western State University makes every effort to ensure confidential information is secure,” said Cale Fessler, vice president for financial planning and administration. “We sincerely apologize for this incident. Missouri Western does not believe the information has been misused in any way.”