Yale's Y2K passed problem-free

Along with millions of other computer experts worldwide, staff members of Yale's Information Technology Services (ITS) spent New Year's Eve away from the crowds, the noise, and the parties. Due to the infamous Y2K problem, a number of ITS staffers kept their eyes glued to their computers to ensure that Yale's information network glided smoothly from Sat., Dec. 31, 1999 to Sun., Jan. 1, 2000. And, like the rest of the world, nothing really happened during the turnover.

The ease of the Y2K change was due largely to the fact that ITS has been preparing for 2000 for a number of years. According to Daniel Updegrove, the head of ITS, "Most of us on the Y2K team felt that by mid-November or so the University was in very good shape, barring any extreme weather or extremist behavior."

However, ITS decided not to take any chances. Herbert Mudie, the head of Yale's Y2K project, says that 35 members of the ITS staff and approximately 70 other Yale facilities employeesworked through the New Year to make sure no problems arose in the network. The team set up a command center at 100 Church St. and began testing and monitoring Yale's systems. In an assessment published on Yale's web site, they reported "a smooth transition from 1999 to 2000."

The Y2K experts, according to Mudie, "first watched the infrastructure...power, water, telecom." After these main systems were tested, other adminstrative systems were tested. When no problems were reported, the Command Center was closed at around 2 a.m. Mudie summed up the Y2K rollover: "It was the expected non-event."

In the aftermath of the Y2K turnover, some experts pointed to the massive amount spent by the organizations and businesses on Y2K upgrades as excessive. They pointed out that Russia spent a fraction of the amount the U.S. spent on Y2K upgrades but did not have any Y2K-related problems.

Yale itself has been working on Y2K upgrades for years. Yale completely overhauled its administrative systems in the process of making Y2K upgrades. But since the Y2K projects were decentralized and involved many departments, neither Updegrove or Mudie could cite the exact amount that Yale spent on Y2K.

Mudie and Updegrove defended their caution. "We didn't give up our New Year's for fun," Mudie said. He also pointed out that the Y2K project was an opportunity for many departments to upgrade their systems. Updegrove also said that small problems could have caused major catastrophes. "Even minor Y2K problems could have been exacerbated by the risk to buildings of any heating or electrical systems failure, as well as the potential inability of key staff to respond quickly if they were occupied with household emergencies or unable to travel."

The long night wasn't all business. "At midnight, [University Secretary] Linda Lorimer, LAW '77, opened a few bottles of champagne," Mudie said.

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