A 4-year study produced workable standards for capturing comparative costs useful to college administrators in fund raising, alumni administration, and public relations. The 51 institutions of higher education that completed the study reported their expenditures and gift income for the years 1985-86, 1986-87, and 1987-88. (MLW)

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…

Because General Educational Development (GED) graduates in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, were in need of an association to encourage their further educational development and enhance their newly established feelings of self-worth, an alumni association was formed. Within this peer group, alumni vented frustrations, obtained special training,…

Techniques used by large and small institutions to trace and keep track of alumni are outlined, based on data from a national survey. Additionally, two articles on recordkeeping are presented. For 19 of the 27 institutions surveyed, information is provided on: institutional data regarding alumni population, staff assigned to tracing lost alumni,…

The development, operation, and benefits of community college alumni organizations are examined by four speakers. After J.E. McCracken's introduction to the topic, Thomas Ten Hoeve describes the alumni association at Butler County College and examines the role of the association in helping the college maintain updated files on former students and…

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);…

Predictions from alumni directors for alumni administration in the next decade include: need for new sources of revenue, changes in demographics that will require changes in program content, more time and money for continuing education programs, use of communication technology, liability insurance crisis, alumni associations run more like…

Eight planning essentials for a successful college reunion are outlined: starting early; selecting enthusiastic and reliable volunteer leaders; training volunteers; balancing the budget; containing costs without sacrificing quality; publicizing; anticipating the unexpected; and evaluating the experience. Anecdotal evidence is offered that planning…

Successful alumni travel programs require good organization, careful targeting, and attention to detail. Planning includes understanding audience demographics, choosing an appropriate tour, knowing current travel trends and constraints, selecting the best host for the group, calculation of costs and tax limitations, choosing a good agent, and…

Five tactics used by the University of Massachusetts to make alumni operations effective with minimal cost include assuring the campus administration's commitment to alumni club programming, training chapter volunteers on campus and through regional visits, controlling mailing costs, planning events in a cost-effective manner, and deciding whether…

Electronic service companies are marketing electronic career services to college and university alumni associations. These electronic alternatives to traditional placement services offer schools a way to provide alumni with a desired service while increasing alumni association revenue. Typically, both applicants and companies pay a fee for a…

Techniques for more cost-effective college alumni chapter administration include better marketing and communications, regionally tailored periodicals, planning ahead, coordinating spring volunteer training with admissions travel, encouraging faculty participation, using mentors for program development, letting chapters pay expenses, and better use…

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)

Describes the University of Notre Dame's live telecasts on family issues. Indicates that the telecasts, which began in 1988, are cosponsored by local Notre Dame alumni clubs, schools, churches, and service agencies. Describes particular programs and the promotional and information materials developed in conjunction with the programs. Underscores…

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…