Yale has for several years been taking steps to address the "Year 2000" or "Y2K" issue. The goal of this ongoing University-wide effort is to avert or minimize any problems in computer systems or devices with embedded computer chips caused by the date change from 1999 to 2000.
Extensive testing of University systems and operations has been performed, including testing of all utilities and security systems. Where necessary, systems have been upgraded or replaced to ensure that they are Year 2000 "compliant" and will not fail or malfunction because of the date change. In addition, Yale has worked closely with governments, utilities, vendors and others on Year 2000 issues.
The bulk of the work at Yale to remedy any potential Year 2000 problems has been completed. University officials responsible for its systems and operations do not anticipate that Yale will experience any significant Y2K events.
Prudence requires, however, that the University be prepared to respond quickly and effectively to any Year 2000 problem, no matter how unlikely. Accordingly, the University will have appropriate personnel working and on-call during the Dec. 23-Jan. 3 recess period.
It is possible that individual faculty, staff and students will experience Year 2000 problems if they have not ensured that their computers, data and equipment are compliant. The University will also be prepared to offer advice and support to members of the University community who encounter Year 2000 problems of their own (The ITS Help Desk telephone numbers are (203) 432-9000 for central campus and (203) 785-3200 for the School of Medicine).
Following are sources of general and Yale-specific Y2K information, as well as Y2K tips for the Yale community.
Telephone: Call (203) 432-2000 for a recorded message about the status of Y2K monitoring at Yale.
Internet: The University Web site will have a link to Year 2000-related information regarding the University, including the current Yale Web sites devoted to the issue.
News Media: Tune in to a major Connecticut television or radio station in your area for information about any significant Y2K events involving Yale. The University has informed the following stations that it will supply them with any timely news or advisories of interest to Yale's community:
* Television Stations: WTIC, WFSB, WVIT, WTNH, WEDN, WEDY, WEDH, WEDW
* Radio Stations: WELI-AM (960) , WAVZ-AM (1300), WNPR-FM (89.1), WKCI-FM (101.3), WEDW-FM (88.5), WPKT-FM (90.5), WDRC-FM (102.9)
Back up any important computer data files. This is, of course, a wise precaution at any time.
Turn off all non-essential electrical and other equipment, including computers and lights. Unplug your personal computer and other electronic devices or install surge protectors or an uninterruptable power supply (UPS). However, leave long-running servers undisturbed.
Staff members should take home paper copies of any telephone calling trees they may need, as well as any other information that they should have if they are on-call during the recess as part of the University's Year 2000 effort or a department's contingency plans.
Many computer users at Yale receive apparent "virus warnings" from friends and colleagues as email. Often these warnings urge the recipient to distribute them widely. Most of these virus warnings are hoaxes aimed at causing confusion.
Yale expects the incidence of virus hoaxes to increase as the Year 2000 approaches. If you do not already use virus protection software (Norton Anti-Virus is recommended) on your computer, you should install it; otherwise, you should update your virus definitions and scan your computer for viruses now and just before the recess period.
If you receive a message warning of a computer virus that is not from Yale ITS or ITS-Med, forward it immediately to ITS at information.security@yale.edu. Do not otherwise distribute it. ITS will inform you if the warning was legitimate.
More information is available on-line at: www.yale.edu/
Yale's "front door," www.yale.edu, will have a link to Y2K-related information established prior to the holiday recess.
Other Web sites of interest:
* www.yale.edu/year2000 (Year 2000 Project at Yale)
* www.med.yale.edu/computing/year2000 (Year 2000 Project at the School of Medicine)
* http://www.y2k.state.ct.us (State of Connecticut)
The following pieces of advice and information are offered to those working in the Yale Medical Center:
* Consider the possibility of power outages during New Year's weekend as you plan procedures and activities for that time.
* You can download Norton Anti-Virus from http://its.med.yale.edu/software/.
* Know your department's Y2K contact person.
* Determine whether you need to assign staff to monitor areas and research that would be vulnerable if power fails or is interrupted during the recess period.
* Consider generating redundant samples and storing them in separate locations.
* Cap all chemical bottles and reagent containers to minimize vapor contamination in the event of a power outage.
* Stock flashlights and batteries and, if you are in the School of Medicine during a power outage, safeguard your area and leave the building.
* Elevators in the School of Medicine will be brought off-line starting at about 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve and brought back up starting at about 12:15 a.m. on New Year's Day.
* Building Services and Operations will have dry ice available on New Year's Eve to support key freezers and refrigerators in the unlikely event of a power outage. It will be available at the BCMM loading dock and the Brady Memorial Courtyard. The use of dry ice should enable you to maintain critical temperature ranges well beyond any power outages that might occur.
* Do not bring generators into the School Medicine.
* Herbert C. Mudie, Year 2000 Project Manager, ITS, at (203) 432-9572 or herbert.mudie@yale.edu
* Faith McGrath, Year 2000 Project Manager, School of Medicine, at (203) 737-4087 or faith.mcgrath@
The American Red Cross is one of the reputable agencies that has issued recommendations for the Year 2000 rollover.
The recommendations are similar to the "common sense" advice you would expect if a winter storm presented the prospect of power outages. In other words, the Red Cross believes it always makes sense, among other things, to:
* Stock supplies of non-perishable foods and water to last for several days.
* Check smoke alarms and have flashlights and spare batteries on hand. Do not use candles in the event of a power outage.
* Have some extra cash on hand in the event you cannot access an ATM or use a credit card.
Also take note: You should make these preparations well before the end of the year to avoid being part of a rush that causes problems or inconvenience unrelated to any Year 2000 problem tied to computers or devices with embedded chips.
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