Relationships between scientists and campus communicators are often poor because the two inhabit very different worlds. Bridging the gap depends on improving communication, which in turn can have far-reaching benefits for both. Efforts to reconcile the two worlds are essential. (MSE)

Five strategies for recruiting and motivating college alumni club leaders are outlined, including focusing on collaboration among volunteers as much as on leader qualities, recruiting volunteers to support leaders, allowing key volunteers to make contributions that don't require much of their time, maintaining continuity of policy and practice,…

A number of factors keep college alumni staff and development officers from forging cooperative relationships, and campus and graduates suffer as a result. These factors include competition for resources and professional opportunities and stereotypes of administrator roles and characteristics. Successful partnerships require shared values and…

College and university proposal-writing personnel are encouraged to develop collaborative strategies with faculty researchers. Ideas are given for offering consultation services, sharpening diplomacy skills, representing the institution to foundations, and negotiating fruitful agreements. (DB)

Several ways in which colleges and universities without direct access to the Internet can make use of its services are offered, including establishing an account with a commercial vendor, using inexpensive local providers, and connecting through nearby campuses. (MSE)

There is good reason for college fund raisers and business officers to collaborate on common financial interests. Communication is a key element of such cooperation. Other needs include agreement on accounting and reporting of institutional finances, agreement on stewardship of gifts (particularly with restrictions or endowments), and common…

Misunderstandings between a university's attorney and its public relations office can arise because of differing goals, schedules, rules of evidence, and levels of respect accorded them. Cooperation can be fostered by forging a bond before a crisis arises, sharing expertise, thinking ahead, remaining flexible, and analyzing successes and failures.…

Alumni leaders should be included in a school or college capital campaign drive. The alumni office can help find prospects, provide events and programs for fund raising, promote the campaign, involve alumni staff members. Alumni themselves can assist in campaign planning and inspire others to give by donating themselves. (MSE)

Offers advice on developing successful partnerships between higher education institutions and corporations, including characteristics of effective relationships, determining the nature of the partnership, identifying potential partners, getting campus cooperation, and identifying benefits to both institution and corporation. Examples of programs…

Alumni administrators in private schools can participate in choosing and acclimating a new school head by pushing for an alumni constituency committee to meet candidates; asking candidates directly about alumni work; offering the new administrator early and wide exposure to alumni; and educating and promoting the new head. (MSE)

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)

Alumni directors can bring creative ideas to traditional tasks by taking a new look at the problem, being aware of personal creative peaks, seeking perspectives outside the office staff, acknowledging that creativity is an attitude, putting new ideas to work, and having fun. (MSE)

The alumni association president can participate effectively in college fund-raising campaigns by developing a high-quality board, seeking appointments to campus committees, learning about fund raising, cultivating relationships, being a resource before and after the campaign, offering to participate, evaluating programs regularly, and reaping…

Five college and university fund-raising professionals discuss ways in which uncoordinated solicitations of gifts from the same prospective donor(s) by different schools or departments can be avoided by planning, coordination, and communication. Advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized administrative approaches are considered.…

A college chief advancement officers describes the qualities that make a president an ally in fund raising. These qualities include vision and leadership, commitment to the campus, commitment to advancement, integrity, honesty, perseverance, patience, optimism, communication skills, energy, willingness to learn, humor, creativity, understanding of…