Frequently Asked Questions 

What Calendar Administrators Need to Know

Can I list co-sponsors for my event?

Yes.  When the event is entered, the calendar administrator can select from a list of available groups to co-sponsor the event.  When users view any of the co-sponsoring groups' events in the calendar, the event will appear.  The event will also be available in XML feeds for each of the co-sponsoring groups.  If the co-sponsoring group is not in the list of calendar groups, you can list the co-sponsoring group in your event's description and contact the calendar administrator at calendaring@duke.edu if you would like the group to be created in the calendar.
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How can I get my event published on buzz, Duke's Student Calendar?

In January 2009, the buzz student calendar was launched as an event calendar of events by and/or intended primarily for students in contrast with Events@Duke,which is the official institutional event calendar.  Most university groups are set up so their events publish on Events@Duke while student organizations are set up so their events publish on buzz.  There are a few groups whose events are automatically published on both calendars.

When creating your event to be published on the calendar, you will be asked the following questions at the bottom of your event.

 The Events@Duke calendar is the official institutional calendar for University events.  Buzz is the official institutional calendar of events targeted for students.  Would you like this event to be published in both calendars?

If you would like your event to be considered for both calendars, check the box next to the question.  The administrators for the calendar will review your request within 48 hours and determine whether the event should be published on both calendars.  If you have any questions about this process, please send en email to calendaring@duke.edu.


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My unit maintains its own calendar of events, which we publish on our public Web site. How can I get these events from our local calendar onto the new calendar?

Duke organizations are encouraged to submit their events to Events@Duke, then technically “consume” those events for publication on their public Web site. The beauty of the new calendar is that you can enter both your public and private (local) events in one place. By default, event entries on the new calendar are published on Events@Duke. However, the new calendar provides the option to mark an event “local.” Local events do not appear on Events@Duke, but are available via your group’s XML feeds for publication on your site. For more information, read about consuming XML feeds.
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If I’m entering my unit’s events into Events@Duke, how do I get them from Events@Duke to my group’s Web site?

You can publish your group’s events, both public and local, to your Web site using the calendar’s XML feed and the PHP or JavaScript templates provided (for script templates, visit oit.duke.edu/calendar/scripts). Blackwell Interactive will work with your IT support, or if you don’t have local support, with your group’s contact, to help you implement these solutions for your site. If you need a more customized solution, contact blackwell@duke.edu for a consultation.
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My group is part of a larger organization, and we have our own Web site. What are our options for publishing events out of the new calendar?

If your group is set up in Events@Duke, you can consume an XML feed for your group that will contain all your group’s events, both public and “local.” If your "parent" organization wants to consume multiple feeds so that all the organizations’ events can be published on its site, that is possible as well. For more information, read about consuming XML feeds.
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My department needs help getting our events from Events@Duke published on our public Web site. Who can we turn to, and will there be a charge?

Read about consuming XML feeds for your group out on Events@Duke.. If you need help, contact Blackwell Interactive at blackwell@duke.edu. If you need more than a feed, for example, a new look and feel to your site, that work will be done as resources are available, and will incur a fee.
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