Last year, when “a folding error” caused the release of letters with students’ Social Security numbers visible through plastic on the envelopes, we thought those behind the scenes would have gotten their shit together in regard to protecting personal, private information.

And yet, here we are: Several hundred participants of the MU’s Choice Health Care Program had their names, birthdates, new ID cards and personal health information mailed to the wrong address. But, don’t worry, the university was quick to point out that no Social Security numbers were released. They learned that lesson real quick.

Coventry Health Care’s, which administers the UM system’s health care program, computer system incorrectly aligned names with the wrong addresses, causing the wrong information being sent to the wrong people.

Yes, we understand computer errors happen. We’ve all had typos in papers, e-mails sent to the wrong people and sentimental pictures lost. But, in the end, any computer error, especially one this massive and catastrophic, results from the carelessness of people who should’ve been making sure personal information isn’t sent to the wrong people.

Does nobody bother to double check? Seriously, if information were physically printed on to paper, you’d think whoever’s in charge would have enough common sense to make sure the information matched up. In the case of the Social Security numbers on the envelopes, you’d think at least the mailman would have noticed, if not an office employee. This probem could have been easily avoided if the system had a step in which a human employee double checked the information’s alignment.

Yes, people aren’t perfect, so neither are the machines we’ve created. The disregard for the safety of student and faculty’s personal information is reflected in the second mass computer error in two years. Clearly, this isn’t a priority.