The literature indicates that approximately 50% of those who seek a doctoral education complete the degree. Research indicates that persistence is one of the key issues that students struggle with and negatively impacts their ability to graduate. Other factors include the ability to maintain enrollment; topic selection; and ability to maintain a…

Student-run advertising, public relations or integrated communications agencies at colleges and universities give students hands-on client experience, help them develop their professional skills and provide students with an understanding of how to work within an agency structure. For faculty advisers, managing a successful student-run agency can…

When Timothy J. Foley started interviewing Georgetown alumni for the university's advancement office, he was surprised at how open they were. It was not unusual for them to cry or vent as they talked to Mr. Foley, a 2006 graduate who works for the university. The interviews were the centerpiece of a program started by James M. Langley, the…

Alumni administration in a one-person shop demands careful planning, written goals, and organizing time to meet specific deadlines. Established goals also provide a basis for evaluating programs. Annual events are seen as time savers. (MLW)

The Mills College Alumnae Admissions Representative program is described. Three priorities for developing a program are identified: setting goals, deciding on management, and establishing the scope of program. The selection of volunteers and their training are discussed. Recognition of volunteer effort is seen as especially important. (MLW)

Anecdotes about fund-raising from the experiences of a variety of institutions reveals that communications problems, in various forms, are at the heart of many fund-raising problems. Among the ideas presented are the use of large donors to solicit other donations, trustee assistance, persistence in asking support, and alumni matching funds. (MSE)

Points to consider when contemplating a national alumni program are reviewed, including: (1) the program will be expensive, (2) a national clubs organization will take staff time, (3) volunteers will be used effectively, and (4) the college will come alive to those who rarely get to the campus. (MLW)

Turnover among college fundraisers and related administrators (alumni relations, publications) has been high, with some remaining in positions for less time than a major campaign takes to complete. Some feel fundraisers, particularly those in low- or mid-level positions, are competing for higher salaries, better titles, and career development…

Program reviews for alumni administration are advocated. Cooperative planning; creating a formal study committee for sorting out ideas, getting preliminary direction, reviewing past programs, and discussing possible changes; program evaluation; and encouraging change are discussed. (MLW)

Wesleyan University's imaginative use of computer programing helped project into the future and consider alternative fund-raising methods. The process of planning the model and its use in assessing three program options are outlined, and the computer method's usefulness in motivating development staff is emphasized. (MSE)

Four experienced college alumni volunteers offer information and opinions on how and why they became volunteers, how they serve, amount of time spent volunteering, what the alumni office does that is most helpful, how to keep volunteers from feeling overburdened, how to reward volunteers, and working with a spouse. (MSE)

Results of a national survey of colleges and universities concerning alumni involvement in off-campus community service programs indicate a broad variety of activities. Steps to take in establishing and managing an alumni association community service project are outlined. (MSE)

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…

University fund raising for private support, a new development in Australia, is encouraged. The issues, benefits, and details of program organization are outlined, and examples of Australian universities' successes with fund raising are given. (MSE)

Colleges and universities have adjusted the packaging and targeting of student aid that may be more effective in reaching an institution's objectives in lean times, including increasing parent contributions, reducing the unmet need percentage, changing pricing policies, using quotas, revising capital campaigns, tapping alumni, and capitalizing on…