TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- An email glitch at Florida State leads to possibly hundreds of students receiving details of confidential assault and harassment complaints.
For one affected student who wished to remain anonymous, she says she's concerned about the reaction of a student who reportedly harassed her.
"In one word, it honestly made me feel violated," she said, "which is some way I didn't want to have to feel again."
On Monday, she got an email from University Housing, claiming she violated a fire safety code.
But the email also listed a complaint she filed - about concerns she and her roommate had with a male student in her residence hall.
"It stated his name, my name and her name -- and sort of the details, the really personal details of the report."
Other students received similar emails, listing incidents involving them -- some from years ago. But the university says third party software is to blame.
"The emails were sent out by that software program and were not intentionally or directly sent out from anyone -- university staff member or employee," said Steve Kleuver, a University Housing assistant director.
The university says it shut down the email server within minutes of noticing the glitch, issuing an email to students who were affected.
"There is no further action required on their part, nor do these emails initiate any conduct proceedings," Kleuver said.
But the student says the damage is done and worries about if it might happen again.
"I'm really just concerned about other people. I don't want anyone to have to be afraid to report sexual misconduct or any sort of harassment at all."
Kleuver says students who are concerned about their particular situation should contact University Housing.
After contacting the third party vendor, the software was updated to prevent future glitches. In addition, university staff will no longer be using the email function of the software after the incident.
