The bottom line of a reunion is increased alumni support of all kinds--including monetary. Planning requires the combined efforts of both staff and alumni leaders. A training plan for alumni reunion leaders is described. (MLW)

A realistic production schedule helps deliver college publications on time. This requires team effort and a spirit of cooperation, specific task scheduling, using tickler systems to keep staff on track, not allowing procrastination, and setting aside planning time. (MSE)

An experienced university fund raiser discusses the staff's role in dealing with potential donors, including developing donor awareness, knowledge, interest, involvement, and commitment; maintaining constant contact; using an effective tracking system to manage, coordinate, communicate, and stimulate major fund-raising activity; and encouraging…

A discussion of the relationship between campus public relations professionals and media relations consultants looks at why consultants are used, the best ways to use a consultant, searching for an agency, establishing fees and parameters, and making the relationship succeed. (MSE)

An informal survey of 19 media relations firms whose clients include schools, colleges, and universities revealed that institutions can contribute most to the success of the consultant-client relationship by planning, establishing goals and expectations, building a team, and identifying worthwhile stories. (MSE)

In college publications programs, computer technology makes it possible to maintain editor-designer teamwork across long distances. However, although computers can cut expenses and boost cooperation, the editor and designer must still have basic skills for collaboration, understand each other's work, and focus on the desired product. (MSE)

The University of Arizona's experience with a small-scale fund-raising project to establish a memorial scholarship illustrates that the development office's efforts in guiding a motivated group of donors can pay off. Planning elements included establishing a team, delegating tasks, handling mail and telephone calls, generating enthusiasm, and…

A campus community needs a shared institutional vision--a set of common "positioning" themes for student recruitment, public relations, and fund-raising. Positioning themes are used to help match what students or donors look for in an institution, fill a niche in the marketplace, and package itself attractively. (MLW)

The evolution, design, and implementation of the University of Cincinnati (Ohio) Foundation's plan in the event of a disaster that would destroy its building and computer system are described. The plan focuses on rapid assessment of damage, getting the system back into working order, and recovery of any losses. (MSE)

The departure or death of an important college or school fund raiser can threaten campaign morale and momentum. The experiences of development programs in such situations illustrate a variety of strategies for management, including good record keeping and institutional communication, teamwork, assuming business as usual, having two people in…

Classic problems between college fund raising and public relations professionals include misunderstanding of roles, unrealistic expectations, differing goals and perspectives, and inequity of administrative support. Cooperation can be fostered through communication about goals, shared objectives, reduced isolation, teamwork, open communication,…

College and university advancement managers offer these keys to motivating employees: open communication, acknowledgement of management style, team building, encouragement of innovation, spreading opportunities broadly, promoting personal growth, creating reward systems, evaluating fairly, and strong leadership. (MSE)

A brief questionnaire designed to help colleges and universities assess their crisis readiness is presented. Questions address such issues as written procedures, response team composition, campus information dissemination and media relations, and community relations. Ten items every college crisis plan should include are listed. (MSE)