The school's policies, however, say the university must notify faculty members before or soon after a search is done, a protection that doesn't extend to other Harvard employees.

WSJ: Harvard Explains Secret Email Search

Reaction to the email search was mixed, with some faculty members saying it seemed out of character for Harvard but not particularly shocking.

WSJ: Harvard Explains Secret Email Search

Some faculty members were unhappy with last autumn's search.

BBC: Harvard University file picture

Their search engine soon became the standard for Stanford students and faculty and then most of Silicon Valley.

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News of the secret search drew immediate criticism from some members of Harvard's faculty.

CNN: Harvard apologizes after secret e-mail search

In a statement, Faculty of Arts and Sciences deans Michael Smith and Evelyn Hammonds said complaints over the search were fair.

BBC: Harvard University file picture