Area code 434 starts June 1

Beginning June 1, the Charlottesville/Albemarle area, in addition to 17 neighboring counties, will begin using a new area code — 434. Portions of additional counties affected by the area code change include: southern Greene, southwestern Louisa, eastern Bedford, southern Cumberland, southwestern Sussex, extreme southeastern Dinwiddie and southern Prince George counties. The 804 number will still cover Richmond and the surrounding area. The boundaries for area codes 540, 571, 703 and 757 will not change.

Between June 1, 2001, and Jan. 15, 2002, either area code will work. After that time, the new area code will become mandatory. Now is the time to begin making the necessary changes at the University. Offices and departments will need to change phone numbers on all printed materials, such as stationery, letterhead, envelopes, business cards, checks and banking forms. In addition, e-mail signatures, fax machines, Web sites and voice-mail recordings with area codes should also be changed.

This would be a good time to consider using the new U.Va. logo on reprinted materials.

For information, see http://www.bell-atl.com/areacode/pages/804-434.htm