The purpose for conducting the study was to explore and describe the use of alumni societies and associations in community colleges, particularly focusing on the intended outcome of their implementation. To collect data for the study, the research-team developed a survey instrument that was distributed electronically to 250 community college…

The alumni relations profession has undergone profound changes in the past century. Alumni officers have responded to opportunities and threats presented by advancing technologies, shifting cultural norms, and unstable world economies. Innovations such as Facebook and smartphones have changed everything, and in a flat world, alumni relations…

Although many alumni leaders have experience both working for their alma mater and not, most go about it in the opposite order, starting out at their own institutions and then moving on to another as a seasoned veteran. However, unlike in development, where alumni status is much less of an issue, alumni leaders are often asked, "When did you…

Soon after news of the child molestation scandal involving Jerry Sandusky, a former Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach, broke in November 2011, the development and alumni relations staff gathered for a town hall-style meeting. "The Penn Stater" has tackled controversial topics before: student riots, a faculty member…

Colleges, schools, and faculties at large universities form strong academic bonds with students. So is it any wonder they want a say in keeping these students engaged as alumni? To provide that input, many larger institutions are decentralizing their alumni operations, meaning that colleges, schools, and faculties have their own alumni staff…

Even in the best financial times, the relationship between the development office and the alumni association can be uneasy. While some alumni leaders would never try to calculate an event's success in funds raised, others find that their most important and successful events happen with development goals in mind. There may never be a consensus…

Many universities, colleges, and independent schools face the reality of geographically expanding alumni bases, likely combined with constant or decreasing budgets for alumni activities. Well-intentioned colleagues understand the potential power of a geographically diverse alumni network but do not always grasp the time and complexity associated…

This book presents 19 chapters on alumni relations. The chapters are: (1) "Alumni Admissions Programs" (Susan Clouse Dolbert); (2) "Alumni Clubs, Chapters, and Branches: Bringing the Institution to the Alumni" (John A. Feudo); (3) "Alumni Records" (Agnes Papke); (4) "Successful Alumni Travel Programs" (Duncan Beardsley); (5) "Board and Volunteer…

Harvard University has not fully divested from South Africa. Alumni Against Apartheid (AAA) is increasing the pressure by gaining a seat on the board of overseers and rallying support of students and alumni. This issue may become the spearhead of a general change in the institution's social policies. (VM)

Economic pressure has played a role in most clashes between independent alumni associations and their college administrations. Some pros and cons of independence are provided and some events of the past few years are described. (MLW)

Alumni administrators must become full partners in institutional advancement and fund-raising. The salaries, access, and respect accorded alumni administrators must be at parity or near parity with development professionals. Some suggestions to further alumni/development partnership are provided. (MLW)

Discusses the need for alumni directors to have a good working relationship with their college or university chief executive officer (CEO). Alumni directors need to increase their visibility, meet with the CEO on a regular basis, show results, plan around the CEO's schedule, and mediate conflicts between alumni and the CEO. (MDM)

The Postal Service is auditing and trying to collect back postage from nonprofit organizations, including alumni associations. Although the post office initially accepted the materials in question for mailing, it now says alumni associations illegally loaned their permits to commercial firms such as travel agencies. (MSE)

Five strategies for recruiting and motivating college alumni club leaders are outlined, including focusing on collaboration among volunteers as much as on leader qualities, recruiting volunteers to support leaders, allowing key volunteers to make contributions that don't require much of their time, maintaining continuity of policy and practice,…

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)