International alumni affairs is a relatively new addition to the landscape of higher education, particularly outside the elite sphere of the Ivy League and Oxbridge. These privileged institutions have seen comparatively high numbers of international students enrol for many years and have gradually developed a formalised alumni presence in any…

Developing an effective engagement strategy begins with an open mind and an outstretched hand. It requires alumni professionals to reconsider how alumni identify themselves within the institution, relinquish some control of the planning and execution of programs, and meet alumni where they are--on terra firma or online. But most of all, it…

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…

University of Illinois President B. Joseph White describes it in glowing terms like "visionary" and "watershed." More cautious alumni professional peers call it "bold" or even "risky." The "it" here is the decision by the University of Illinois Alumni Association (UIAA) to end the 136-year-old dues…

Congress passed legislation last week that would shield students and other consumers from sudden spikes in interest rates and fees, but that could make it harder for young people to access credit to pay for college. The legislation would extend broad new consumer protections to all credit-card holders, offering special protections to college…

Higher education institutions need to create a relationship with their alumni; however, often this outreach is done without adequate data on which to base decisions. To gain a better understanding of what activities future alumni may regard as both important and enjoyable for their participation as alumni, a survey of current senior-status…

The ways in which alumni associations trace missing alumni are described. Methods vary from listing lost names in alumni periodicals to paying credit bureaus to trace alumni by Social Security number. The U.S. Postal Service, which runs National Change of Address, sells access to its database of forwarding addresses. (MLW)

Alumni organizations have special opportunities to influence the experience of prospective and current college students. This chapter explores programs that enhance connections between students and alumni. (Contains 12 references.) (Author)

Improving productivity in alumni programs involves finding the right combination of budget, staff, and program that will energize the alumni. Whitman College has found that spending money, time, and energy to motivate and train volunteers, educate staff, and involve students yields rich dividends. (MLW)

The formation of an alumni/student association at Empire State College, which offers an alternative form of education to New York state citizens, is described. The association offers college-wide opportunities to use alumni and students as resources. Association activities and the benefits from the program are examined. (MLW)

Alumni programs involving current students include flood relief at Notre Dame University (Indiana); an Illinois State University extern program; a program matching alumni with students for homecoming activities at the Georgia Institute of Technology; alumni visits to Muhlenberg College (Pennsylvania) classrooms; and career consultation at…

Programming that involves both the alumni association and current students can build good working relationships, promote the alumni office, and help provide efficient student programming. The experiences of several colleges and universities illustrate the creative role alumni can play in campus programs. (MSE)

This collection of 80 articles from "CASE Currents," a publication of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, focuses on nine topics in sections entitled: (1) The Association: Building Your Base; (2) Finances: Making Ends Meet; (3) Activities: Bringing 'Em Back; (4) Chapters and Clubs: Reaching Alumni Near and Far; (5)…

The University of South Florida Student Ambassadors, two dozen students chosen by the alumni association, serve as the association's emissary to everyone from fellow students and top administrators to prospective donors and media. Student, campus, and community relations are discussed. (MLW)

In order to have recent graduates respond to requests for funds and volunteer support, it is thought that the "alumni habit" should start with current students. Many institutions have organized alumni relations projects. Eight college and university student-alumni programs are described, including Clemson, Cornell, Northwestern, Yale, Michigan,…