ATHENS, Ohio – William Sams has decided to step aside as associate provost for information technology and chief information officer at Ohio University (OU), Provost Kathy Krendl announced July 11.
He will remain in place until a new CIO is named. Until that time, Sams will remain focused on implementing the plan developed to improve all facets of OU’s information technology services.
The resignation comes after the discovery of five computer security breaches that resulted in the personal information, including Social Security numbers, of approximately 173,000 individuals being exposed. Because of the breaches, two OU graduates have sued the university, saying their right to privacy has been violated. They are seeking class action status.
OU officials have acknowledged the security faults and pledged to make improvements.
