A number of years ago we pulled a random sample and attached stamps, while the rest of the group was metered. The mailing went to our alumni who had not given in 5+ years. There was no difference in the response rate between the two groups. I agree about window envelopes. We only use windows for receipts and pledge reminders, never for appeal ...

Years ago our university offered Master's degrees but now only undergrad. We make the undergrad the Primary so they will be grouped with their peers for reunions. We also have BBNC and have tried to explain on the website that if they have more than one degree from OBU, they must choose ONE to identify with. However, our BBNC set-up DOES allow the ...

Another issue I've heard discussed on this topic is the problem with alumni feeling like if they pay the annual "subscription" for the magazine, then they've donated to the university. We don't charge for our magazine. As printing and postage costs have risen, we've cut back on the number of issues from 4 to 2 per year. Our alumni can ...

When communicating to our alumni about this issue, we call this their "preferred reunion year." As others have stated, we store this year in the "Class Of" field. Naturally, the Alumni Office uses this field exclusively in grouping people for events. In Development, we also use this field when organizing Class Campaigns. We ...

We have not. Cost is the #1 factor. Our site license is for 7 users. We have a workstation in the President's Office that can "view only" all information. Alumni has 1 workstation with no access to gifts, can only add Notes, and cannot view Confidential or Prospect Notepad types. They can run queries and export information for ...

Initial disclaimer--Every university does things differently and I may not be understanding the question, but..... Our funds are VERY specific. If someone gives to the School of Business and it's unrestricted, we have a specific fund # for that. If they give to the School of Business and restrict it for student "field trips" within ...

Please share policy/philosophy about granting requests BY ALUMNI for alumni lists. We get requests for lists for wedding invitations ("Send me names/addresses of classes 95-98 who were in my sorority."); calls from individuals asking for address/phone for 1 or 2 people. Also, do you have alumni "chapters" in other ...

Laura: What is your lowest Donor Level that you list? We have a $1 - $99 group that is huge. We are thinking about NOT listing it, and using those pages for the class lists. That's the dilemma. Will a donor of less than $100 dollars that's a non-grad be offended because their LEVEL is no longer listed, they weren't included in a CLASS ...

To those who recognize their donors by listing them by class year: What is your philosophy on listing ONLY graduates vs. listing grads AND "former students". We want to begin listing by class year to encourage alumni participation, but have a number of former students (who left without getting a degree) who give every year. We are ...

Rebecca: I'm interested in your "test conversion." Please elaborate. Was this to a stand-alone? Do you use RE in a network environment?