Purdue News
Purdue NewsWorld Wide Web users anywhere in the world now can access the information, searching by date, category or keyword. The calendar is at https://www.purdue.edu/calendar/
"We're very excited about this calendar," said Frank Koontz, senior editor for the Purdue News Service who is coordinating the effort. "If you're an alumnus, for example, planning to visit campus, you can consult it to find what events will be going on during your visit. For example, a search for 'homecoming' produces a list of 46 events for the weekend of Oct. 18-20.
"Or if you're interested in just certain topics, say theater, you can select just those entries or keywords and get a complete schedule. A search for 'football' or 'basketball' brings up a list of all the 1996-97 games, both home and away, with starting times, ticket information and a note if the game is to be televised."
Users also can click to build a list by any of these options: today, tomorrow, this week, next week, this month or next month. Another option provides a list of events in nine specific categories: alumni; conferences and lectures; Cooperative Extension Service; entertainment and arts; schools at Purdue; sports (intercollegiate); sports (recreational); students; and other.
The calendar is still under construction, so not every event will be listed, but many already are.
"It already lists more than 500 sports, entertainment and Cooperative Extension Service events, as well as lectures, meetings and conferences," Koontz said.
Each entry contains at least the date, time and location of the event, plus ticket information, where appropriate. Many entries also include a detailed description of the event and the name and phone number of a contact person, with a "hot-link" to that person's e-mail address or to additional information.
The calendar is designed so that authorized faculty, staff and students all across campus eventually will be able to enter events for their school, department or organization without leaving their offices. "The ultimate success of this calendar depends on the participation by a wide variety of Purdue 'authors' who will take responsibility for listing and updating events from their areas," Koontz said. "The more people who contribute, the more useful it will be."
Anyone on campus who wants to volunteer to join a small group of initial authors should contact Koontz at 494-2080.
The calendar was developed by the Purdue News Service and Agricultural Communication Service, based on software provided by Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
Anastassios Petropoulos, a graduate student in aeronautics and astronautics, modified the program provided by Bowling Green. Petropoulos, who is a research assistant in Ag Communication, said he plans to have an improved version up and running by early next year.
CONTACTS: Koontz, (765) 494-2080; home, (765) 742-8371; e-mail, frank_koontz@purdue.edu
Petropoulos, e-mail, stas@ecn.purdue.edu
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