When is the 1.9 freeze?

I'd like to export test/unit as a rubygem and replace it with miniunit.

miniunit is:

+ 100% compatible with existing tests (including tests to verify).
+ less than 10% of the code (3571 loc vs 304).
+ documents all the method it uses so it is ideal for language  
implementors.
- 0% compatible with all the other bells and whistles of test/unit  
(runners)
+ meaning: it is console only.
+ However, being incredibly small makes it a LOT easier to hook into.
   + it has already been hooked into via Phil's augment project.

I'm also working with the rubinius crew's minirspec to see if the two  
can't merge and share a common base. If they can, I'd love to import  
minirspec into ruby as well (it'd be a VERY clean addition to  
miniunit) so that ruby ships compatible either testing philosophy out  
of the box.

I've talked to matz about this change and he approved for 1.9, but I  
don't know if I have to time to do it w/in the timeframe of the freeze.

I'd also like to open up the possibility of making this change on the  
1.8 side as well, but that is a different email. :)