According to an announcement on university website Around the O, documents leaked from the University of Oregon presidential archives to a UO professor have been returned.

In an email to faculty today, acting provost Frances Bronet announced their return. In it, he explains that they were released from the archive without following the proper processing procedures. The university cited concerns that the documents contained sensitive information protected by FERPA and Oregon state laws.

“What was at stake went beyond a concern that confidential information was shared before being appropriately processed,” the email says. “Students, parents, faculty and staff need to have confidence that we will follow appropriate procedures to ensure their right to privacy.” 

On Tuesday, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported that UO economics professor and watchdog blogger Bill Harbaugh was the recipient of the documents. The leak was first announced by Interim President Scott Coltrane in an email to UO employees over a week ago.