This paper is an evaluation of undergraduate college students' participation in the Student Alumni Association (SAA) at the University of South Florida. I evaluated benefits of participating in the program, why students do not participate in the program, and if participation affected students' persistence through college. Undergraduate students…

Alternative Breaks are service trips that occur at colleges and universities all around the United States, but little is known of their long-term impact on the participants. This study explored how alumni of Alternative Break programs were civically engaged in their communities post-graduation. The survey instrument, modeled on the Life After…

An audit can give easy-to-understand indicators of how the various parts of an alumni association are doing. Prepare for an audit by: identifying goals and the areas that are most symbolic of the well-being of the organization, and quantify what to measure. (MLW)

Five veteran college alumni directors share strategies for creating an effective association: deciding what program aspects must be measured; assessing the program realistically; listening to customers; stretching program resources to hold down cost and work more efficiently; and remembering the value of the human touch in program design and…

In a question-and-answer format, the assistant vice president for development and director of alumni relations at Carnegie Mellon University (Pennsylvania) discusses how alumni directors can gauge their programs' effectiveness, how his institution addresses the issue, and how a Council for Advancement and Support of Education project to develop…

A telephone survey of 328 graduates of a major Canadian university strongly supports continuation of the alumni newspaper, and found that: features are popular with specific subgroups; willingness to pay for the publication shows support for the paper but not a subscription fee; paid advertisements are acceptable; the university is popular in…

This paper briefly reviews the early efforts at forming alumni associations and organizing alumni reunions, describes a number of the more recent alumni surveys used in assessment activities, and concludes with suggestions for conducting such surveys. First, pre-1980 alumni surveys that attempted to measure college outcomes are discussed. Next, a…

Papers from a conference on student alumni programs and foundations are presented. Contents are as follows: "How Student Alumni Programs Can Serve Your Institution," by Larry Weiss; "How to Start a Student Alumni Organization," by William Harlan; "Getting the Right Students: How, When, and Where" (Harlan);…

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…

Out of concern for declining participation in its local alumni clubs, Dartmouth College (New Hampshire) surveyed 10,400 alumni nationally, 800 club officers, and alumni officers of 10 other colleges and universities. Resulting profiles of recent and older graduates revealed substantial population changes, suggesting the need for adaptation of…

Suggestions for improving alumni association membership recruitment and retention, for raising non-dues income, and for keeping records are made based on Kansas State University's experiences. (MSE)

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)

Fund-raising auctions and related dinners produced by a private school, a community college, and a state university alumni association are described. Profiles include details of location, budget, proceeds, and reasons the events were successful. (MSE)

The administration's adviser to the Illinois State University Student Alumni Council examines the benefits of student participation in alumni affairs, outlines some considerations in the creation and development of a new student alumni program, and suggests program possibilities for different constituencies, including alumni, students, future…

For a geography department to be successful, it must develop qualitatively superior images and relationships within the university. Aggressive participation by geographers is advocated in matters involving relationships with other disciplines, the university decision-making process, concerns of students, alumni and developmental activities, and…