Bill Harbaugh, a University of Oregon economics professor and author of the UO Matters blog, is reportedly the recipient of a trove of records that led UO administrators to place two librarians on paid administrative leave earlier this month.
The Chronicle of Higher education reports that Harbaugh requested the documents from university archives on the school’s last four presidents.
In an email to faculty, interim President Scott Coltrane said that the records did not contain social security numbers, financial information or medical records but did, “contain confidential information about faculty, staff and students.”
The president’s email called the records release “unlawful” but did not provide information into what about the records violates any laws.
Doug Blandy, senior vice provost for Academic Affairs, said that the university gave the professor, now identified by the Chronicle as Harbaugh, until Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. to return the records.
The records were not returned at that time.
The Oregonian identified the two librarians placed on leave as Kira Homo and James Fox. The university has not confirmed the names.
Harbaugh was not available for comment at the time of publication. He told the Chronicle that he would not comment on what the records contained.
“My attorney has told me not to talk about it,” Harbaugh said to the Chronicle.
Harbaugh’s relationship with the university throughout the years has been contentious. Last year tensions between Harbaugh and then student body president Sam Dotters-Katz made news. Harbaugh is an outspoken critic of university administrators, particularly former university presidents like Michael Gottfredson.
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