Now, with Y2K just a few short weeks away, the project coordinators' work seems to be nearing completion.

This past Monday morning, the most recent report to the University-wide committee met with good results; the contingency planning process in each school and central area had been reviewed by the University's Risk

Management and Audit Services, Eagan says.

Currently, 98 percent of the University's critical hardware and more than 97 percent of its software has been designated compliant. Eagan says remaining hardware and software that is not yet compliant either will be by year's end or is already backed by contingency plans.

To ensure that the Harvard community remains informed about the status of the schools and offices, the Year 2000 Project has activated a telephone help line. The number is (617) 384-2000 from outside Harvard; if calling from within the school's phone system, the number 4-2000.

On Dec. 23, when the University officially shuts down for winter break, the line will switch to an automated system with recorded announcements from school and central service areas, giving status over the holiday period.

In the long run, coordinators say all their planning for Y2K has simply left them in better shape to deal with any other random--and far less predictable--disasters that might come their way.