The document outlines the terms of reference for the Plymouth University Alumni Board. The board is responsible for advising on and supporting the university's alumni engagement plan and strategy. This includes ensuring academic staff are involved, that appropriate alumni support is in place, disseminating best practices, reviewing engagement procedures against national standards, and monitoring progress towards objectives. The board meets quarterly and aims to have a diverse membership of up to 20 people, including university graduates, staff, and students. It functions as an advisory body to provide insights to the Alumni Engagement Team.

1. Enclosure A
Alumni Board
22 January 2016
Plymouth University AlumniBoard
Terms of Reference
The Board is responsible for the development of and support for the Plymouth University
alumni community, through:
 advising on the development and delivery of the alumni engagement plan to meet set
objectives and to ensure a joined up approach across the University, particularly ensuring
academic colleagues are engaged and included in the process
 inputting into the development of and monitoring strategies for alumni engagement
 ensuring that appropriate support is in place for alumni (PG, UG, home and international)
 disseminating good practice in relation to alumni engagement
 reviewing alumni engagement procedures against best practice nationally and ensuring
that appropriate guidance is available to staff
 monitoring the progress of alumni engagement against set objectives
 raising awareness of alumni engagement across the University
Membership
Ex officio
 DVC Student Experience – Chair
 Chief Marketing Officer
 Director of Student Services
 Director of Development (or nominee)
 Head of Careers & Employability (or nominee)
 Head of Student Recruitment & Admissions (or nominee)
 Head of the Graduate School (or nominee)
 Events and Graduation Manager
 Alumni Engagement Manager
 Two Plymouth University graduates
 UPSU President (or nominee)
 Two Heads of School
 Head of Residence Life and Student Accommodation Services
 Committee Administrator

2. Enclosure A
Alumni Board
22 January 2016
Role of the Alumni Board
The Plymouth University Alumni Board brings together a group of individuals who – through
conversation – provide insights and support to the Alumni Engagement Team.
As an advisory body, this Board may counsel and advise, but neither recommends nor
directs.
Staff may bring issues and ideas to the Alumni Board and invite comments and observations
for thinking and decision-making.
The Alumni Board meets on a quarterly basis, in Plymouth.
Composition of the Alumni Board and the recruitment process
The Board is intentionally composed with diversity in mind. While there is no specific number
of members required, up to 20 members is the intent.
Specific areas of consideration include:
 Graduates of the University – representing different Faculties
 Staff
 Traditional areas of diversity, e.g.: Race/ethnicity. Gender. Generation. Sexual
orientation. Faith. Disability. Class/socioeconomic status. And so forth.
While the Alumni Board and its individual members may suggest candidates for the Alumni
Board, the Chair makes all final decisions.
The recruitment process for the alumni Board members includes a conversation between the
candidate and the Alumni Engagement Manager. Candidates must commit to these terms of
reference prior to confirmation of membership.
The Board has the provision to co-opting members, particularly other alumni, on an ad-hoc
basis – to supplement its work as and when required / beneficial.
Period of Tenure
The composition of the Board will be reviewed annually.
The period of tenure for the alumni members of the Board would usually be 2 years, with an
option to renew annually, by mutual agreement thereafter. However, in the initial term one
graduate will accept a 3 year tenure in order to create a staggered transition.
If unable to adhere to these terms of reference, the Alumni Board member agrees to step
down.

3. Enclosure A
Alumni Board
22 January 2016
Expectations of each individual member of the Plymouth UniversityAlumni Board
Much of work of Alumni Board Members happens outside of the Board meetings. Centre
staff and Alumni Board members take every opportunity to work together outside of the
actual Board meetings.
Each member of the Alumni Board is expected to do the following:
1. Make every effort to participate in the regular meetings of the Alumni Board, in
person or via telephone/Skype.
2. Help to embed Alumni Engagement across the University by
3. Help identify candidates who might be considered for membership in the Alumni
Board.
4. Advocate for the University’s alumni engagement activities and promote the Alumni
Engagement programme.
5. Finance his / her own accommodation costs, if required, for participating in the
Alumni Board. (The University will cover reasonable travel expenses, within the UK
only, for members of the Alumni Board).