Alumni Relations: Why bother

1. 1 Alumni Relations: Why bother? Louise Simpson

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3. 3 Today, we�ll cover Alumni relations � overview of benefits (and problems) � trends, expectations What should you consider if starting up? Tone and content of good alumni associations in small colleges Working groups on some of the strategic big questions

4. 4 Rise of alumni relations Historical roots Convocation, matriculation, congregations Benefactors American influences What do we mean by alumni? A Convocation (translating ecclesia) is a group of people formally assembled for a special purpose. In particular it is used to refer to: the assemblies of the two Provinces of the Church of England, e.g. the Convocations of Canterbury, and various other assemblies of other churches; and A self-governing body of the Church of England. George I dismissed it in 1717, due to it having views opposed to his in the Bangorian controversy. It was the historical antecedent of the General Synod of today. the assemblies of various universities which are convoked to grant degrees, etc., and in particular various university legislative assemblies, e.g. the Convocation of the University of Oxford or the University of Exeter. In some Australian Universities, the term "convocation" refers specifically to the entirety of the alumni of the university, which function as one of the university's representative bodies. Due to its inordinate size, the Convocation will elect a standing committee, which is responsible for making representations concerning the views of the alumni to the university administration. The convocation also, however, can hold general meetings, at which any alumni can attend. The main function of the convocation is to represent the views of the alumni to the university administration, to encourage co-operation among alumni (esp. in regard to donations), and to elect members of the University's governing body (known variously as the Senate, Council, Board, etc., depending on the particular institution, but basically equivalent to a board of directors of a corporation.) A convocation is also a collective noun for eagles. Matriculation refers to the formal process of entering a university, or of becoming eligible to enter by acquiring the required prior qualifications. In the English universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Durham, the term is used for the ceremony at which new students are entered into the register (in Latin matricula) of the university, at which point they become members of the university. Both Oxford and Cambridge require matriculands to wear academic dress during the ceremony, and Oxford requires academic dress to be worn with sub-fusc. At Durham the wearing of academic dress is traditional but not compulsory. Separate matriculation ceremonies are held by the colleges at Oxford and Cambridge. At Oxford and Cambridge matriculation was formerly associated with entrance examinations taken before or shortly after matriculation, known as Responsions at Oxford and the Previous Examination at Cambridge, both abolished in 1960. University-wide entrance examinations were subsequently re-introduced at both universities, but abolished in 1995. More limited subject-based tests have since been introduced. In England and Wales until the advent of the General Certificate of Education (GCE), Matriculation (usually abbreviated "matric") was the examination taken to earn the right to enter university. Unlike the GCE exam, it had a number of compulsory subjects and all had to be passed at a single sitting. At Scottish universities, there is no formal ceremony, although each year, students must matriculate (essentially just completing a registration form) to continue to be a student, and receive a matriculation card -- their student ID card. In the United States, the Matriculation ceremony is a rarity, with the most prominent example being Dartmouth College, which holds the ceremony for new students during Orientation in September. Groups of new students enter the Office of the President, where the President delivers a short welcome speech. The Dean of First-Year Students then calls each student forward, and the student shakes the President's hand and accepts the formal offer of admission, signed by the President.A Convocation (translating ecclesia) is a group of people formally assembled for a special purpose. In particular it is used to refer to: the assemblies of the two Provinces of the Church of England, e.g. the Convocations of Canterbury, and various other assemblies of other churches; and A self-governing body of the Church of England. George I dismissed it in 1717, due to it having views opposed to his in the Bangorian controversy. It was the historical antecedent of the General Synod of today. the assemblies of various universities which are convoked to grant degrees, etc., and in particular various university legislative assemblies, e.g. the Convocation of the University of Oxford or the University of Exeter. In some Australian Universities, the term "convocation" refers specifically to the entirety of the alumni of the university, which function as one of the university's representative bodies. Due to its inordinate size, the Convocation will elect a standing committee, which is responsible for making representations concerning the views of the alumni to the university administration. The convocation also, however, can hold general meetings, at which any alumni can attend. The main function of the convocation is to represent the views of the alumni to the university administration, to encourage co-operation among alumni (esp. in regard to donations), and to elect members of the University's governing body (known variously as the Senate, Council, Board, etc., depending on the particular institution, but basically equivalent to a board of directors of a corporation.) A convocation is also a collective noun for eagles. Matriculation refers to the formal process of entering a university, or of becoming eligible to enter by acquiring the required prior qualifications. In the English universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Durham, the term is used for the ceremony at which new students are entered into the register (in Latin matricula) of the university, at which point they become members of the university. Both Oxford and Cambridge require matriculands to wear academic dress during the ceremony, and Oxford requires academic dress to be worn with sub-fusc. At Durham the wearing of academic dress is traditional but not compulsory. Separate matriculation ceremonies are held by the colleges at Oxford and Cambridge. At Oxford and Cambridge matriculation was formerly associated with entrance examinations taken before or shortly after matriculation, known as Responsions at Oxford and the Previous Examination at Cambridge, both abolished in 1960. University-wide entrance examinations were subsequently re-introduced at both universities, but abolished in 1995. More limited subject-based tests have since been introduced. In England and Wales until the advent of the General Certificate of Education (GCE), Matriculation (usually abbreviated "matric") was the examination taken to earn the right to enter university. Unlike the GCE exam, it had a number of compulsory subjects and all had to be passed at a single sitting. At Scottish universities, there is no formal ceremony, although each year, students must matriculate (essentially just completing a registration form) to continue to be a student, and receive a matriculation card -- their student ID card. In the United States, the Matriculation ceremony is a rarity, with the most prominent example being Dartmouth College, which holds the ceremony for new students during Orientation in September. Groups of new students enter the Office of the President, where the President delivers a short welcome speech. The Dean of First-Year Students then calls each student forward, and the student shakes the President's hand and accepts the formal offer of admission, signed by the President.

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10. 10 Belonging from the start � Alumnae and alumni are women and men who have been reared or nourished by their alma mater, their �nourishing mother.� Alumnus, alumna, and alma are all derived from the Latin verb alere, �to nourish.� Alumnus is a masculine noun whose plural is alumni, and alumna is a feminine noun with the plural alumnae. Coeducational institutions usually use alumni for graduates of both sexes. But those who object to masculine forms in such cases prefer to use alumni and alumnae or the form alumnae/i, which is the choice of many women�s colleges that have begun to admit men. Alumnae and alumni are women and men who have been reared or nourished by their alma mater, their �nourishing mother.� Alumnus, alumna, and alma are all derived from the Latin verb alere, �to nourish.� Alumnus is a masculine noun whose plural is alumni, and alumna is a feminine noun with the plural alumnae. Coeducational institutions usually use alumni for graduates of both sexes. But those who object to masculine forms in such cases prefer to use alumni and alumnae or the form alumnae/i, which is the choice of many women�s colleges that have begun to admit men.

11. 11 Students more inclined to participate? Email, networking easier Websites and chat pages Friends Reunited phenomenon American influences Friends from further afield� international links University as a part of life�

12. 12 To set up� or not? Why are you doing it? How will it relate with your mission? Is it sustainable? What are the risks associated with it? What are you hoping to achieve? (friends, money, more students�)

13. 13 What are the risks for a small college?

14. 14 Risks for a small college? Staffing issues � can you manage? Cost of running an alumni operation Will you raise less than it costs? Getting academic buy in? Metrics for success? Ownership of your alumni? (a degree-awarding partner?) � future merger?

15. 15 Think positive�.Small means� You�re already a community� and your graduates are distinctive and closely bonded Your students are probably going to pursue a specific career trajectory � and need you! You can offer a lot more in terms of networking, and career progression You can be personal and effective

16. 16 What�s in it for the college? fundraising. Yes� but that�s only part of it? Alumni should be your greatest selling point - friends, advocates, advisors Helping you attract new students Adding value to your institution at every level Returning as staff and mentors

17. 17 Trinity College pulling no punches The first Annual Law dinner, which is being held in conjunction with the Trinity College Law Society, is intended to help the creation of the Trinity Law Association network and to foster relations between practitioners and current students. The dinner is a social event for the benefit of students and alumni and the committee, in consultation with the current law Fellows here at Trinity, has set the price for alumni tickets at �50 which includes a subsidy to enable current students to obtain tickets for �12.50. Those undertaking the CPE, Law Society Finals, Bar School Finals, trainee solicitors and pupils will be charged half the full alumni price. It will be a black tie dinner and Lord Rees, the Master; Lord Walker, the President of the College Law Society and Lord Clement-Jones, the Chairman of the TLA Advisory Committee will be attending this important occasion. This dinner will be held in College but it is hoped that future dinners will thereafter be alternating between the City and the College. Please contact the Alumni Relations Officer if you wish to register as a member of the TLA and/or attend the dinner.

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20. 20 Alumni are also your biggest potential market For PhDs, MAs Continuing professional development Distance learners, evening and weekend classes Summer courses. And you should be targeting them as potential customers � no high street store fails to notice the fact that you have bought something once�

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23. 23 What�s in it for alumni? Career enhancement � courses, libraries Networking and mentors Social opportunities, fun, holidays Jobs � latest adverts, opportunities (eg casting for a play) Use of high quality facilities

24. 24 Getting graduates back in

25. 25 Roll calls

26. 26 Turning to the US for inspiration� What can we learn from the niche players there? How do they enfold professional alumni Encourage attendance on summer schools and courses Create real alumni stakeholder engagement

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28. 28 Juilliard turns 100 in the 2005-06 academic year, and the current crop of students can look back on an impressive history with such alumni as actor Kevin Kline, violinist Itzhak Perlman and choreographer Lar Lubovitch. To celebrate, the school will introduce new choreography, productions and performances. The student orchestra, which already performs abroad, will embark on its first domestic tour. In 2003-04, Juilliard received 2,016 applications; only 152 musicians, dancers and actors were offered the chance to showcase their talent in the Juilliard Theater right next to Lincoln Center. That's the best inspiration for any aspiring star. Juilliard turns 100 in the 2005-06 academic year, and the current crop of students can look back on an impressive history with such alumni as actor Kevin Kline, violinist Itzhak Perlman and choreographer Lar Lubovitch. To celebrate, the school will introduce new choreography, productions and performances. The student orchestra, which already performs abroad, will embark on its first domestic tour. In 2003-04, Juilliard received 2,016 applications; only 152 musicians, dancers and actors were offered the chance to showcase their talent in the Juilliard Theater right next to Lincoln Center. That's the best inspiration for any aspiring star.

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33. 33 Supporting BME agendas

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42. 42  � I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member." Groucho Marx

43. 43 Getting the tone right

44. 44 But how do you stop costs spiralling? Doubling up roles (senior advocates needed) E letters, not print Use alumni to run the show � and answer the queries Charges for services? Free perks (hotel discounts)

45. 45 A free advisory board BAA's structure and governance The Brown Alumni Association is organized as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. The alumni body selects the BAA�s President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer every two years in the Alumni Election. The previous President-Elect becomes President at the next election, for a total of four elected officers who lead the 25-member Board of Governors. When he or she assumes office, the President also begins a six-year term as an Alumni Trustee of the Brown Corporation. Most board members have distinguished themselves as leaders within Brown�s volunteer programs or alumni communities. Others bring the specialized expertise required for current projects and priorities. More on board members and committees.

46. 46 Getting alumni to do the work Extract from New York Academy Alumni Association The first step is to fill out the registration/update information form. If you have paid your dues and would like to include up to 3 images (not to exceed 600 pixels in height or width, or 100KB in filesize) on your page, optimize them for the Web and forward to the Webmaster (webmaster_AT_aanyaa_DOT_org) with the following information for each image: TitleDate MediaHeight x Width (x Depth) inches Please pick them carefully, you may only add/update images once per dues-paying year. 

47. 47 Making life easier

48. 48 Keep your friends close Can you afford not to have alumni relations? Board members, advocates, friends in crisis, positive press endorsements, new members, increased �re-applications. Otherwise �you may not have enemies, but you won�t have many friends.

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50. 50 ALUMNI exercise If you have an alumni operation already: How do you measure your success? What are the negatives of doing? How do you reduce keep costs down? What are the main things you - and your alumni - get out of it? If you don�t have an office but are considering one: Why should you, or shouldn�t you launch an alumni operation? How do you relate it to your college mission? At what stage do you get students interested? Where should the office be located? Balance between fundraising, and other?

51. 51 Work group exercise 2: for those considering starting Why should you, or shouldn�t you launch an alumni operation? How do you relate it to your college mission? At what stage do you get students interested? Where should the office be located? Balance between fundraising, and other/

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