“We’ve pretty much done this with all of the computers on the administration side,” Shah said. “This process has worked in the past, and now the question is to do it from the student side.”

Shah said the viral infections had started with a digital epidemic of the “sobigf” virus in August, but that beyond that, the actual viruses causing the problem could not be identified.

Kathy Lang, ITS chief information officer, said that further letters could be delivered to inhabitants of residence halls and university apartments depending on the success of the initial mailing.

“Basically we’re waiting to see how it goes,” Lang said.

As for the timing of the initiative, which is during midterm examinations for most classes, both Lang and Shah said that a program to limit viruses had been in the works for some time, and the large increase in network traffic had forced ITS to take the measure. Lang said the letters were a measure of last resort.

According to Lang, students can restore their connections by installing software from a CD provided by ITS. The software eliminates any viruses on the computer and installs programs to defend against viruses.

Jim Lowrey, head of Library Systems and Automation for Raynor Memorial Libraries, said that the number of students affected by the initial mailing was too insignificant to show any increase in lab usage for the last week.

“There was a bulge this week,” Lowrey said, adding that it was impossible to tell whether lab usage at the facility was increased because of midterms or because of the letters.

At least one resident of the hall said that the timing of the letters had affected her midterm schedule.

Dean of Residence Life Rick Arcuri said he didn’t think the measure was a punishment, rather an action undertaken to ensure that students would have access to necessary services.

“I look at it this way,” Arcuri said. “It’s about protecting services for the entire campus. We might have to disconnect a few ports to keep services. We’re talking about thousands of messages every second.”

Arcuri said that if students did not have the time to install the programs themselves, students can schedule an appointment with technicians through Residence Life to install the software for them.

Shah said that the measure was a matter of protecting crucial network systems, and that ITS was on the side of the students.

“This is in place to protect you as a student,” Arcuri said.,”Brian O’Connor”

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