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The following release is from the Georgia Tech Office of Information Technology. For a PDF file of this release, please go to 
<http://www.oit.gatech.edu/oithome/y2kstudent.pdf>.


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News
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December 10, 1999

For more information contact:
Toni Lynn Mills, Program Coordinator II,
OIT Media and Public Relations
404-894-8997 or toni.mills@oit.gatech.edu

Students Need Not Worry - Tech is Prepared for Y2K

Are you worried about what will happen on the Tech campus when the clock strikes 12:01 a.m., January 1, 2000? Will your ResNet connection work, will you be able to connect to the Tech Home Page, better yet will you have electricity and water?

"The Y2K Program Office and all campus departments have worked since 1996 to minimize the risks that Y2K poses to the health and safety of the campus community," said Tech Y2K Program Director Ken Edwards. "The on-campus utilities infrastructure, such as power, steam heat, and telecommunications systems, have been assessed and remediated as necessary. Additionally, mission critical administrative information systems including BANNER, payroll and financials have been upgraded and tested to meet the Y2K requirements," said Edwards.

Tech's Y2K effort is being coordinated by Edwards and Jennifer Cowan, both of the Office of Information Technology (OIT), with the assistance of Internal Auditing and the diligent efforts of Y2K coordinators representing all campus units. Of special interest to students, this list includes Housing, Facilities, and Student Health.

The following is what you need to know in order to prepare for what has become known to Tech Y2K planners as "Zero Day" (December 31, 1999 - January 1, 2000).

General Emergencies and Y2K - What is the problem?
General emergencies such as power outages, tornadoes or snow emergencies are a fact of life and require planning. Moreover, as the Year 2000 approaches, it has become well known that dates with a century value of "20" instead of "19" have the potential to disrupt computers, programs, data, and computerized equipment. Along with other educational institutions, governmental agencies, and businesses, Tech has developed contingency plans and has worked to ensure that the systems used to support education and research are ready, accurate and available before, during, and after "Zero Day."

How likely is a Y2K emergency that would force the campus to close or cancel classes?
In the last five years Georgia Tech has closed only rarely due to snow emergencies. Occasional loss of local utilities has forced Tech to cancel or reschedule classes, but never to close the entire Institution. Loss of local utilities to the Institute for an extended period of time, due to a major regional emergency or due to Y2K problems, could force the Tech facilities to close for an unknown period of time. Georgia Power, Atlanta Gas and Light and other local utilities all report Y2K readiness for their systems. However, due to the high degree of regional interconnection of utility services, problems could originate from a source outside of this service area that would have an effect on the Atlanta metro area. Loss of utility service for an extended period of time is a "worst case" scenario and while unlikely, Tech has a plan in place to deal with such an event.

Where do you go for up-to-date information on campus emergencies or class cancellations resulting from Y2K problems?
If a decision is made to declare the CAMPUS CLOSED, Institute Communications and Public Affairs (ICPA) will notify the local radio and television stations in accordance with previously made arrangements. Employees and students can call (404) 894-2000, Campus Information, or visit the Tech Y2K Web site <http://www.year2000.gatech.edu/> to obtain the most up-to-date and accurate campus status information. In addition, radio stations WSB (AM 750) and WGST (AM 640 & 105.7 FM) will also carry campus status information. DO NOT CALL THE UNIVERSITY POLICE FOR INFORMATION -- CALL THEM ONLY TO REPORT LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES.

While the likelihood of closure is quite low, it is not possible to predict how long any closure or cancellation of classes may last. As soon as local utilities and other essential services are restored the Institute will resume day to day operations.

What can you do to prepare for Y2K?
The Tech Y2K Team has the following tips for everyone ON CAMPUS. Please do the following to help make sure we all have a smooth transition into the New Year:

* Unplug any computers or electrical appliances before leaving for the holiday break or before "Zero Day." If you can't unplug something, turn it off.

* Install anti-virus software on all computers and keep virus definitions up-to-date. It is very likely that there will be increased Y2K related computer virus activity.

* Make sure that you upgrade all computer software to Y2K compliant versions.

* Don't be on campus if you don't have to be here during the rollover to 2000.

* Have a flashlight, extra batteries, bottled water, and enough nonperishable food to last three to four days.

* Limit calls to campus -- especially to the Tech Police Department -- emergency calls only. BellSouth advises everyone to stay off the phone at midnight unless absolutely necessary.

* Call Campus Information (404) 894-2000 or visit the Tech Y2K News Web site <http://www.year2000.gatech.edu/news/> for the status of the campus before returning.

The American Red Cross offers the following Y2K Checklist to help you prepare whether you will be on or off campus on "Zero Day":

* Check with manufacturers of any essential computer-controlled electronic equipment that you own to see if it may be affected. This includes appliances, consumer electronics, and any other electronic equipment in which an "embedded chip" may control its operation.

* Stock disaster supplies to last several days to a week for yourself and those who live with you. This includes having nonperishable foods, stored water, and an ample supply of prescription and nonprescription medications that you regularly use.

* Have some extra cash or traveler's checks on hand in case electronic transactions involving ATM cards, credit cards, and the like cannot be processed. Keep cash or traveler's checks in a safe place, and withdraw money from your bank in small amounts well in advance of 12/31/99.

* As you would in preparation for a winter storm, keep your automobile gas tank above half full.

* In case the power fails, plan to use alternative cooking devices in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. (If on campus, follow residential hall guidelines). Don't use open flames or charcoal grills indoors.

* Have extra blankets, coats, hats, and gloves to keep warm. Please do not plan to use gas-fueled appliances, like an oven, as an alternative-heating source. The same goes for wood-burning or liquid-fueled heating devices that are not designed to be used in a residential structure. Camp stoves and heaters should only be used out of doors in a well-ventilated area. If you do purchase an alternative-heating device, make sure it is approved for use indoors and is listed with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

* Have plenty of flashlights and extra batteries on hand. Don't use candles for emergency lighting.

* If you have smoke alarms that are hard-wired into your home's electrical system (most newer ones are), check to see if they have battery back-ups.

* Be prepared to relocate to a shelter for warmth and protection during a prolonged power outage or if for any other reason local officials request or require that you leave your home. Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for information about where shelters will be available.

* If you plan to use a portable generator, connect what you want to power directly to the generator. Do not connect the generator to your home's electrical system. Also, be sure to keep a generator in a well-ventilated area either outside or in a garage, keeping the door open. Don't put a generator in your basement or anywhere inside your home.

Where can I find out more information?
In addition to technical resources in your department, school or college, there are a variety of information sources. For Tech Y2K emergency information and links to other Y2K-related Web sites, visit the Tech Y2K Web site <http://www.year2000.gatech.edu/>.

Having taken the above steps in preparation for Y2K, campus officials view "Zero Day" just as they would any other unusual occurrence, such as a winter storm dumping five feet of snow on the metro area or a campus-wide power outage due to construction crews cutting service to all of midtown.

					-END-


Office of Information Technology
Media and Public Relations
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0700  U.S.A.
PHONE 404-894-8997
FAX 404-894-0066

A Unit of the University System of Georgia		
An Equal Education and Employment Opportunity Institution






-- 
MILLS,TONI L. (Program Coordinator II-Public Relations) (404) 894-8997
Office of Information Technology - Resource Management
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332-0700 
Internet: toni.mills@oit.gatech.edu          Have a great day! :-)