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Computer glitch should be handled quickly

The creation of the computer chip revolutionized the modern world and opened new doors for researchers to explore. Research and exploration have connected the world with satellites, electronic financial systems, the Internet and other technological advances. But nothing is perfect, and neither are computer technologies. Many people and institutions are suffering from a major headache called the Y2K bug. The problem is so big that the U.S. Senate created a special committee headed by Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah), to deal with Y2K by studying its impact on the economy and offering preventative measures to its known effects.

In an effort to save computer memory in a time when it was at a higher premium than today, computer programmers decided to code four-digit years with only two digits. Since then, this decision to save computer space has had a tremendous impact on computer users throughout the world who are now trying to correct programs that will mistakenly assume the year 1900 for 2000. The University is no exception as it attempts to deal with the year 2000 quandary.

A small panel called the Committee to Review the Year 2000 Impact is in charge of the University's effort to minimize the glitch's problems. Under ITD Year 2000 project leader Gloria Thiele's leadership, a Website, http://www.year2000.umich.edu was created to provide information and resources for students and faculty. But even with the committee's efforts to bring the Y2K question to the attention of the University community, some people are still either unaware or apathetic at the moment. The Y2K problem will not be solved or have its impact minimized, if this continues.

Part of the solution is to reprogram computers. But the other major portion of the solution involves testing computers with simulations of functions performed before the turn of this century. The Committee needs to be more vocal about the urgency of the Y2K problem and University students and faculty should put this issue on their agendas. Time and foresight are needed to test possible solutions.

Another major problem facing the committee is the decentralized computer environment of the University. Each University department runs its own separate computer system, creating a major coordination and accountability problem for any organized effort to combat the bug. The committee should be commended for the successful way in which it has addressed this issue. It has appointed representatives from each of the University's academic divisions to coordinate their respective efforts.

The committee successfully identified two problem areas within the centrally managed computer infrastructure - payroll and financial-aid systems. Several computer programs will be replaced and testing will begin at the beginning of next year.

Although University members may associate this problem with just government, banks, businesses and other large institutions, it will have a great impact on students, especially if no plans are made for their computer corrections. The Committee to Review the Year 2000 Impact has made a tremendous effort to address the Y2K problem. University faculty and students must do the rest. The University has provided the resources and information to deal with this near-future problem and people now must take advantage of this service.

09-21-98