Advice is offered on promoting diversity within the college alumni association, based on the University of Kansas Alumni Association's experience. Suggestions include providing offerings that appeal to everyone; challenging alumni to participate in reaching out to others; and inviting alumni involvement when dissatisfied. (MSE)

Donor recognition societies, or gift clubs, are used by colleges and universities to thank and encourage donors. For such giving mechanisms to fulfill their potential, they must be carefully planned and administered. Issues to consider include setting gift levels based on institutional goals, establishing rules for counting eligible gifts, and…

A student member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's student alumni association discusses numerous advantages of student participation with alumni, including contacts with campus officials, friendships, valuable networking opportunities, job-hunting assistance, and a sense of loyalty; the characteristics of good student members; and factors in…

Arguments for and against formal alumni chapters are outlined. Pros include increased membership, better leadership, and strengthened development potential; cost effectiveness is possible. Cons include direct and indirect costs; informal alumni structures are seen as equally effective. (MSE)

Models for college and university Interinstitutional data sharing are redefined by examining the organization and activities of existing data-sharing groups across 11 dimensions: data-sharing purpose; nature of data-sharing structures; definer of process; calendar; scope of surveys; participant characteristics; source of data-sharing initiative;…

Advice is offered for developing and strengthening college alumni special interest groups. These include setting clear guidelines; striving for membership quantity and enthusiasm; focusing on a mission; developing strong and creative leaders; sharing responsibility among staff; setting reasonable objectives; and finding financial support. (MSE)

The National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Strategic Plan outlines the fundamental purposes, values, and environmental factors of the association. It presents five strategies: to serve and educate association membership through publications, research, and programs; to advocate and support technology use; to expand fiscal resources; to…

A survey of 133 college alumni association directors investigated trends in chapter organization and services. Results revealed new emphases on community service and continuing education to appeal to a younger, more diverse, more career-oriented membership. Although chapter social activities continue, they are less emphasized. (MSE)

A discussion of the constructive role of sororities on college campuses offers a profile of sororities and their members, looks at changes occurring during the sorority experience, weighs benefits and detriments, and offers suggestions for program development and administration that promote healthy student development and leadership models. (MSE)

A study investigated the type, activities, and regional context of alumni associations at 124 2-year colleges. Results indicate the most successful programs had more staff and fiscal resources, were well established, had fewer alumni in the area, were not members of the National Council for Resource Development, and emphasized personal…

Those who manage college alumni association World Wide Web sites should prepare for three trends: (1) alumni Web sites are featuring more valuable offerings, including forms to update personal information, program information, extensive class home pages, and class notes; (2) more campuses are using professional designers; and (3) campuses are…

The National Collegiate Athletic Association's regulation changes concerning student financial aid, program administration, recruiting, association membership, eligibility, association governance, coach employment policy, playing and practice seasons, and amateurism are summarized. (MSE)

A college or university governing board's development committee (or foundation board in a public institution) has both oversight of and broad responsibility for institutional fund-raising activities. Committee members have an additional role that colleagues on other committees do not--active participation in fund-raising. The committee sets goals,…

A survey of almost 150 colleges and universities found many are beginning to use integrated marketing approaches. Institutions report the most significant increases in all targeted areas (annual fund, applicant pool, enrollment yield) when their integrated marketing programs have the support of an alumni or trustee committee. Other findings…

A set of general policies or ground rules is desirable for colleges and universities planning to participate in both basic and more complex data exchanges with other institutions. Participation in data exchange is enhanced by well-defined and comparable institutional memberships, clear organizational objectives and data, high-quality and timely…