The gap between predicted and actual outcomes--following a university's removal of their controversial Native American nickname--may be rather wide. This study investigates what alumni threaten or promise to do upon a potential school nickname change, and what actual actions result once change does occur. The University of North Dakota's (UND)…

When yes/no or multiple-choice answers do not suffice--when a qualitative understanding of a topic rather than a quantitative head count is needed--it is time to consider focus groups. They work well when learning why, how, and what for is more important than measuring how many. Focus groups are primarily an open-ended form of inquiry, enabling…

With trends toward high stakes testing moving inexorably forward, project-based components of Rhode Island's Performance Based Graduation system have been largely overlooked. Existing studies focus primarily on implementation of senior projects (Davidson, 2009; Lorenz, 1999; Mayer, 1999; Nicolini, 1999; Shaunessy, 2004; Singer & Hubbard,…

Approximately five years ago, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor added a unique, practical work experience requirement to the customary graduation requirements for an undergraduate business degree. This paper examines the perceived value of this requirement from the perspective of the students (now alumni) who have been subject to the…

Alumni are both a vital source of financial support and an important barometer of the institutional climate. Research studies on alumni donor motivation are summarized. (MLW)

This study explored the utility of developing an alumni survey specifically designed for graduate alumni to increase response rates and provide specific information for planning. The previous year's survey of graduate alumni had seen a very low participation rate and those that had responded offered several negative comments on the survey design.…

A centralized, university-wide approach to collecting alumni information was established. The centralized approach provided information with greater potential for utilization, permitted comparisons among university units, and generated information on trends in alumni outcomes from year to year. All alumni in a given class are surveyed in order to…

A survey of 1960-75 graduates of the Medical Residency Program of Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, N.Y., to obtain opinions concerning the strengths and weaknesses of their training and their opinions on curricular changes designed to prepare residents better for roles as general internists is discussed. (Author/MLW)

Surveyed psychology majors and other graduates of Southeast Missouri State University for the years 1983-1985 regarding their evaluation of undergraduate education. Findings revealed psychology respondents, although resembling other majors in social and personal interests, differed in educational and career attitudes and were more likely to enter…

A survey of 133 college alumni association directors investigated trends in chapter organization and services. Results revealed new emphases on community service and continuing education to appeal to a younger, more diverse, more career-oriented membership. Although chapter social activities continue, they are less emphasized. (MSE)

This study investigated selected attitudinal and demographic factors, involvement, and philanthropic awareness of alumni donors and non-donors from a Research I, public university. A random sample of 500 alumni (250 donors and 250 non-donors) was selected from a population of 37,691, resulting in 371 (74 percent) usable surveys. Discriminant…

The report summarizes questionnaire responses from 454 university department heads concerning information collected in the most recent self-study or review of their department. The responses included judgments about the importance of collecting each information element for (1) internal department use for porgram planning and improvements, (2)…