Folks, Earlier this year, we (Cornell) confronted two events that have had serious implications for the GateDaemon project. Our NSF grant ended in April and the GateD technical leadership has been drawn onto higher priority projects for our campus. At that time, we determined we had three choices in regards to the future of GateD project: a) continue with a maintenance/modest enhancement focus b) shut the project down completely or c) find GateD a new caretaker. Because we believe the GateD continues to be important to the Internet community and requires development and enhancement beyond mere bug-fixes, we chose c) as our plan of action. I am pleased to announce that we are close to reaching closure on the transfer of the GateD project, software and the GateD Consortium to MERIT Network Systems for the University of Michigan. They agree to assume all obligationsand duties of the Licensor of the GateD redistribution licenses and as the Lead Institution under the current GateD Consortium agreement. They are receiving all consortium revenues for fiscal yr 95-96 and beyond, to support this project. They agree to operate the Consortium as provided by the agreements for a period of one year. I have complete confidence in the MERIT staff, led by Elise Gerich, to guide GateD into the future. Susan Hares will be the primary technical contact. They will give this project a burst of energy and focus from their unique position in the Internetworking world. I sincerely hope you will join me in supporting MERIT for the University of Michigan as the new Lead institution. You may contact Elise Gerich at epg@merit.edu or Susan Hares at skh@merit.edu University of Michigan Merit Network Systems 4251 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2785 telephone: 313-764-9430 FAX: 313-747-3185 Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I am continuing to work on the GateD Consortium as we wrap up the final details of the handoff. The Cornell Office of Sponsored Programs will be sending out an official notice to redistribution license holders and consortium members via paper mail in the near future. Best Regards, Martyne M. Hallgren Executive Director Cornell GateD Consortium