OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS OPERATING NORMALLY

   COLUMBUS -- Ohio State University administrators and computer specialists have verified that the university’s key operating systems came through the first day of the Y2K transition successfully and are working normally.

   Utilities (electricity, natural gas, water and steam heat), the medical center, housing, safety services, telecommunications, Internet and internal campus computer connections, and animal care are all operating as usual. Other, less vital services will be tested throughout the weekend, but officials do not expect to find any significant problems. As planned, university offices will open on Monday (1/3) and winter quarter classes will begin on Wednesday (1/5).

   “The university put a great deal of work and effort into Y2K planning, and correcting and upgrading areas of potential problems,” said Jim Davis, interim chief information officer. “Together with our utility suppliers and other outside vendors, we were as prepared as we could possibly be for this event, and everything has gone amazingly well so far. Possible effects from Y2K problems are far from over, however. As the University starts back after the holiday break and as various systems are brought back into operation, we will need to continue watching and testing for any Y2K effects. We also need to monitor an assortment of ‘millennium’ viruses. I do want to thank those who worked to make this first day a non-event and to assure our students, faculty and staff that Ohio State is ready for the new year.”

   A detailed report of the status of some 400 key Ohio State operating processes and other Y2K information can be found on the Web at www.osu.edu/year2000.

Contact: Because this is a holiday weekend, our regular phones will not be staffed. Please call (614) 292-8424 to reach our media relations staff on Saturday and Sunday.