This is only a test. Except when it isn't.

On Friday afternoon, IUB officials tested the new emergency alert system, in which all members of the IU community (faculty, staff, students) get contacted in the event of, well, an emergency. These systema re being put into place on campuses all over the country, in large part as a response to the terrible shootings at Virgina Tech in April 2007. At IU, the tests went smoothly. I got two phone messages and an email; anyone who had submitted a cell phone number got a text message. Kudos to IU, for installing this precautionary system and for successfully implementing it.

And for using it, early Saturday morning.

You cannot buy this kind of publicity

IU is still red hot on the east coast. See?

Send this link to your kids!

It's an MSNBC story about how college students can avoid crippling debt and learn some good financial management habits.