No, the problem is that the 03 in 9703 does not refer to March but to the
third issue of BITEARN  NODES in 1997. In the past  there have been years
with more than 12  issues. So LISTSERV uses the file  date to decide when
the next  issue is expected.  I think the  problem is that  9703 actually
came out in February.

  Eric