FROM:

Rodney Erickson, Vice President and Provost
Gary Schultz, Senior Vice President for Finance and Business/Treasurer

TO:

Students, Faculty, and Staff

Welcome back! The summer is behind us and it is time to turn our attention to final preparations for the Year 2000 computer bug (Y2K). Although expert opinions differ widely regarding the Y2K bug, there is credible evidence of the potential for problems. This potential has motivated the University to work diligently to ensure that all Penn State computing systems are Y2K readyan effort that began in the late 1980's and continues to this day. The Y2K bug is especially challenging at Penn State because computers are prevalent in every aspect of University life, including teaching, learning, research, outreach, student services, business services, and alumni services.

Despite the magnitude of these challenges, Penn State's Y2K readiness is well advanced, as the Frequently Asked Y2K Questions illustrates. Penn State's mission critical computer systems (including financial aid, registration, and payroll) are Y2K ready. Penn State continues to be in close communication with area utility suppliers and other critical vendors, so that we will have an uninterrupted supply of the utilities, products, and services needed to continue business as usual.

As a result, we expect to begin the next Spring semester as planned. We will resume normal University operations after the holidays on January 3, 2000, residence halls will open on Wednesday, January 5, and classes will begin on Monday, January 10. We will continue to evaluate the Y2K issue as it affects Penn State and retain the option of changing plans for the start of Spring semester, if that appears to be in the best interests of our students, faculty, and staff.

Desktop and laptop computers are a particular concern because they are so pervasive and involved in so many University activities. Therefore, please be advised that Penn State cannot vouch for the Y2K compliance of these computers. Responsible University offices will ensure that microcomputer lab computers are Y2K ready, but beyond that, you are responsible for making sure that your office and residence computers are ready. Please see http://www.psu.edu/Year2000/action/intro.html for instructions on testing and preparing desktop and laptop computers. You can also work with your local technical support staff to bring your computer into compliance, but you are responsible for initiating this process.

Penn State's Y2K Coordination Office will continue to communicate plans for Y2K. Look for this information in the Intercom and the Collegian, and via http://www.psu.edu/Year2000/executive.html on the Web. Throughout the Fall semester, we will announce details about the steps mentioned above. We will also announce our contingency plans for communicating information about any Y2K-based disruptions to students and their families, faculty, and staff, especially over the New Year's weekend and during the first week of January 2000.

Penn State has been supporting the Commonwealth in its Pa2K: Pennsylvania's Working Together program, so another good source of Year 2000 information is their Solving the Year 2000 Technology Challenge (http://www.pa2k.org) Web site. The Penn State Cooperative Extension service has also published an excellent guide entitled Consumers and the Year 2000 (Y2K). The guide may be downloaded in its .pdf format at http://www.cas.psu.edu/docs/casdept/familyliving/cb/Y2K.pdf . This publication contains steps that you and your family can take to prepare for Y2K.

We know that Y2K raises many questions. We are enclosing answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Y2K readiness at Penn State. If you have other questions or concerns about Penn State University's Y2K readiness, you can contact us or you can contact Penn State's Y2K Coordinator, (Kenneth Blythe) at 3 Shields Building, University Park, PA 16802 (814-863-0958 or kcb1@psu.edu).