About ub)alumni

Who are ub)alumni?

In the Latin phrase-book, the word 'alumni' is derived from the noun 'alere' - to nourish, meaning former pupil or student. For students, graduates, staff, ex-staff and friends of the University of Ballarat, it is a 'ticket to ride' with an itinerary of local and global connections.

The University's Alumni Association, now fondly known as ub)alumni was first formed in 1995 to bring together students, staff and graduates to support the University in the realisation of its mission and to encourage an active involvement in the rich community life of UB through social, intellectual and educational activities.

With a rich heritage dating back to the founding years of the School of Mines and Industries Ballarat, the ub)alumni journey spans more than 135 years and embraces an extensive community of diverse peoples and experience. Graduates, current and former staff and those who have enjoyed a close association with the University (and its institutional ancestors) have independently laid claim to a lifelong relationship with UB, while uniting to form a fellowship of knowledge.

The University is very proud of the accomplishments of our graduates and the contribution our alumni give to their chosen industry / profession, communities, and beyond. Our alumni community is diverse and extensive, made up of people from every age group, all walks of life and found all over the globe!

No matter where you are located or when you attended the university, you are part of the ever-growing ub)alumni family.

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Why should you be involved?

As individuals, alumni negotiate their own roads, but it is always good to keep your bearings! ub)alumni provides a compass for local and far-flung graduates alike, and a network of contacts for the University.

Membership is free and provides you with a landscape of opportunities to expand your social and professional networks at the local, national and international level. It also provides a valuable forum to express your opinions regarding the continuing development of the University and a platform from which to observe its many successes.

A guide to be used by globe-trotting members and the University itself, ub)alumni generates benefits for all.

Aims of ub)alumni

In support of the University’s vision and goals, ub)alumni aims to:

• Foster lifelong relationships with the global UB community;
• Enhance the national and international reputation of the University;
• Foster an environment to support the continuing involvement of alumni in the life and development of the University;
• Provide opportunities for graduates to network socially and professionally with other alumni both domestically and internationally;
• Cultivate the professionalism and lifelong learning of UB graduates;
• Promote and recognise the achievements of the University and its graduates within UB and amongst the community; and
• Provide opportunities for alumni to ‘give something back’ to the University

In support of these objectives, ub)alumni strives to provide a range of services to the alumni community, including:

• Supporting the work and activities of alumni Chapters and Networks of the University;
• Facilitating communication amongst and between the alumni community;
• Providing links between alumni and the University;
• Promoting University achievements and activities;
• Promoting alumni achievements and activities;
• Working with Schools and Chapters to value-add;
• Providing opportunities for alumni to stay involved in University activities;
• A variety of benefits and services to members

It is through your successes, contributions and continuing support that the University will continue to be a responsive and relevant university serving students, graduates and many other diverse constituencies in the global community in which we all live.

ub)alumni Project

We are pleased to report that the University is in the process of developing an active association for our valued graduates and friends. Alumni play a vital role in the University community, amongst many other things, we acknowledge the value and importance of our graduates as active and influential ambassadors for the University.

With that in mind, a project has been commissioned to design and implement a brand new alumni approach and program, that supports the University's mission and ensures its members maintain a productive and life long relationship with UB.

Project Goals for 2007:

 The following initiatives to be conducted during the course of 2007 focus on setting in place the infrastructure required to ensure alumni activities are sustainable over the long term.

1. Complete phase two of the selective tender process for a new University Alumni / Donor Management System

2006 saw completion of the first phase of a selective tender process for a new University Alumni / Donor Management System. With the beginning of 2007, phase two launched into gear.

Strategies

• Completion of RFP evaluation and shortlisting
• Demonstrations of shortlisted vendors, including system evaluation conducted by attendees
• Reference checks and site visits and preparation of final evaluation matrix
• Recommendation and negotiation
• System implementation (to be scoped and funded as a separate project), including:
• System scoping and configuration
• Data transfer and cleansing
• Staff training etc

 2. Conduct internal consultation on proposed operating approach for alumni at UB

A proposed operating approach has been formed based on outcomes of the recent internal survey initiative and research of good practice arrangements at selected Australian Universities. The success of any model will hinge on the shared understanding and agreement of key stakeholders involved. An internal consultative process will therefore be employed to discuss and refine the suggested approach prior to official recommendation and implementation.

 3. Further expand the benefits and entitlements for alumni members

Research has found that benefits and entitlements offered exclusively for alumni members often result in increased memberships. A combined initiative with the UB library has commenced to provide on-line access for alumni members to library databases and electronic resources.

Once available, ub)alumni members will have access to two of the most highly sought after database collections (EBSCO Academic Search and Business Source).

Strategies

1. Finalise application processes and login arrangements for on-line access to library databases and secure funding contribution

2. Production of promotional material

3. Revise ub)alumni website to include relevant information and URLs

4. Launch new entitlement, to be promoted via:

• ub)alumni website
• Library website
• Electronic news bulletin (see below)

 4. Re-establish regular communication with the alumni community

Regular communication is a key component of a successful alumni program. The construction of the ub)alumni website was a first step to re-engaging the UB alumni community. It is planned that 2007 will see the production and distribution of electronic ub)alumni news bulletins. These will be circulated electronically to alumni members and recent graduates and posted to the ub)alumni website.

 Strategies

1. Promote ub)alumni website:

• Business cards
• Posters
• Internal and external web pages
• Electronic news bulletin (see below)

2. Production of ub)alumni electronic news bulletins to be:

• Emailed to alumni members and recent graduates
• Posted to the ub)alumni website

5. Incorporation of the UB Alumni Chapter ( Hong Kong) and Annual Event

Strategies

1. Finalise Memorandum and Articles of Association for Chapter

2. Register Chapter as an incorporated entity with HK authorities

3. Join Chapter as member of the Federation of Australian Alumni Associations (FAAA)

4. Coordinate a Chapter event to coincide with the 2007 HK Graduation Celebration

Project Goals for 2008:

1. Research the interests and needs of the alumni community

Research has shown that having an alumni relations program (ie program offerings including events, communications, benefits, entitlements etc) that is tailored to the interests and needs of the alumni community is critical to its ultimate and ongoing success. In view of this, a market research firm be employed in 2008 to oversee a research project, the goals of which will be to:

• Identify the needs and wants of the current alumni (including TAFE and HE graduates dating back to 2002, current students, staff and ex staff);
• Identify preferred program of offerings ( including events, communications, entitlements and services etc) ;
• Increase membership; and
• Cleanse existing records (ie track and update alumni contact and career information)

Proposed methodology:

1. Questionnaire – to be administered both on-line and by mail / fax

2. Focus Groups – six in total (including ex staff, current staff, current TAFE students, current HE students, TAFE graduates, HE graduates)

2. Develop a University Alumni Relations Program

Results from the research conducted above will form the basis of a University alumni relations program (ie schedule of events and program offerings).

3. Chapter development

It is intended that Chapters will become a critical part of the University’s Alumni Relations program. Organised and managed by local alumni volunteers, chapter activities and events will bring alumni together for social interaction, networking, professional development and lifelong learning.

If you would like further information on the progress of the University Alumni Project, please contact us.