In a question-and-answer format, the assistant vice president for development and director of alumni relations at Carnegie Mellon University (Pennsylvania) discusses how alumni directors can gauge their programs' effectiveness, how his institution addresses the issue, and how a Council for Advancement and Support of Education project to develop…

Techniques used at Tufts University to evaluate its achievement and goals for institutional development efforts before beginning a new program are outlined, including identifying and assessing competition, finding measures of support volume and importance to the institution, and comparing one's own institution with others in actual and potential…

Colleges and universities should critically review their publications periodically to save money and also as a way to present a more cohesive institutional identity. Ten recommendations are made for conducting a productive publications audit; they include choosing an evaluation method, selecting participants, making the experience pleasant, and…

It is proposed that an external audit of a college advancement program is analogous to a periodic physical examination that offers objectivity and expertise. Audits are appropriate at the time of administrative transitions, performance difficulties, and even periods of sustained success. Guidelines and expectations are discussed. (MSE)

In addition to resume and recommendation checks, writing samples, and interviews, editors hired for college/university public relations and publications should be tested for skills in proofreading, copy editing, writing, reporting, story assigning, and story-idea generation. Applicants may be reluctant to take tests; objections can be defused in…

Suggestions are offered by fund-raising professionals on the following topics: choosing the best night for phonathons; effective teasers for envelopes; type of reply envelopes used; use of precalling postcards; letter length; return rate for mail solicitations; return rate for phonathons; and avoiding common mistakes in mail requests, phonathons,…

In an interview, the managing editor of a major publication in higher education explains what the media want to know about such issues as college and program rankings, affirmative action, college costs, crime on campus, and how colleges can communicate their positions better, make their messages more coherent, and influence the opinions of both…

College public relations officers are urged to incorporate regular and systematic evaluation into program administration. The process of planning public relations activities would include qualitative research to identify issues; audience-specific surveys to gauge attitudes; action to accomplish objectives; and measurement of that action's…

Asserts that for some in advancement, and many observers outside the profession, giving has become the primary measure of alumni satisfaction and the success of an alumni program. Two practitioners take issue with that assumption and offer ways to develop more comprehensive program assessment tools. (EV)

Public relations offices are playing a major role in management by providing more forecasts and analysis. A checklist is provided to help public relations offices evaluate their contribution to management. The list is designed to point out weak and strong points. (MLW)

Techniques for enhancing a computer-based presentation are outlined, including selection of an appropriate laptop computer, considerations in choosing presentation software, and factors in selection and use of a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector. Information is given on five currently available presentation programs. (MSE)

Choosing a consultant to help with a computer system will have more impact on an office than any other decision made during the year. The major advantage of hiring computer consultants is that they bring in-depth expertise to the organization. Some basic rules for choosing a computer consultant are provided. (MLW)

University public relations directors are offered guidelines for conducting an economic impact study to evaluate the institution's worth to the community. Discussed are positive and negative aspects of such studies, the selection of a formal or informal research approach, testing study validity, and disseminating the information. (DB)

Principles for producing well-written college alumni newsletters include keeping reader needs foremost; obtaining strong material; monitoring overall quality and quality of details; devoting time to coming up with bright headlines; using varied formats; having a policy about coverage of subjects; and considering many means of self-evaluation. (MSE)

Whether offering a job in fundraising or seeking one, participants in the employment interview should follow similar strategies: planning the interview; researching the institution and employer or the candidate; asking the right questions; observing the response carefully; and listening to the questions and answers. Proper preparation increases…