February 1997
Secretary's Report

Attendance:
134 Alumni Meeting Attendees (attendance in our meeting is open to alumni, faculty, and current students) logged into the Online Campus ALEX meeting (ALUMNI) between October 1996 and the end of January 1997. One hundred eleven (111) meeting attendees logged into the meeting during the month of January 1997.

Old / Ongoing News:

Pre-graduation dinner cruise:
The Alumni sponsors the pre-graduation dinner cruise which means that the Alumni Network might have to underwrite the expense, if participation is not sufficient to cover cost. There were several complaints brought up in the Alumni Meeting concerning: cramped area, mediocre food and service, inability to conveniently mingle and meet classmates/facilitators/staff. These complaints support the concept of offering a pre-cruise gathering place. Previous cruises, UoP had reserved the whole ship, but then there had been complaints that it was too spread out. One year ('94) held a 'Taste of San Francisco' in the hotel, which was not as well received as the cruises. However, Terri (Online VP) has indicated that the Graduation Committee would entertain other ideas.

The Alumni Reunion (Pre-cruise Mixer and Sunday AM Breeakfast Meeting:
With graduation moved up to June, planning needs to move on organizing the Reunion.   A  branch meeting was opened off the Alumni Meeting to facilitate conversation and planning

Merchandising:
Table at graduation events, orders taken and paid for with the product shipped after the event. This has been done in the past but people are needed to 'man' the tables if it is done this year, but should be able to be tied with the Reunion.

Website marketing and either hiring a fullment company to do the work OR work with a 'landed' UoP bookstore. If we work with a 'landed' bookstore provide a 'full catalog' or brochure (direct mailing to Alumni or Web page). UoP National had a test Web page up to sell merchandise but were told (by UoP President) to pull it. They are not sure why, but are working to have it re-approved.

Work through with the Online Boutique, but there seem to be a couple of problems with that. First the Online Boutique provides descriptions but basically the product is purchased sight-unseen. Second, apparently alot of times orders to the Online Boutique go unfilled.

Advertise through Future magazine

A suggestion was made that we order our material through the same supplier as 'landed' bookstores, but it was discovered that they do not use the same vendor. Lands End and LL Bean were suggested as suppliers which do offer volume discounts and have Corportate Sales Divisions.

In the past, Tom Williams has worked with us to get shirts, sweatshirts, clocks, etc., that have been sold at graduation. he has suppliers, but his merchandise has not been campus-related.

Videotaping Graduation:
Videotape the ceremony, take orders before and after, and mail the tape

Logistics:
Hire a crew to videotape the ceremony.

Film and/or Audio/Visual Students (High School or College or VoTech might be possible sources)

Find an entrepreneaur who's building a business. The advertising, networking, perputation possibilities might encourage them to consider discounting their services...

The film could be used by the University as a sales tool, so it might be possible to seek help from the University Marketing Dept.

Comments:

Wouldn' pay more than $10 - $15 for the ceremony itself. Up to $20 if the facility and interviews with faculty and staff were included. If exceptional would consider $25.

Easily worth $20 for ceremony itself - just for the memory value and opportunity to share the experience with family and friends who didn't attend.

Other Related Ideas:
Publish a yearbook

Hire photographer to take candid shots during the ceremony - providing students an opportunity to bring home some memories

Carol Din, Secretary