Fee for Membership
The recommendation so far, is to make the alumni membership free. However, can a nominal one-time fee be assessed to offset the initial cost? If the alumni member benefits exceed the cost, then I don't see why it would be a problem. For example: Movie theaters and restaurants charge an initial fee to be a member. Yet the benefits over time long outway the initial cost.
Suellen,
I agree with your strategy to make your services free for your alumni. I'm still curious why you're planning to include students who have not graduated. By definition, they don't fall into the 'alumni' definition. Am I correct in assuming you have a plan to offer services that may not be offered to them anywhere else? That's great - but you may need to add another 'term' that would include them.
June Gudeman
If membership is comprised of both alums and students who did not graduate, I would keep the membership fee free for alums. I would like to charge a small membership for students who did not graduate. Is this something that has been done on other campuses?
Samantha,
If your graduates ACTUALLY can see the benefits to them and see the value of membership, you could try it. However,I think you'll get more participation without a fee. If there is a way to get the financial support you need from your institution and make the message to your graduates one of 'appreciation', it may be a better way to go.
June Gudeman
