Two successful alumni continuing education programs at Columbia University (New York) are an annual seminar event offered in New Mexico and Italy and an on-campus evening colloquium series. The travel program sparks intellectual exchanges and allows cultivation of prospective donors. The colloquium series uses an interdisciplinary approach in…

The potential of CD-ROM and floppy disks in college student recruitment is explored. Benefits, research strategies, selection of format, creation of content, production values, and details of delivery are discussed. It is argued that carefully planned and effectively produced CD-ROMS and floppy disks can supplement computer network capabilities as…

College alumni who are corporate directors have significant fund-raising potential. Charitable award programs allow corporate directors to designate nonprofit organizations to receive gifts when they die or retire; employee stock ownership programs can provide a private stock market for a potential donor seeking philanthropic opportunity and tax…

A survey of campus publications directors and designers in a variety of institutions concerning the transition to computerized publication design revealed some common problems regarding staff relations, training needs and considerations, retention of some traditional methods, and cost effectiveness. Suggestions for minimizing them are made. (MSE)

Alumni programs can involve more minority group members by focusing on constructive change for the benefit of future alumni. Administrators should challenge minority alumni to participate, have strategies to deal with concerns and complaints, determine campus commitment to diversity, and send appropriate messages to alumni. (MSE)

Young college alumni have characteristics making it difficult to involve them in alumni activities: age, lack of money, lack of time, frequent moves, family responsibilities, and possibly intimidation by older alumni. Encouraging the involvement of young alumni means changing their beliefs, letting them develop their own programs, designating…

Advice to help a college or school development officer work effectively with a new chief executive officer includes participating in the search, making early contacts with the new administrator, coordinating working styles, keeping staff informed and comfortable with new processes, and launching new fund-raising initiatives as soon as possible.…

It is argued that if colleges and universities want involved alumni, they must begin during the student years. Activities and approaches to take during each of the four college years to help establish a mutually supportive relationship are outlined, and illustrated with examples from a variety of institutions. (MSE)

In 1971, Indiana University's alumni association joined the continuing education division to offer an annual week-long miniuniversity for alumni, families, and nonalumni. Over 100 on-campus classes showcasing the university's finest faculty have been offered for all age groups. Extracurricular social events and child care are also available. (MSE)

A public relations model provided the basis for the five-step ROPES college fund-raising model: (1) research on the institution, the funding opportunity, and the publics targeted; (2) objective setting for both office output and program impact; (3) programming to meet those objectives; (4) evaluation of the effectiveness, not just efficiency, of…

College alumni associations can use new events management software for effective, innovative event planning. Possible applications are illustrated in the cases of three universities. Information is provided on planning time, budget, hardware and software used, software uses, evidence of event success, and lessons learned. Planning considerations…

Alumni associations wishing to attract younger graduates with their programming may find they need to assess the interests and needs of this group carefully including their reasons for participating in continuing education programs, time constraints, travel costs, family responsibilities, and professional development needs. (MSE)

Advice on international public relations for colleges and universities includes focusing efforts on one country or region at a time; researching the market and media outlets; involving faculty and administrators; using the local language; careful budgeting; providing photographs and copy; focusing story ideas; considering politics; and considering…

For colleges and schools concerned with the image they project to the public, guidelines for creating and presenting a graphic identity, particularly for fund raising, are offered. Design principles include creating a unified communications program, accurately reflecting the institution's mission and spirit, inspiring confidence in workers and…

Successful techniques for administering alumni associations are described, including a live mascot (University of Redlands, California, bulldog), ethical/social focus reflecting institutional mission (University of Notre Dame, Illinois), humorous gifts for board members resulting in high attendance and participation (University of Idaho), and…