California Community Colleges Alumni Affairs Survey. Alumni Affairs

Transcription

1 California Community Colleges Alumni Affairs Survey Alumni Affairs Prepared by: Sunnary T. Adeva California Community Colleges Alumni Affairs Survey Institutional Research Chaffey College Date: September 26, 2005

2 Executive Summary: This survey intends to assess the current state of Alumni Affairs Programs on California Community College campuses. During the academic year, Chaffey College contacted the majority of the California Community College Foundation and Alumni Offices in the state of California to inquire about their Alumni efforts. The findings of the research are as follows: Demographical Information of California Community Colleges (of respondents): 68% of colleges are from Southern California 54% of colleges are from a multi-campus district 38% of colleges has an estimate FTES between 10,001 to 20,000 54% of colleges define alumni as anyone completing a course Current Status of Alumni Program on Campus (of respondents): 50% of colleges currently has an Alumni Program in place 25% of colleges are still in the planning stage 53% of colleges do not have a strategic plan The top three goals identified for the Alumni Association were to inform alumni, friend raising, and to establishing continued connections to the campus 40% of colleges indicated that their Alumni Programs have been in existence for more than 10 years 57% of colleges indicated that their Alumni Program has been disbanded and resurrected Alumni Membership on Campus (of respondents): 57% of colleges are identifying alumni to get an association started 46% of colleges are reviewing the college database to get an association started 35% of colleges are soliciting college support to help get an association started 59% of colleges have an active Alumni Association 82% of colleges indicated they have a membership fee for their Alumni Association 58% of colleges use return address mailings to help maintain an accurate Alumni database 41% of colleges have between 100 to 300 members 85% of colleges allow friends to join their Alumni Association 2

3 Alumni Benefits/Services Offered to Students (of respondents): 46% of colleges do not have affinity groups or chapters 67% of colleges offer benefits to Alumni Association members 50% invite Alumni to campus events 46% offer library services 42% offer tickets to athletic events 35% offer Alumni cards 46% have Scholarship Programs 28% hold Hall of Fame events Alumni Association Program Structure and Finances (of respondents): 32% of colleges indicated their Alumni Program structure is based upon board members 21% of colleges indicated that the responsibilities of the Alumni Program are performed by the Foundation Director 21% of colleges have a full-time alumni staff position 53% communicate with Alumni by sending letters and invitations 50% communicate with Alumni through newsletters 30% of colleges indicated that their Alumni budget is between $1000 to $5,000 annually 42% of colleges indicated their Alumni Program is funded by membership fees 32% of colleges indicated their Alumni Program is funded by donations 3

4 Overview: Introduction: In the Fall 2005 semester, the Director of Alumni Affairs requested assistance from the Institutional Research Office to design a survey to help assess the status of Alumni Programs amongst the 109 community colleges throughout the state of California. Methodology: The California Community Colleges Alumni Affairs Survey was sent via to all 109 community colleges in the state of California. The provided a link for the Alumni and/or Foundation Offices to be completed online. A total of 30 colleges in California participated in the current study, with a response rate of 28%. The California Community College Survey was sent out to all community colleges in California in mid August. The colleges were given approximately four weeks to complete the survey online. Due to a lower response rate than anticipated, a follow-up reminder was sent to all the community college Offices of Foundation and Alumni Affairs in California requesting the completion of the survey. 4

5 Findings: Results: The California Community Colleges Survey was sent to all Alumni and Foundation Offices at the community colleges in the state of California. The responses of the 30 colleges will be documented in the subsequent reports, tables and charts. The majority of the colleges that responded to the survey are from Southern California (68%) and mainly; they are also from a multi-campus district. Additionally, 38% of these colleges have an estimated FTES between 10,001 to 20,000. Currently, half of all the colleges that responded to survey actually have an Alumni Program in place. Currently, of the college respondents that currently, do not have an Alumni Association in place; they are busy identifying alumni, reviewing the database, and soliciting college support to help get an Alumni Association started. Of those respondents that do not have an Alumni Association in place, 21% indicated they lack monetary and personnel resources to even begin an Alumni Program. Table 1: Estimated FTES per term a Frequency b Percent c Under 5,000 FTES 3 13% 5,000 10,000 FTES 7 29% 10,001 20,000 FTES 9 38% 20,001 40,000 FTES 5 21% More than 40,000 FTES 0 0% a The number of FTES per term; b N=30; c The percent of responses The majority of colleges defined an alumnus as someone completing a course (54%). The top three major goals that were identified for the alumni programs were to inform alumni, friend raising, and establishing continued connections to the campus. The majority of Alumni Programs have either been in existence for more than ten years (32%) or they are still in the planning stage (25%) of an Alumni Program. Table 2: College definition of Alumni a Frequency b Percent c Graduated with a degree or certificate 4 14% Completed a course 15 54% Completed a certain number of units 3 11% 7 21% All of the above (2) (<1%) Attended or wants to support college by being a (1) (<1%) friend By practice not by policy (1) (<1%) No formal definition (2) (<1%) Under consideration moving towards a completed course (1) (<1%) a The college s definition of Alumni; b N=30; c The percent of responses 5

6 Figure 1: Has your Alumni Program even been disbanded and resurrected? 5% No 38% Yes 57% The majority of colleges do charge a membership fee for the Alumni Association (82%). Furthermore, 85% of colleges do allow friends to join their Alumni Association. The average cost for individual annual membership is approximately $24. The average lifetime individual membership is approximately $147. Additionally, 42% of college respondents indicated that the Alumni Program is currently being funded through membership fees. Table 3: Average Amount for Membership Median Amount for Membership Lowest Amount for Membership Highest Amount for Membership Number of Responses Annual Individual $24 $25 $10 $35 N=14 Annual Family $32 $32 $15 $50 N=10 Life Individual $147 $150 $100 $250 N=10 Life Family $235 $200 $150 $500 N=7 Of the respondents, 67% of the colleges provide benefits to the Alumni Association members. Such benefits include but are not limited to; invites to campus events, library services, tickets to athletic events, an alumni card and tickets to theatrical events. Among the survey respondents; the types of events that are held by the Alumni Program are scholarship programs, hall of fame, homecomings and reunions. 6

7 Of the respondents that currently have an Alumni Program in place, only 25% have a strategic plan. According to responding colleges, 32% indicated that their Alumni Program is structured by board members. Furthermore, 30% of college respondents also indicated that their annul budget for the Alumni Program is between $1000 to $5,000. Figure 2: Does your Alumni Program have a strategic plan? 22% Yes 25% No 53% Colleges were asked how long their Alumni Program been in existence, 32% indicated more than 10 years and other colleges (25%) indicated they were still in the planning stages for an Alumni Program. Of the college respondents that currently have an active Alumni Association (59%), approximately 41% have between 100 to 300 members. Additionally, 58% of colleges use returned address mailings to help maintain their Alumni database. Figure 3: How long has your Alumni Program been in existence? 1-3 years 9% 4-6 years 5% More than 10 years 40% 7-10 years 5% In the planning stage 32% Less than 1 year 9% 7

8 Conclusion: The intention of this study was to assess the current state of the alumni affairs programs on the campuses of the California Community Colleges. During the academic year, Chaffey College contacted the majority of the Community Colleges Foundation and Alumni programs in the state of California to inquire about their alumni efforts. The overall responses the California Community Colleges Survey indicate that there are two types of groups that are becoming more apparent on the community college campuses of California. The colleges that have an Alumni office that have been in existence for over ten years; and the colleges that are relatively new and are still in the planning stage of their Alumni Programs. Additionally, these colleges have similar goals for their Alumni Programs. Such goals include informing alumni, to help foster fellowship, to established continued connection to the campus and to raise friends. It was also further noted that at least half (53%) of all the colleges that responded to the survey do not have strategic plan in place for an Alumni Program. This type of research allows the Alumni/Foundation Offices in the community college system in California to assess what types of services are other Alumni Offices offering students. As well as, find out what techniques works well for other colleges in maintaining an accurate and successful Alumni Program. The majority of the Alumni Programs on community college campuses are usually housed or imbedded within the Foundation Office. Therefore, the success of the Alumni Programs can also be supported and guided; but not limited to the Foundation Office. 8

9 Draft APPENDIX A This survey intends to assess the current state of alumni affairs programs on California Community College campuses. During the academic year, Chaffey College contacted the majority of the California Community College Foundation and Alumni programs in the state of California to inquire about their alumni efforts. To ensure a more comprehensive study, we are asking you to complete the attached survey. The data collected will be summarized in a report and be available for your use. Thank you for your assistance in contributing to this statewide project. It is our belief that this data will assist us, and other community colleges, in creating quality alumni outreach efforts and programs. Name of College: California Community Colleges Alumni Affairs Survey Name of Person Completing Form: (First Name) Last Name: Title of Person Completing Form: Address: 1.) Where is your college located? Northern California Central California Southern California 3.) What is your college's estimated FTES per term? Under 5,000 FTES 5,000-10,000 FTES 10,001-20,000 FTES 20,001-40,000 FTES More than 40,000 FTES 2.) What type of campus are you? Single campus district Multiple campus district 4.) How does your college define an Alumni? Graduated with a degree or certificate Completed a course Completed a certain number of units (# of units) 5.) Does your college have an Alumni Program? Yes No (skip to #28) In planning stage (please answer any relevant questions) 6.) Does your Alumni Program have a strategic plan? Yes No 7.) Please describe the goals for your Alumni Program: (check all that apply) Informing Alumni Foster fellowship "Friend raising" Fund raising Opportunities for governance Established continued connection to the campus 10.) Has your Alumni Program ever been disbanded and resurrected? Yes No 8.) How long has your Alumni Program been in existence? In planning stage 4-6 years Less than 1 year 7-10 years 1-3 years More than 10 years 9.) Under which department is the Alumni Program housed? Foundation Office Student Activities/Services 11.) Do you have an active Alumni Association? Yes No (skip to # 14) 12.) Is there a membership fee for your Alumni Association? Yes No (please explain why and then skip to #14) 13.) Please give the amount for membership charged to each member: $ $ $ $ 15.) How many members are in your Alumni Association? Less than 100 members members members members More than 1001 members Annual individual membership Annual family membership Life individual membership Life family membership 14.) How do you maintain an accurate Alumni database? Out source to a private firm Use return address mailings Newspaper surveys 16.) How many alumni records are in your current college database? Less than 1,000 members 1,000 to 5,000 members 5,001 to 10,1000 members 10,001 to 15,000 members 15,001 to 20,000 members 20,001 to 25,000 members 25,001 to 30,000 members 30,001 to 35,000 members 35,001 to 40,000 members 40,001 to 45,000 members 45,001 to 50,000 members More than 50,000 members 9

10 APPENDIX A Draft 17.) Do you allow "friends" (not alumni) to join your alumni association? Yes No 18.) Please indicate your Alumni Program structure: Board (# of members) Advisory committee (# of members) 19.) Do you have "affinity" alumni groups or chapters? (i.e., Nursing, African Americans) Yes No 20.) Do you provide benefits to Alumni Association members? Yes No (skip to #22) 21.) Check all Alumni Association benefits that apply: Alumni card License plate holders Credit Union Decals, pens, pins, etc. Job placement Invites to campus events Library services Tickets to athletic events Career services Tickets to theatrical events Travel programs Passes to campus fitness center Bookstore discount 22.) What type of Alumni events do you hold? Reunions Hall of fame Homecoming Cultural Events Scholarship Programs Alumni in the classroom Community services program Continuing educational program Events for "emeritus" employees Participation on department advisory committees 23.) How do you communicate with Alumni? Newsletters Web page Letters, invitations Phone calls On-line alumni community 24.) Please describe the kinds of working relationships/collaborations you have established between your Alumni Program and other offices on campus. 25.) What is the Alumni Program's annual budget? under $1,000 $1,000 - $5,000 $5,001 - $10,000 over $10, ) How is the Alumni Program funded? Grants Membership fees Donations District support Fund raisers Foundation support Private funds 27.) Please describe your Alumni Staff: (check all that apply) Non-existent Responsibilities shared amongst other staff members Responsibilities performed by Foundation Director Part-time position Full-time position Paid by Foundation Paid by District Split Paid by Foundation Paid by District Split 28.) What are you doing to get an Alumni Association started? (check all that apply) Identifying Alumni Reviewing database Soliciting college support Networking with community Conducting a feasibility study Planning/hosting Alumni events Networking with college personnel Consulting with college Public Information Office 29.) If you do not have an Alumni Program, please indicate the reason why: A District priority but lacks monetary and personnel resources A Foundation priority but lacks monetary and personnel resources Both a district and Foundation priority but lacks monetary and personnel resources Not a District priority Not a Foundation priority 30.) Are there any additional comments you would like to share with us? Thank you for completing the survey! 10

11 APPENDIX B Table 1: College Location a Frequency b Percent c Northern California 3 11% Central California 6 21% Southern California 19 68% a Location of Institution; b N=30; c The percent of responses Table 2: Type of Campus a Frequency b Percent c Single campus district 11 39% Multiple campus district 15 54% 2 7% Single campus w/centers in downtown Blythe and Needles (1) 3% Single campus working on a center (1) 3% a The type of campus; b N=30; c The percent of responses Table 3: Goals for Alumni Program s Frequency b Percent c Informing Alumni 21 75% Foster fellowship 17 61% Friend raising 21 75% Fund raising 18 64% Opportunity for governance 3 10% Established continued connection to the campus 20 71% 3 10% College advancement Development office (3) (10%) a Please describe goals for the Alumni Program; b N=30 c The percent of responses (multiple responses) Table 4: Do you have an active Alumni Association? a Frequency b Percent c Yes 13 59% No 9 41% a Do you have an Alumni Association?; b N=30; c The percent of responses Table 5: Is there a membership fee for your Alumni Association? a Frequency b Percent c Yes 14 82% No 3 18% a Is there a membership fee for your Alumni Association?; b N=30; c The percent of responses 11

12 APPENDIX B Table 6: How do you maintain an accurate Alumni database? a Frequency b Percent c Out source to a private firm 2 11% Use return address mailings 11 58% Newspaper surveys 0 0% 6 32% MIS software with Accu-Mail (1) (4%) Input names of all yearly graduates (1) (4%) Donor identified, plans to import graduate (1) (4%) Information from Admission & Records Just beginning to investigate (1) (4%) Out source and update with current grads (1) (4%) We use the list of graduates (1) (4%) Right now they are in a separate file and our (1) (4%) and our donor database We work with divisions to get the names (1) (4%) a How do you maintain an accurate Alumni database?; b N=30; c The percent of responses Table 7: Alumni Association members a Frequency b Percent c Less than 100 members 4 24% members 7 41% members 2 12% members 3 18% More than 1001 members 1 6% a How many members are in your Alumni Association?; b N=30; c The percent of responses Table 8: How many alumni records are in your current college databese a Frequency b Percent c Less than 1,000 members 5 26% 1,000 to 5,000 members 2 11% 5,001 to 10,000 members 3 16% 10,001 to 15,000 members 1 5% 15,001 to 20,000 members 2 11% 20,001 t0 25,000 members 0 0% 25,001 to 30,000 members 1 5% 30,001 to 35,000 members 0 0% 35,001 to 40,000 members 0 0% 40,0001 to 45,000 members 1 5% 45,001 to 50,000 members 1 5% More than 50,000 members 3 16% a How many alumni records are in your current college database?; b N=30; c The percent of responses Table 9: Do you allow friends (not alumni) to join your alumni association? a Frequency b Percent c Yes 17 85% No 3 15% 0 0% a Do you allow friends to join your Alumni Association?; b N=30; c The percent of responses 12

13 APPENDIX B Table 10: Do you have affinity alumni groups or chapters? a Frequency b Percent c Yes 9 41% No 10 46% 4 14% Not yet, we hope to within 2 years (1) (3%) Nursing, Geology, athletics, retirees (1) (3%) Only as fundraising support groups (1) (3%) Working on affinity groups (1) (3%) a Do you have affinity alumni groups or chapters?; b N=30; c The percent of responses Table 11: Do you provide benefits to Alumni Association members? a Frequency b Percent c Yes 10 67% No 3 20% 2 13% Undecided for association (1) (6%) We hope to in the future (1) (6%) a Do you provide benefits to Alumni Association members?; b N=30 c The percent of responses Table 12: Alumni benefits offered by your college a Frequency b Percent c Alumni card 10 35% Credit Union 4 14% Job placement 5 17% Library services 13 46% Career services 5 17% Travel programs 3 10% Bookstore discount 5 17% License plate holders 3 10% Decals, pens, pins, etc. 5 17% Invites to campus events 14 50% Tickets to athletic events 12 42% Tickets to theatrical events 7 25% Passes to campus fitness center 3 10% 6 21% Discounts to theatrical events (1) (3%) Discounts to theatre and sporting events-not free (1) (3%) Insurance discounts, annual publications (1) (3%) Newsletters (1) (3%) T-shirts (1) (3%) a Alumni Association benefits that are offered by your college; b N=30; c The percent of responses 13

14 APPENDIX B Table 13: What type of events do you hold? a Frequency b Percent c Reunion 6 21% Hall of fame 11 29% Homecoming 8 28% Cultural Events 1 3% Scholarship Programs 13 46% Alumni in the classroom 0 0% Community services program 3 10% Continuing educational program 0 0% Events for emeritus employees 3 10% Participation on department advisory committees 4 14% 6 21% Annual award banquet scholarship awarded and (1) (3%) alumni honored Fundraisers (1) (3%) Grants (1) (3%) Just beginning to plan (1) (3%) Some divisions have reunions (1) (3%) Working towards all of the above (1) (3%) a What type of events do you hold?; b N=30; c The percent of responses Table 14: How do you communicate with Alumni? a Frequency b Percent c Newsletters 14 50% Web page 9 32% 7 25% Letters, invitations 15 53% Phone calls 5 17% On-line alumni community 1 3% 3 10% In the process of rebuilding. Developing a website with chat rooms, e-newsletters (1) (3%) Word of mouth (1) (3%) Just begging to plan (1) (3%) a How do you communicate with Alumni?; b N=30; c The percent of responses Table 15: What is the Alumni annual budget? a Frequency b Percent c Under $1, % $1,000 - $5, % $5,001 - $10, % Over $10, % 4 20% No budget (1) (5%) No specific budget - $15,000 for annual fund (1) (5%) which will include some mailings to alums this fall Not determined (1) (5%) We have not reached that stage yet (1) (5%) a What is the Alumni annual budget?; b N=30; c The percent of responses 14

15 APPENDIX B Table 16: How is the Alumni Program funded? a Frequency b Percent c Grants 1 <1% Donations 9 32% Fund raisers 5 17% Private funds 1 <1% Membership fees 12 42% District support 2 7% Foundation support 10 (5%) 3 (5%) Alumni Program part of Foundation (1) (5%) ASB funds a How is the Alumni Program funded?; b N=30; c The percent of responses Table 17: Alumni staff a Frequency b Percent c Non existent 5 17% Responsibilities shared amongst other staff members 5 17% Responsibilities performed by Foundation Director 6 21% Part time position 4 14% Paid by Foundation 1 2% Paid by district 4 14% Split 0 0% 0 0% Full - time position 6 21% Paid by Foundation 2 7% Paid by district 3 10% Split 1 2% 0 0% 2 4% Full time person with part time responsibility to Alumni paid in part by foundation and part by (1) (2%) district Group coordinator (1) (2%) a Please describe your Alumni staff; b N=30 c The percent of responses Table 18: What are you doing to get an Alumni Association started? a Frequency b Percent c Identifying Alumni 16 57% Reviewing database 13 46% Soliciting college support 10 35% Networking with community 8 28% Conducting a feasibility study 2 7% Planning/hosting Alumni events 8 28% Networking with college personnel 8 28% Consulting with college Public Information Office 6 21% 5 17% Consulting with Institutional Research (1) (3%) Forming advisory committees, researching activities with other colleges (1) (3%) No current action plan (1) (3%) Public information releases; website information; Alumni section in college magazine (1) (3%) Trying to build consensus that an Alumni Association is beneficial to the college (1) (3%) a What are you doing to get an Alumni Association started?; b N=30; c The percent of responses 15

16 APPENDIX B Table 19: If you do not have an Alumni Program, please indicate the reason why a Frequency b Percent c A district priority but lacks monetary and personnel resources 5 17 A Foundation priority by lacks monetary and personnel resources 5 17 Both a district and Foundation priority but lacks monetary and personnel resources 6 21% Not a district priority 4 14% Not a Foundation priority 1 5% 4 14% Poor strategy/lack of planning in the past (1) (3%) Review of feasibility study and approval pending (1) (3%) a Please indicate the reason you do not have an Alumni Program; b N=30 c The percent of responses 16

17 Table 20.1: Please explain why there is not a membership fee for your Alumni Association? Statements a Frequency b Percent c The membership fee is the same as our annual giving programs. 1 16% The most recent graduates are offered their first year free if they join the Alumni Association. 1 16% To cover the costs of printing and benefits 1 16% We feel that more it s important to connect with them and then have them donated than receive an annual fee (which would probably 1 16% be a smaller amount than they will donate). We need to get them on-board before we ask them for money. 1 16% We started by having a $25.00 membership fee. Our VP of Business doesn t think the Alumni should be arm off the college and that is why the issue remains where the membership checks should be deposited. 1 16% Total 6 100% a Please explain why there is not a membership fee for you Alumni Association?; b The number of statements; c The percentage of statements Table 20.2: Please describe the kinds of working relationships/collaborations you have established between your Alumni Program and other offices on campus Statements a Frequency b Percent c 1.) The Alumni Association provides two scholarships annually 2.) The Journalism students help write articles on successful Alumni for the student newspaper and for Alumni publications. 3.) Through telecommunications department and the student radio stations, students conduct interviews of successful Alumni, faculty, and retirees which are captured for use on the web. Campus career 1 14% centers lists Alumni web-page career job postings on all of their correspondence to employers, creating more job postings for Alumni. None at this time we are in the very early stages of establishing a group. There is not currently a project to connect with, other than involving faculty and staff in an AVC Achievement Award Program Committee. 1 14% Strong connections to various campus departments through the foundation. Positive reputation overall and highly regarded on campus. The Alumni Association s visible leadership participation in the district s local bond initiative two years ago increased the 1 14% campus appreciation for Alumni as our most ardent supporters. The Alumni Association works with departments and programs that are interested in collaborative efforts e.g.: theater arts, athletics, 1 14% and student affairs. Our Alumni Office interacts with various groups on campus 1 14% Working towards good communication on campus 1 14% Work through the Foundation Office and have close ties with Student Services. 1 14% Total 7 100% a Please describe the kinds of working relationships or collaborations you have established between your Alumni Program and other offices on campus; b The number of statements; c The percentage of statements 17

18 Table 20.3: Are there any additional comments you would like to share with us? Statements a Frequency b Percent c Developing an Alumni Association is probably not in the cards for the Fund Development Program for a number of years. We would 1 12% need to determine that the existence of such an association would directly increase the amount of private giving to the college. I believe that the challenges of having an Alumni Program are in the funding and campus support. 1 12% I feel that we need to add more staff. 1 12% It s challenging to create a robust program with little or no resources, yet alumni can provide the foundation for our community 1 12% relations and a pipeline for ongoing funding quite a challenge. My first priority is the Foundation. While there are several umbrella organizations under our foundation, we do not have the staff to facilitate them. These organizations (including the Alumni Association) make what ever progress it can because it is driven by 1 12% volunteers serving on its respective boards or in other capacities. As Executive Director, it pains me to tell folks that we do not have the staff to help implement a task or project. Fortunately, there are some volunteers that picked up the ball. None 1 12% We are in the process of rebuilding. 1 12% We would love to have a more active program but there is not enough staff to support it. 1 12% Total 8 100% a Addidtional comments and/or suggestions; b The number of comments and/or suggestions; c The percentage of comments and/or suggestions 18