Provides advice on how to instill the giving habit in recent graduates and how to encourage them to take an active part in alumni issues. Development officers need to keep track of recent alumni, use telephone and electronic mail rather than letters to contact young alumni, and develop special programs to encourage giving by recent graduates. (MDM)

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)

Developing a timetable for a college fund-raising campaign may be critical to success. Planning involves deciding what tasks to include, how to prioritize and schedule them, and how much time to allot, based on task requirements, institutional size/complexity, experience. Other factors include campus climate, board style, systems readiness, and…

The Internet and other technological tools are rapidly becoming an expected means of communication for college and university public relations offices. Making this transition requires conquering fears of new technology, building on existing staff public relations skills, reorganizing operations to accommodate new tasks, enjoying the new…

Fifteen innovative ideas for activities by student alumni associations, based on existing programs, are described briefly. They include activities for career awareness and development, fund raising, student fun, service to alumni families, alumni orientation to the current campus community, graduation festivities, and service to the community.…

At George Mason University (Virginia), a consulting firm designed a program to train university administrators to deal with the media effectively. On-camera simulations, followed up with practice sessions in the university's telecommunications department, were an effective method of preparing for difficult media questions. (MSE)

Twelve things that colleges and universities can do to prepare themselves and the country for competitiveness in the global economy are outlined. They include business-school partnerships, program coordination and development, improved exchange efforts, and inclusion of global economics in the regular and continuing education curricula. (MSE)

Services that colleges and universities can offer to support alumni job placement and career development are noted, and practical suggestions for creating, administering, and advertising them are outlined. Program ideas include seminars, career-development courses, career placement, counseling and resume services, electronic services to support…

Successful campus public relations requires: (1) segmenting the mass audience into categories according to demographics, interest, lifestyles, and other factors; (2) analyzing how members of each segment respond to various messages and media; and (3) designing a campaign tailored to specific segments of the general audience. (MSE)

Presents marketing guru Guy Kawasaki's seven rules for revolutionaries, and examples of alumni relations innovators who are implementing change with cutting-edge programs, services, and business practices. Rules include: "jump curves" (look for new paths); "break down barriers" (challenge roadblocks of ignorance and inertia);…

Lifelong learning in the United States is no longer a trend but a way of life. Alumni relations should take advantage of this interest by increasing graduates' chances to learn with alumni continuing education. Six steps to success based on Penn State's experience are provided. (MLW)

A 10-step approach to detailed planning, organization, and promotion of class reunions is presented. Steps include plan adequate lead time, centralize leadership, develop an overall plan, outline promotional efforts, develop a budget, develop a checklist for the event, structure the reunion weekend, and coordinate the weekend. (MLW)

Provides advice for small alumni offices on how to sponsor an alumni travel program, focusing on booking a travel agent, deciding where to go, using faculty as tour guides or lecturers, making time for alumni office staff to go along, remembering special touches, visiting local alumni, avoiding overt fund raising, and being prepared for problems.…

Professional event planners give advice on producing pleasing alumni special events. Planning elements include creating a theme, picking the place, finding talented people to help, thinking carefully about seating options, setting the mood, having clear objectives, drafting a detailed script, and managing last-minute changes. (MSE)

Properly designed and properly evaluated, entrepreneurial activities can have many kinds of positive financial and non-financial results for an alumni program. A service or product line that alumni can not get from any other source can benefit the budget and both internal and external goodwill. (MSE)