WMU News

RU ready 4 Y2K?

Nov. 24, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- When the University opens for business on Jan. 3, will campus telephones work? Will returning staff members be able to use their building entry ID cards? Will desktop computers work?

Faculty, staff and students can find out if they are ready for Y2K and learn what steps the University has taken to prepare for the event at a special "Ready for Y2K?" seminar from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in 2000 Schneider Hall.

Presenters will be Greg Lozeau and Kelly Penskar of the Office of Information Technology. Lozeau, assistant director of technical computing services, has been in charge of the risk management and contingency planning aspect of preparing such mission critical systems as student records, payroll and physical plant for the Y2K rollover. Penskar is manager of the University computing Help Desk and has been advising units across the campus on how to make sure equipment is Y2K compliant.

The pair expects to cover questions about software, hardware, protecting data and backing up critical records. They also will talk about new tools available to evaluate Y2K compliance levels. Leaving the technical issues behind, they will discuss the personal steps people need to take to prepare for the rollover.

"We'll be focusing on what steps faculty, staff and students need to take in the 30 days between Dec. 1 and 31," Penskar says. "There will be a formal presentation as well as a question and answer period to address the concerns of those attending."

Penskar says several of the University's technical experts who have been working on the University's Y2K planning will be on hand to help provide detailed information.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 616 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu


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