So far, so good. After nearly two weeks, Penn State has had an orderly transition from 1999 to 2000. While some computer processes won't go into operation until the end of the month or even the end of the year, it looks like the preparation and hard work have kept the Y2K bug at bay, even though isolated Y2K problems may still surface.
Gary C. Schultz, senior vice president for finance and business/treasure, extends thanks to University employees across the state for their hard work.
"With your help, we were well prepared to deal with the worst, and I know we are all pleased that the transition went so smoothly," he said. Across the nation, government officials were calling the transition to 2000 one of the most reliable end-of-year computer operations ever. It is estimated that nearly 1 million people were closely monitoring the nation's computer systems on Dec. 31.
For Penn State, the past two years of testing and upgrading computer systems and the coordination of the Y2K committees has involved more than 300 University computer specialists and thousands of individual users as well as the many people who were poised to respond should problems occur.
Not only did everything run smoothly, Penn State is beginning the year 2000 with a solid technology infrastructure for the future, according to Gary Augustson, vice provost for information technology. Never before have University systems -- including about 40,000 date-sensitive computers and other electronic devices -- been as up-to-date as they are now.
While particular faculty, staff and students may have difficulty with individual computer applications, no major Y2K problems have surfaced. Those who do have problems can contact the Year 2000 Support Center at http://www.psu.edu/Year2000/support.html or by telephone at (814) 865-4Y2K (4925).
"Our focus on the state of information technology across all Penn State campuses certainly helped some offices and updated antiquated equipment," Augustson said.
For example, when the Office of Physical Plant started investigating potential Y2K glitches, workers there found they needed to replace hardware and software on the Central Control System-- the computer that controls all building environmental systems.
"If we had not done that, I am convinced the system would have failed," said William J. Anderson, assistant vice president for physical plant.
In addition, the Y2K coordination gave the University an unusual opportunity to gauge procedures for emergency operations, community coordination and HAM radio connections that looked good on paper, but now have been put to the test as well. The University also was able to test its coordination with CERT -- Computer Emergency Response Team -- at Carnegie Mellon that monitors hacker attempts around the globe.
As for the actual, magical, bewitching hour, "The Year 2000 came and no lights flickered," Kenneth Babe told reporters at the 12:30 a.m. news briefing, New Year's Eve at the Y2K Continuity Center in Eisenhower Parking Deck.
Babe, who is the University's corporate controller, was the senior administrator in charge of Y2K monitoring over the holiday weekend. Throughout the night more than 200 Penn State employees gave up part of their weekend to be on watch for the Y2K bug. Even President Graham B. Spanier paid a call to the Continuity Center shortly before midnight to cheer on staff in anticipation of the moment when the clock would usher in the new year.
While some research projects requiring uninterrupted power and constant temperatures were hooked to special systems and propane heaters were ready to keep animals warm, the emergency power generators stayed silent, the HAM radio operators still had nothing to do, and the emergency phones stayed in the box.
Power to the dairy barns worked, the elevators in Oswald Tower were operational, parties at The Nittany Lion Inn were in full swing -- everyone had water, heat and light and everyone went home in good cheer.
On duty that night were several University Park administrators, including Augustson and Anderson as well as John Romano, vice provost for enrollment management, and Stephany Romano, instructor in health policy and administration, who hosted a Y2K thank-you party at The Nittany Lion Inn for staff working that night. Also on duty was Robert Finley, assistant vice president for business, commonwealth operations, who was ready to respond to problems at the University Park Airport or at any of the other Penn State campuses. The only call he got was about a plane flying overhead to watch the fireworks on the Old Main Lawn.
Across the hall, however, phones were ringing off the hook. University staff members were recording Y2K status information from all campuses as they called in shortly after midnight, with Penn State Abington being the first to give the OK. In addition to the regular overnight staff, about 80 campus people were on duty to check sensitive systems. By 1:45 a.m. all campuses had phoned in to report power, light, heat and other critical systems were unaffected by Y2K.
In addition, all the Centre Region municipalities near the University Park campus, the Centre Community Hospital, 911 and other major community services were calling in to Centre Region Emergency Operation Center staff, who worked alongside with the Penn Staters in the room to report on their Y2K status. Clifford Lutz, supervisor for Penn State Police Services, coordinated the regional emergency operation center.
Throughout the weekend, computer coordinators at all campuses checked vital systems from phones and data backbone operations to elevators and utilities, and staff in the Year2000 Support Center will continue to take calls and offer assistance on Y2K related issues for weeks to come.
For an NPR report on Penn State's preparation, go to Public Information's Latest News Web page at http://www.psu.edu/ur/pinews, and for more information on Y2K at Penn State, go to http://www.psu.edu/Year2000 on the Web.
At press time, Intercom was notified that people logging into Penn State's Comprehensive Academic Advising and Information System (CAAIS) could experience some minor problems.
Several people attempting to use CAAIS have received a message from their Web browser indicating that their "certificate has expired." The wording of the message is different depending on which type and version of browser (ie. Netscape) is being used. The recommended solution to the problem is to upgrade the browser on your machine to a more current version.
For more information, go to the Web at http://caais.oas.psu.edu/website/expiredcertificate.html.