Eagan and Bradner are expecting to meet with the project sponsors again in September to find out if the plans are "appropriately detailed, complete and have addressed the areas most important to their environment."

In addition, the University's extensive bookkeeping overhaul, known as Project ADAPT, has made the Y2K conversion easier in some respects, since its new methods of keeping track of Harvard's books already took the millennium into account.

As a result, Huidekoper estimates, the University is about 85 percent ready for the year 2000 today and will be 95 percent prepared by September.

She adds, however, that some parts of the University are well ahead of others, and that even in September, some branches will only be 80 percent up to speed.

"YOU CAN'T TEST EVERYTHING"

While the problems posed by, for example, outdated software in the payroll office were predictable enough and could be dealt with, the University is helpless to address any number of remaining problems and can at best come up with plans for dealing with them once they hit.

Huidekoper says the great surprise of the Y2K glitch for Harvard was that its effect on important University functions went well beyond its basic computer software. Computer chips that are not programmed for the millennium control many more functions than officials expected.

"It's less about core systems than about sprinkler systems," Huidekoper says.

Officials are also worried about Y2K problems outside the University, problems that it is powerless to control.

For example, if the date change hits local power companies, Harvard--or even the entire Northeast--could find itself blacked out.

Harvard failed to buy back-up generators early on and, as a result, may well find itself totally in the dark on New Year's Day.

And of course, electricity is more than a luxury for some important areas of the University. A power outage could, for example, destroy important scientific research in Harvard labs.

The only way the University can deal with the problem of outside suppliers is to come up with contingency plans.

Huidekoper says the University will set up a "hotline," which people can call for help with their millennium disasters.

For scientists whose refrigerators break down, she says, "We'll have a SWAT team of people with dry ice."