Utah college presidents' request for $44 million to fix their Year 2000 computer problems has been cut to $12 million.
Higher Education Commissioner Cecelia Foxley said the new figure reflects the minimum amount it will take to fix the most urgent Y2K needs at the nine public colleges and universities.Foxley noted additional future funds will be required to upgrade and protect less essential computer-dependent services and facilities.
The money is needed to fix, reprogram and replace computers and computer chips so they do not crash when their digital calendars click to 2000. Systems that do not have updated, four-digit calendars could read the year "00" as 1900 instead of 2000.
There are about 30,000 personal computers within the state's higher education system. Many college buildings also have outdated embedded chips that control things like building heating and security systems.
Foxley said the $12 million figure reflects a less aggressive plan to replace outdated computers deemed not essential to keeping the schools running. It also does not include reimbursements for money already spent on the problem.