Frequently Asked Questions
• |
What
change is underway with the Miami University Alumni
Association? Answer
|
| • |
Why is
Miami University Alumni Association adding a dues-based
program? Answer
|
| • |
How much are dues for membership
in the Miami University Alumni Association?
Answer
|
| • |
Can I join
the Miami University Alumni Association if I'm
not a graduate of Miami University?
Answer
|
| • |
How do I join the Miami University
Alumni Association? Answer
|
| • |
What if
I chose not to be a member of the Miami University
Alumni Association, will I still receive my Miamian
magazine?
Answer
|
| • |
If I'm
a major donor, am I automatically a member of
the Miami University Alumni Association?
Answer
|
| • |
I still
have some unanswered questions. Who do I ask?
Answer
|
What
change is underway with the Miami University Alumni
Association?
A: Miami University defines
a person as an alumna/us of the University once they
have completed one or more semesters. The Miami
University Alumni Association currently provides programming,
communication, and services to all alumni, friends,
prospective students, and supporters of the University.
This approach will not change.
Beginning August of 2003, for
those persons - Miami alumni, friends, prospective
students, supporters, etc - who choose to become members
of the Miami University Alumni Association, once they
have paid their dues (annual, joint, or lifetime)
they will begin to receive additional programs
and services from the Miami University Alumni Association.
So, the Miami University Alumni
Association will continue to serve all alumni, however
those choosing to obtain a deeper engagement by paying
dues will receive additional benefits and services.
Back
to top
Q:
Why is Miami University Alumni Association adding
a dues-based program?
A: There are three main reasons
for this new program:
1) Through research we learned that many alumni
were not aware they were members of the alumni association.
Although 96% had heard of the association, only 43%
understood that they were members. This identity issue
can be resolved by introducing a dues-paying model.
Alumni will know that they are in fact active members
of the alumni association when they pay their dues.
2) As we sought to offer new programs, we needed
to identify a source of revenue to fund these new
programs. Many universities adopted a dues based alumni
association model since the inception of their university.
Others moved to this model as state support diminished.
Miami has found state funding for higher education
in Ohio continuing to decrease each year. After much
research, debate, and consideration a recommendation
was adopted by the Miami University Alumni Board of
Directors to move forward with this new model.
3) With this funding, the Miami University Alumni
Association will be able to continue current programs,
offer new services and develop new ways in which the
alumni population can stay active in the life of the
University, making a stronger Miami. A stronger Miami
means continued growth in the value of a Miami degree
for all alumni.
Bottom line, as many organizations today are finding,
you must continue to reinvent yourself and change
with the times in order to thrive and meet the changing
needs of your customers, in our case alumni and constituents.
Most universities with which we benchmark our programs
have operated dues-based associations for many years,
and in some cases, always. It is an excellent tool
to help target those alumni who are most interested
in playing a more active role, or those who desire
increased interaction and benefits from their association.
With a stronger alumni association, we will all continue
to make Miami University the best it can be.
Back
to top
Q:
How much are dues for membership in the Miami University
Alumni Association?
A: Rates will be as follows
| • |
Annual membership in the Alumni Association for an individual is $45 and is $55 for a couple residing at the same address. Annual memberships are on a rolling 12-month renewal cycle. |
| • |
Annual membership for new grads (those who have graduated within the past year) is $15. |
| • |
Lifetime memberships are available for the price of $750 for an individual and $900 for a couple residing at the same address. A three-year payment option is available if paid by check or credit card. A monthly payment plan called EasyPay is also available for credit card payments over 40 months for just $18.75 for an individual lifetime membership, or just $22.50 for a joint lifetime membership. |
| • |
Rates effective 8/1/2003 - 7/31/2006. |
Membership dues will be used to provide alumni benefits such as additional targeted communications, career services, web hosting fees, as well as alumni awards.
A portion of the membership dues will be allocated to the local active chapter in which the member resides for use in chapter programming or to support scholarships that assist students from the local community. If a chapter does not exist in the area in which the member resides, the allocation will go into the chapter general fund for chapter leadership training and support.
Back
to top
Q:
Can I join the Miami University Alumni Association
if I'm not a graduate of Miami University?
A: Yes! The Miami University
Alumni Association is for all "alumni and friends"
of Miami University. "Alumni" includes both
Miami graduates and those who attended Miami, while
"friends" means parents, relatives, fans,
advocates, donors, Oxford community members, and so
on- -anyone with an interest in supporting the university.
We encourage anyone with an interest in supporting
the university to become a member of the Miami University
Alumni Association.
Back
to top
How
do I join the Miami University Alumni Association?
A: After August, 2003, you can join online at www.MiamiAlum.org.
Or you can request our membership application by writing
Miami University Alumni Association, 725 East Chestnut
Street, Murstein Alumni Center, Oxford, OH 45056.
Membership dues payments can be made via fax to (513)
529-1466 (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American
Express). Or just call (513) 529-5957.
Back
to top
Q:
What if I choose not to be a member of the Miami University
Alumni Association, will I still receive my Miamian
magazine?
A: Yes! As an alumna(us) of
Miami, you will continue to receive everything that
you now receive from the Alumni Association. This
includes the Miamian magazine, email forwarding, e-newsletters,
the ability to find a classmate online, and the opportunity
to participate in reunion weekend as well as local
chapter events, to name a few.
Back
to top
Q:
If I'm a major donor, am I automatically a member
of the Miami University Alumni Association?
A: No. Membership in the Association
and gifts to the University are separate items.
Your dues payment supports specific programs of the
Miami University Alumni Association, for which you
receive direct benefit. Your tax deductible gift/contribution
to the University for the Red & White Club, Annual
Fund, Parents Fund, Class Scholarship Fund or Capital
Campaign may be designated to any area of the University,
and will support these areas specifically as well
as the University in general.
We hope you'll both join the
Association and make an annual gift to the University.
Your support as always is greatly appreciated.
Back
to top
Q.
I still have some unanswered questions. Who do I ask?
A: Feel free to contact us
and let us know what's on your mind. We'll get back
to you as soon as possible.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel
free to contact Jennifer
Clark.
|
