Tuesday, August 31, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 3
University should avoid year 2000 computer bug
By Nathan Willis
By Nathan Willis writer@kanson.com
Kansan stuff writer
The University of Kansas is bracing for the impact of the so-called year 2000 computer bug, and administrators in charge of dealing with the problem say
they're confident the action being taken will prevent chaos on Jan 1.
Even in the worst-case scenario, students should not return from winter break expecting to find a campus in electronic disarray, Gary Weishaar, associate director of engineering for facilities operations, said. But no one can know for sure until it actually happens, he said.
"Nobody's anticipating any problems. but
YEAR 2000
COMPLIANCE
Compliant systems:
- **Enrollment**
- **Libraries**
- **KU ID**
- **Network and modem connections**
- **Financial aid**
- **Admissions**
- **Computer labs**
Non-compliant systems:
- **Payroll**
- **Some departmental computers**
with such an unprecedented thing, no one's going to go out on a limb and say they're 100 percent certain," Weishaar said.
The University has already upgraded most of its critical computer systems, Beth Warner, assistant to the vice chancellor for information services and year 2000 coordinator, said. The remaining critical systems should be upgraded by the end of the year, she said.
"We will be there by the end of the year, except for a few minor things that won't make much difference," Warner said.
Marili Goodyear, vice chancellor for information services, said that of the University's administrative computer systems, only the payroll system still needed to be upgraded and tested. That should happen in October, she said.
She said the last upgrade was the libraries' computer system, which took place about two weeks ago. Other systems that have been upgraded are the enrollment system and all the general-use student
computer labs. Goodyear said.
KUIDs and on-campus network and modem connections for personal computers are compliant, she said.
tions for personal computers are compliant, she said. However, facilities operations hasn't finished upgrading systems yet, which include managing energy and emergency power, but Wishaisa said upgrades to all critical systems would be completed before the new year. Most upgrades, such as those to campus buildings' fire alarms, were already finished, he said.
"As near as we can tell, we're pretty much already compliant." Weishaar said.
There are. however. some areas of concern.
One area is the computer systems that belong to departments within the University. Goodyear said that departments were responsible for taking care of their own equipment and that because there was no centralized process for reporting progress, no one knew how much progress individual departments had made.
Information services has provided a Web site (www.ukans.edu/~its/reports/y2k/home.html) that gives departments advice on coordinating their efforts. Goodyear said that judging from the number of hits on the site and e-mail questions, departments are actively trying to fix bugs.
Now, the biggest challenge may be making sure that entities outside the campus, upon which the University depends, are compliant.
Goodyear said the federal government had almost completed upgrades of the systems it used to distribute federal grants, scholarships and loans. But not all outside organizations could guarantee compliance, she said.
"The biggest potential threat now is that the electrical grid could go down, and the gas and water," Goodyear said.
But she said she had received reassurances from the University's electrical, gas and water providers, and that even if there were a problem, the University was modifying its disaster contingency plan for problems associated with the computer bug.
That, Goodyear said, meant that even if there were problems, they should be corrected by the time students return for class in January.
- Edited by Jennifer Roush
Campus auto burglaries drop
by michael ferry
writee@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Bv Michael Terrv
Like most students, when Tom Abell, Boulder, Colo., freshman, first came to the University of Kansas three weeks ago, he never thought that he would be a victim of auto burglary.
"I was shocked when I got down to my car and realized it had been broken into," Abell said. "I guess I had a false sense of security, but I'll be more careful in the future so hopefully this will never happen again."
and loss, Sgt. Troy Mailen said.
Abell's CD car stereo, amplifier and CDs were stolen from his car, which were valued at more than $700.
The start of a new school year is an especially busy time for the public safety department in dealing with cases involving property damage
Lt. Schuyler Bailey of the KU Public Safety Office said there were 233 reported cases of burglary from motor vehicles on campus in 1998. Bailey said that figures showed a decrease in auto burglaries from previous years.
"Over the past week our department has seen a higher than usual number of thefts from vehicles in KU parking lots," Mailen said. "With the start of a new school year students are preoccupied with other activities and do not pay as close of attention to their surroundings as they should."
Bailey said that some new students got caught up with being on campus for the first time, which made them less likely to worry about someone breaking into their vehicles.
Abell said he was aware of the possibility of auto burglary because his brother's car had been broken into when he went away to college, and he took some steps to prevent a break-in.
"I never really thought, though, that it would happen to me, but I guess it was wrong," he said.
Mailen said KU public safety officers were on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week and work in three 10-hour shifts, so that officers' shifts overlapped.
"At any given time our department can have as many as six officers out patrolling the campus for illegal
AVOIDING AUTO THEFT
- Remember to lock doors when leaving vehicles for any period of time.
- out of the vehicle whenever possible.
Park vehicles in well-lighted areas.
- Don't keep anything of value in plain sight. Take stereos and CDs
activity." Malen said. "Our peak time for officers is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. when a majority of the illegal activity takes place, like thefts from motor vehicles."
"It's as simple as always remembering to take everything that's of value out of your vehicle," he said. "Or lock your door so you won't give possible thieves any motive to want to break into your vehicle."
Mailen said that students needed to take the time to make their vehicles less likely targets.
If students think someone looks suspicious they should call the KU Public Safety Office and report it, Mailen said. KU Crimestoppers offers a monetary reward for information leading to a suspect or an arrest.
Edited by Jamie Knodel
SUA revives holiday trip to Missouri
Student Union Activities is offering students a way to spend one of the last weekends of summer on the water.
By Emily Hughey writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
SUA is sponsoring a Labor Day weekend canoe trip in the Ozarks.
John Edwards, SUA program advisor, said about 30 people would be sent down the Jack's Fork and Current rivers Sept. 3 through 5 in Eminence, Mo.
"We're excited," he said. "A lot of people are involved this year, and it's something we've done in the past. I think we've always done a really good job."
The group, which will consist of both students and non-students, will depart Friday afternoon and arrive in Eminence Friday evening. Participants will canoe all day Saturday and
hair the d a y
S u n d a y and camp in tents at night.
The cost is $70 for
University of
Kansas
students
and $80 for
non-stu-
dent s
CANOE TRIP
What: Student Union Activities Canoe Trip
When: Friday,
Sept. 3 through
Sunday, Sept. 5
Where:
Emmeence, Mo.
Cost: $70 for MU
students, $80 for
non-students
Eminence, Mo.
Although the cost covers canoe rental, campground reservations and meals — including a catered meal Saturday night — participants must have their own camping equipment.
Edwards said participants could rent equipment for an extra cost at Wilderness Discovery at the Jaybowl.
However, some students are borrowing equipment from friends.
Dan Waters, Wichita freshman, said his friend was loaming him camping gear. He also said his primary reason for going was to meet new people.
"I love going out, and I especially love rivers," Waters said. "And it's a nice way to meet people."
He said the cost had no effect on his decision to go on the trim.
In addition to low costs and the opportunity to make friends, Cameron Popp, SUA president, said there were other reasons to go on the trip.
"It's beautiful down there," he said. "People come back every year just gushing with how wonderful it is."
Popp said there was no trip last year because SUA did not begin planning early enough. He said he thought this year's trip would be a success.
Interested students can attend an information meeting at 7:30 tonight at the Pine Room in the Kansas Union.
Edited by Jamie Knodel
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