[Ohlap-k12-counselors] Connors/OHLAP: press release and letter

[Alexander, Carol]

To High School Counselors and OHLAP Contact Persons:
 
Attached is a news release from the State Regents and a letter from Connors State College addressed to all Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) college students on the current OHLAP eligibility list.  The list does not include any information on OHLAP students still enrolled in high school.  There are approximately 22,500 students on the list.  As you will see in the news release and letter, on Wednesday, November 1, Connors reported to the OHLAP office that a laptop computer containing the eligibility list was stolen from a campus facility.  The OHLAP eligibility list contains personal information of the students on the list.  The list does not include any information on OHLAP students still in high school.
 
The list is made available to participating colleges and universities via a secure password protected site so institutions can check the eligibility of students who identify themselves as OHLAP students.  The security of the site was not breached.  However, the list was downloaded by Connors staff and then transferred to a laptop computer that was subsequently stolen.
 
Our office was preparing to mail a letter to all OHLAP college students on November 7.  However, the day before, on November 6, Connors informed us that the laptop had been recovered.  On November 7-8, forensics experts conducted an evaluation of the computer but could not conclude whether or not the OHLAP files had been accessed.  As of this time, Connors does not have any evidence that the data has been misused.
 
We are sending the attached letter to all students on the list.  
 
We have removed the OHLAP eligibility list from the secure site and are closely reviewing all of our OHLAP claims payment processes.  We will be working to implement stricter guidelines for the management and use of the data.  
 
We sincerely regret that this event has occurred.  However, we are making every effort to properly inform the OHLAP students potentially affected and ensure the security of our processes.
 
Please let us know if you have any questions.  You can reach the OHLAP office at 1-800-858-1840 (select OHLAP option) or 405-225-9152.  You can also e-mail us at okpromise at osrhe.edu.
 
 

Bryce Fair 
Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Scholarships & Grants 
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education 
Phone:  (405) 225-9162 
Fax:  (405) 225-9230 
E-mail:  bfair at osrhe.edu 

Mailing Address: 
P.O. Box 108850 
Oklahoma City, OK  73101-8850 

Street Address: 
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200 
Oklahoma City, OK  73104 

 
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