What is Albion Today?

Albion Today is a daily electronic communication tool that allows students, faculty and staff to communicate information to other students, faculty and staff thru a daily distribution of information utilizing the Albion College email system.  The concept behind Albion Today is to compile information and send just one email per day on announcement topics. 

How do I submit items to Albion Today?

You may submit your information utilizing a web form.  To add an announcement, simply click the "Submit Item" box located at the top or bottom of this page.  Fill in all of the information boxes and hit the "Submit Event" box when complete.

Note:  Copying and pasting text from Microsoft Word into the Albion Today announcement system can create problems with your text as the copying brings along with it certain programming code.  Most notably is that it causes apostrophes and quotation marks to insert various symbols.  In certain circumstances it can delete all or portions of your message.  To make sure your message is correct, please type the text directly into the web form fields and do not use the copy/paste function.   

The web form provides options for you to select the audience you wish to receive your announcement.   You may choose from students, academicstaff (faculty only), staff (faculty and administrative staff), or everyone.

Keep in mind; the name of the contact person along with his/her email address will accompany the event or announcement information.  A message will not be sent without a contact name and email address.  

Please be brief and concise in your submission of information. Unfortunately, Albion Today cannot accept pictures, clip art, or file attachments. Please be sure to double-check your submission to make sure your information is complete. In the case of events, Who, What, Where, and When are important pieces for each entry. Also you should check spelling and grammar, as your message will appear just as you submit it.

Note:  Those users using Moxilla Firefox as an internet browser may experience an error similar to "googleman.albion.edu uses an invalid security certificate."  To continue to use the Firefox browser, you must install the certificate exemption.  For instructions please visit:  http://www2.albion.edu/it/networking/175-configure-firefox-to-trust-albion-college-web-certificates .  If you need further assistance with the installing of the exemption certificate, please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 517-629-0479.  If you continue to experience problems accessing the submission page, try using Internet Explorer as your internet browser. 

What are the deadlines for submitting information?

Announcements will be sent daily at 10:00 AM.  In order to get your announcement included in the email you must have your announcement item(s) submitted by 8:00 AM the day the information is to be sent.  Keep in mind you can submit items several days in advance so you don't have to wait until the day before or day of to submit. 

Albion Today now has the ability to send messages on Saturday and Sunday.  However, in order for a message to be sent on Saturday or Sunday, you must submit your item prior to 8:00 AM on Friday (the Friday before the weekend you want your message sent).  No one will be available to approve messages on Saturday or Sunday which is why you must have your item submitted by Friday morning, 8:00 AM.     

Please know that the Albion Today will be compiled and distributed only once each day.   It is important you plan ahead to make sure you meet the appropriate deadline.  If you forget to add an announcement or make an error, you will have to wait until the following day to make the correction.  Only one Albion Today email message will be sent per day.

*Utilizing electronic media, certain situations may occur outside the control of the Campus Programs and Organizations Office. If for any reason technology or other issues prevent the distribution from occurring at 10:00 a.m., the information will be sent as quickly as possible once the problem(s) have been rectified.   

What if the Information I submitted has a mistake?

You cannot correct mistakes in the announcement through the web site.  To make a correction please call the Office of Campus Programs at 517-629-0433 and ask for an Albion Today editor.  The Albion Today Editor will be able to delete the message(s) with the incorrect information.   The person who submitted the information will then have to re-submit a new entry with the corrected copy/information. 

Who can use Albion Today?

Albion Today is an internal communication vehicle and is not intended for use by members outside of the Albion College community.  All items must be submitted by a current Albion College Student, Faculty, or Staff member.

What are the guidelines for Albion Today?

Albion Today should be used to advertise upcoming events and forward announcements that the general population would find helpful. As with any other posting on campus, submitted items must be in good taste and conform to the expectations Albion College holds as an academic institution. No mention of alcohol may occur in postings advertising any event. Personal notices in general, and especially those listing “For Sale” as well as “Lost and Found” items, will not be approved.

Notices intended for a small population or to a particular group should also not be placed in the Albion Today. Organizations should not use Albion today to post weekly and/or routine meeting times. Please take the time to establish organizational distribution lists to communicate with other club and organizational members.

The Campus Programs and Organizations Office has the right to approve or deny submissions based upon acceptable use of the Albion Today information distribution and expectations of Albion College.

Is Albion Today the same as the campus calendar?

The Albion Today is intended to be a reminder of events and listings of up-to-date information. The Albion Today does not replace the campus calendar in any way. For a complete listing of events on a particular day, please view the campus calendar at http://www.albion.edu/calendar.