The document discusses the relationship between alumni associations and university alumni offices. It notes that while alumni associations aim to connect alumni, they lack resources to fully support the university. Alumni offices aim to professionally manage alumni networks, but universities often do not prioritize this.
The document provides examples of different alumni models and case studies of successful alumni programs at universities like Oxford, Michigan, BITS Pilani, and IIT Madras. It concludes that universities must proactively develop alumni affairs infrastructure and serve alumni to enable their engagement and contributions back to the institution.
1. Alumni Office and
Alumni Association –
The Paradox
Mrs. Nidhi Reddy, Director Alumni Relations, ISB
Mr. Sahil Dewan, FuturEd
Alumni Relations Conference- India
2. Current Scenario
Alumni
Association
Alumni Relations Conference- India
School/Coll
ege Alumni
Office
3. Clarity of Purpose
Alumni Relations Conference- India
Purpose:
- Generate a feeling of connectedness among
alumni community
- Propagate a sense of pride whenever Alumni
engagement happens through events and other
forums.
The harsh reality:
- They do not have time to be end responsible for
doing things for their Alma Mater; they can’t
manage Alumni Office operations.
- They need nurturing, someone needs to be
responsible to guide and inspire them,
consistently.
Alumni
Association
4. Clarity of Purpose
Purpose:
- To seek knowledge about where their alumni are and
School/Colle
ge Alumni
Alumni Relations Conference- India
what they are doing.
- To track and manage alumni networks in an
‘Organized & Professional’ manner.
- To generate value for Alumni and encourage
stewardship for the development of the institution.
- To harness the value that alumni networks could bring
to the long term goals of the institution.
The harsh reality:
- Institutions may not be not prepared to invest time,
resources and HR towards the ‘Alumni’ stakeholder
segment.
- Alumni network management may not feature in the
priorities of the institution
- Institutions may not have an understanding about
how to approach alumni relations.
Alumni
Association
Office
5. Examples of Alumni Membership
Models
Alumni Relations Conference- India
The two alumni-centric models are:
The Membership Dues Model: Alumni choose to pay annual or life member
dues, in exchange for a set of benefits and privileges not available to non-members.
The Inclusive Model: All alumni have equal access to the same set of programs
and services provided by alma mater via the alumni office.
There is also a fundraising-focused offshoot of this:
The Donor Benefits Model: Individuals (including non-alumni) who donate at
least a specified amount of money to the institution receive exclusive benefits
for their contribution.
6. How does an institution decide the clear
roles and purpose of an Alumni Office and
an Alumni Association?
Alumni Relations Conference- India
7. Do you consider Alumni a key part of your
institution/ organization ?
Alumni Relations Conference- India
8. What is your goal for Alumni engagement ?
(Vision of Alumni Office or Mission
statements related to Alumni)
Alumni Relations Conference- India
9. Are you focused on building a legacy?
Or Are you just building inventory and
reaping returns?
Alumni Relations Conference- India
10. What do you expect from Alumni?
Alumni Relations Conference- India
11. Do you think your job is done once your
students graduate?
Alumni Relations Conference- India
13. University of Oxford
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD ALUMNI OFFICE ORGANISATION CHART
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Development and External Affairs
Professor Nick Rawlins
Alumni Relations Conference- India
desfwelkj
Director of Alumni Relations
Christine Fairchild
Office Manager
Elizabeth Anderson-
Whymark
Administration and
Finance Officer
Claire Larkin
Alumni Networks
Manager
Jackie Hruby
Data Officer
Rachel McDonald
p/t
Head of
Communications
Alison Edwards p/t
Communications
Officer
Joanna Whiting
Head of Alumni
Resources
Vacant
Alumni Events
Manager
Vacant
Deputy Director
Caroline Baxter p/t
PA to Director and
Deputy Director
Helen Wilkinson
Alumni Networks
Assistant
Joby Mullens
Alumni Events
Assistant
Paul Sweeten
Resources Officer
Natasha Stein p/t
Alumni Officer
(Medical
Sciences)
Jayne Todd p/t
14. • The Alumni Office (14-18 full time staff) manages the Alumni network
• There is no separate Alumni Association of the University
• There is an Alumni Board of 18 Alumni that advises the Alumni Office
through Board meetings (3 times a year)
• There are Alumni Clubs and Groups which are managed by the Alumni
Office but run by Alumni (on the ground) spread across the globe that
facilitate intra alumni activity and engagement.
Alumni Relations Conference- India
15. University of Michigan
• The Alumni Association has 60 full time staff.
• The Alumni Association independently runs self sustaining Programs for
Alumni, that benefit the Alumni and the University. (USD 2000 fee per
alumnus)
• Functional Areas: Programs, Finance, Technology, Marketing,
Communication, Fundraising, Family Camp
Alumni Relations Conference- India
16. BITS Pilani
• BITSAA promotes and encourages the Alumni to exchange
professional knowledge by undertaking and facilitating conferences,
seminars, lectures and meetings amongst alumni, students, faculty
and others.
• It also honours and felicitates distinguished alumni.
Alumni Relations Conference- India
• Functional areas of BITSAA
• Promoting membership of association
• Organizing networking forums
• Running giving back campaigns
17. IIT Madras
Alumni Relations Conference- India
IIT Madras Alumni Association
• Provide an organization through which
the Alumni of IIT Madras around the
world, and faculty, staff and students of
the institute can interact with each
other for mutual benefit and to further
the objectives outlined.
Objectives
• Alumni- Platform for networking &
assistance
• Institute- Facilitate & encourage
contribution towards institute
(academics, infrastructure & industry
interactions )
• Student- Assistance through grants,
scholarships, career services
• Society-CSR activities.
IIT Madras Alumni Association of North
America
• Umbrella organization for many of the
North American alumni organizations of
IIT Madras alumni.
Objectives
• Provide a forum for exchange and
interaction for alumni in North America
• Engage in charitable activities that
promote education
Alumni Office Details
• Senior Project Officer – 2, Project
Associate – 3 , Senior Project Assistant –
1, Institute Staff – 2 nos.
• This office ensures Industry Alliances
through Alumni, fundraising through
alumni and association, maintains
database, manages student programs,
social media outreach
18. Clarity of Purpose
Conclusion:
Institutions need to proactively develop an Alumni Affairs
Infrastructure and proactively serve their alumni, which will further
enable Alumni to engage and contribute back to their Alma
Alumni Relations Conference- India
Mater
Alumni
Association
Institution
19. Let’s start
What are your key challenges in establishing/developing an Alumni Affairs
Alumni Relations Conference- India
Office?
(Remember, depending on how old your school is, priorities of the office and nature of
operations can vary, so don’t worry.)
How can these be overcome?
3 steps you can go back to your school and take?
