University ready for Y2K

University employees have worked for more than a year to exterminate any millennial bugs from the campus and its operating systems, ensuring a smooth transition to Y2K during winter break. As a result, the Y2K task force expects University-based systems, such as computers, payroll and accounting, to function smoothly.

But problems that occur off campus, especially if they affect the City of Chicago’s electrical power, could have ramifications here as well. Radio and television stations will be among the first to know if there are any problems that affect the city as a whole. The best way to keep informed is to simply follow your normal news.

Should any problems occur that might affect either the opening of the residence halls on Tuesday, Jan. 4, or the first day of classes on Wednesday, Jan. 5, the University will provide an information link on its home page at www.uchicago.edu.

In addition, anyone who would like direct reassurance will be able to call the University’s main telephone number, (773) 702-1234, to hear up-to-date, recorded information in the unlikely event the University has a problem that may affect classes or housing.

To help ensure that computer, elevator and other systems on campus are not affected by electrical problems generated elsewhere, Facilities Services, Networking Services & Information Technologies and other units will turn off some of those systems a few hours before midnight on Friday, Dec. 31, and will bring them back “online” in the early hours of Saturday, Jan. 1.

Residents living in the housing system during that time will be informed directly by the Housing Office of any expected inconveniences this may cause.