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)

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)

An institutional development audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a program, its operations, and its people. Information is analyzed to assess: institutional mission, personnel and organizational structure, financial resources, program management, communication, and overall program effectiveness and efficiency. (MLW)

Institutions are turning to marketing to combat the trends of declining enrollments, decreasing applicant pools, diminishing interest in traditional degrees, competition for students, and increasing costs. A marketing audit can analyze an institution's strengths and needs. (MLW)

Planning a college president's inaugural ceremony is discussed. A timeline, an invaluable tool for planning an inauguration, is provided.(MLW)

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)

A public relations audit can show how efforts measure up, whether they are parents programs, media relations, or faculty/staff communication. A sample inventory form is included. (MLW)

Guidelines for managing fund-raising programs are presented including: recognize variability of costs, understand salaries as major cost, compare institution only with its peers, manage volunteers well, allocate enough resources for the long-range development of young alumni and planned giving, pursue endowment gifts, etc. (MLW)

Ways to prove that college public relations offices are meeting their objectives are discussed. Understanding objectives and how the office can meet them focuses activities and helps make efficient use of staff. Seven evaluation methods are identified: production; message distribution; exposure; accuracy; audience awareness; attitude change; and…