##model

class Submission < ActiveRecord::Base

  @@open_date = Date.new(2006,7, 1)
  @@close_date = @@open_date+30

##Controller

class SubmissionController < ApplicationController
  before_filter :check_date
  cattr_accessor :close_date

  def check_date
    if Date.today > Submission.close_date
      redirect_to(:action => 'closed', :controller => 'application')
    end
  end