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Personal information belonging to 267 Montana Tech former students was released in an email message inadvertently disseminated to the campus community earlier this week.

The information was emailed on April 22. An email containing information including names, social security numbers, addresses, phone numbers and in some cases dates of birth of 267 former students who took part in the undergraduate research program from 1998 to 2006 was inadvertently sent out by a staffer, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Research Doug Abbott said. The email was intended to notify the campus community of an undergraduate research fair.

"It's an unfortunate incident that was caused from a good intent. Again, we're very proud of the research that goes on campus, so the intent was to spread news about the fair. Unfortunately the material released contained sensitive information that should not have been released," Abbott said.

Abbott says a student alerted officials of the email. A recall was issued but by then several emails had already been opened.

"We have recalled the email message, reviewed procedures to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future, and investigated methods to protect the credit of those affected. The university is working diligently to address problems caused by this incident and any further implications it might have," Chancellor Frank Gilmore said in the release.

University officials have attempted to contact those affected. Montana Tech has also created a website to provide information and assist those affected in protecting their personal information. Click here for that website.

"Our major concern at this point is protecting the personal information of those involved," Gilmore said.

MT Tech is offering to pay for the cost of a security freeze to prevent identity theft.