Web link here: http://sync.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/jul/31/staying-connected/
Staying connected
They might not name a building after you, but being a card-carrying college alum does have its perks.
By Jennifer Godwin (Contact)
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
With apologies to American Express, there is another instance in which “membership has its privileges” rings true.
A college graduate who takes up his alma mater’s entreaties to become an active (read: giving) alum usually finds perks in doing so, with tangible benefits ranging from school-facility access to discounts on rental cars.
And that’s not even counting the coffee mug, which is standard issue for any proud graduate.
When an alumnus coughs up a donation in the form of alumni association membership dues, doors open to a world of networking and promotions specific to that college. That donation, in turn, usually helps fund scholarships, awards and association programs.
So what can alumni from various colleges in Arkansas expect in return for their generosity?
At the most basic level, a graduate is typically welcomed into an online community of fellow alumni, where classmates can keep in touch through bulletin boards, personalized Web pages and directories.
That’s what counts the most for RJ Martino, a 2004 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The computer science major joined his alumni association straight-away after getting his diploma and now is a member of the group’s board.
“Being a part of the alumni association, I’m able to meet new people and keep up with the developments of college friends,” he said. “In addition to that, when decisions are made due to a thought or a feeling that you have, it makes you feel like you’re really playing a part.”
Tiffeny Crow, a 1990 graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, likes the keeping-in-touch aspect as well. She maintains a close connection with the Arkadelphia college because everyone there is like family to her.
Additionally, good old-fashioned networking can help one land a job in a different state, find a golf buddy in a one-time frat brother, or reconnect with a fellow business major.
At Hendrix, for instance, there are “hot spots” of graduates scattered about the country who stay in contact through the online community. The same goes for the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, in which nearly half of the U.S. states are home to at least one alumni chapter.
At OBU, it’s once a Tiger, always a Tiger. Crow said she knows a fellow alum who attended an OBU grad get-together in Chicago and felt right at home, despite not knowing anyone there initially.
Reconnecting with the old college chums is just one aspect of alumni relations. Universities have found other ways to help their alumni through career counseling, travel packages and discounts on goods and services.
The discounts are particularly helpful if a grad wants to continue learning. The UA at Fayetteville, UALR and the University of Central Arkansas offer discounts on the Kaplan test preparation courses. At UCA, alum association members get a 40 percent discount on non-credit UCA continuing education courses.
At UA, one of the bigger alumni associations in the region, members are offered a chance to see the world through one of its many Razorbacks on Tour travel outings. Also, Razorback alumni can call the Hogs all over the country by reserving a place on the Razorbacks Road Trip, which travels to select football and basketball games each year.
And while there may be no 50-yard-line stadium seats in the offing, most alumni association members usually receive a break on ticket prices to games and theater events.
According to Christian O’Neal, executive director of the UALR Alumni Association, on-campus resources can be quite a draw. At the Little Rock college, that includes discounted rates on concerts, the student center gym and Trojan basketball games.
Most colleges also give bookstore discounts, and the occasional swag at certain events.
Martino says the goodies are good, but not essential to why he joined the alumni group. That said, he’s keeping the T-shirt he received at a recent event that was meant to go to his sister, Roxane, a 2003 graduate. He picked up two and liked them so much he never gave one to her.
Roxane Martino also found it important to give back to her alma mater. One of her favorite perks is getting to keep her school e-mail address.
Colleges are offering this and more to recent graduates who become a part of the alumni group. So as many colleges ramp up the benefits, alumni stand to only gain from the connection. |
