Another new calendar behavior since upgrading to 3.1.1

Calendar items linked to various users no longer appear on the users' calendars until they are "accepted." In the past, a calendar item appeared immediately and the status of the individual was shown as a "?" until they actually accepted. Is this change intentional? Is there a setting I am missing that would allow the previous process? We have a number of heavy travelers who obviously aren't always connected to the live database, and we need calendar entries to show up on their calendars immediately, as they did before the upgrade.

Any tricks or setting changes that might help?

Thanks!