Alumni relations is defined as working to motivate alumni to be understanding and supportive of their university. The alumni association should be a community catalyst for moving people. A largely overlooked role for alumni is their involvement in the decision-making processes of a university. (MLW)

Provides advice to small alumni offices on how to manage alumni relations and the annual fund campaign, noting that small offices need to develop a flexible attitude, consider the benefits of performing both tasks, work with people they can count on, manage their time carefully, and balance both activities. (MDM)

Oberlin College's alumni association group for gay and lesbian alumni provides a case study in setting up new affiliates. Comprehensive and practical guidelines that any interested alumni group can follow are needed. Groups that develop around sensitive issues raise the toughest questions for alumni administrators. (MLW)

Starting a special-interest alumni group based on race can be problematic. Painful memories still linger for many minority alumni. Louisiana State University's Tureaud Chapter was willing to operate within the alumni association's framework. The right mix of communication, programing, and financial support is needed. (MLW)

Advice is offered for developing and strengthening college alumni special interest groups. These include setting clear guidelines; striving for membership quantity and enthusiasm; focusing on a mission; developing strong and creative leaders; sharing responsibility among staff; setting reasonable objectives; and finding financial support. (MSE)

Recommendations for planning a successful training workshop for college alumni volunteers include assuring the association is organized and the program well timed; making sure everyone agrees to budget and/or financial commitments; using seasoned volunteers to conduct a feasibility study and determine training needs; making training enjoyable; and…

The editor of Boston University's alumni magazine who orchestrated its redesign and extended its appeal to Boston's general public is interviewed about the strategies used and the response of both the university and the city community. (MSE)

An interview with Philip Kotler, the Harold T. Martin Professor of Marketing at Northwestern University, is presented. Three approaches to marketing are identified: product-oriented, hard-sell, and building satisfaction in a long-term clientele. (MLW)

Provides advice on how to instill the giving habit in recent graduates and how to encourage them to take an active part in alumni issues. Development officers need to keep track of recent alumni, use telephone and electronic mail rather than letters to contact young alumni, and develop special programs to encourage giving by recent graduates. (MDM)

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)

A journalist's master's thesis reports a survey of 300 campus periodical editors, 300 alumni professionals, and 300 journalism educators concerning types of periodicals, common characteristics, primary funding sources, content, coverage of controversy, publication viewpoint, relative publication quality, methods of quality improvement, and goals…