UW plan in place for Y2K

Critical info safe; dangers remain

Critical university information systems - the financial accounting, purchasing, accounts payable, student information, payroll, lab safety and medical centers - are certified Year 2000 compliant. Facilities Services has successfully completed its program of Y2K preparedness. It is expected that utility services to campus buildings will not be disrupted. But that doesn’t mean the new year will roll in without any Y2K glitches.

Facilities Services and Computing & Communications have identified central information equipment and systems for upgrade, modification, replacement or disposal, but individual departments and principal investigators are responsible for fixing their own equipment and developing contingency plans. Even if your department is ready, your research partners or suppliers may experience problems that affect you. Researchers and lab personnel are encouraged to refer to the Lab Safety Update issued by Environmental Health & Safety in November. The Environmental Health & Safety Update newsletter of December 1999 also provides information about the Y2K transition. These newsletters can be accessed at http://www.ehs.washington.edu/updates/index.htm.

Although Facilities Services is confident of power supplies during the transition, it is important to remember that if power is lost, emergency power is very limited. Generally, buildings served by emergency power will have emergency lighting only - no elevator, heat or ventilation services. Most buildings are not served by emergency power, but the UW Medical Center has extensive emergency power. Check the Web site at http://www.washington.edu/computing/2000/ for a list of buildings served by central emergency power.

Faculty and staff should routinely protect their work from electrical surges and outages, and take the following precautions before leaving campus for the New Year’s weekend: