UMass Amherst Alumni Association

News

UMass System Review - Continuing the Conversation

In a letter to alumni on June 20, 2007, when the topic of a UMass system review was first made public, former Alumni Association president Hal Lane ’60 stated, “The UMass Amherst Alumni Association is dedicated to working in the best interest of students, alumni, and the University and will continue to work to ensure a fair evaluation and representation of alumni interests.”  This statement remains true today as the Alumni Association steadfastly works to strengthen UMass Amherst, raise its national profile, and add value to a UMass Amherst degree through its ever-expanding programs and services.

In the past three years, alumni programming has increased 87 percent, with 200 events delivered last year alone across the country. Attendance at these events has increased by 82 percent, alumni volunteer activity grew 103 percent, and each month we communicate directly, via an e-newsletter, with 75,000 alumni who want to stay involved. In response to the increased levels of alumni engagement and support, the Alumni Association will soon launch a redesigned web site at UMassAlumni.com, featuring a new Alumni Online Community and expanded career-development tools.

In order to continue elevating the national profile and reputation of the University of Massachusetts as a top-tier University, the Alumni Association is eager to be involved in evaluating and contributing to plans that impact the UMass Amherst campus and its graduates. Governor Deval Patrick’s Readiness Project is due to issue its recommendations on governance issues and the structure of the UMass system in the coming months. The committee’s report will provide an excellent opportunity to continue the ongoing conversation about the future of our great University; and the Alumni Association looks forward to representing the diverse UMass Amherst alumni community in this dialogue.

An information page is posted on the Alumni Association web site at UMassAlumni.com/news/umass_reorg_links.html to keep alumni connected and informed on the system review as it develops.

With 211,000 living alumni, the Alumni Association is a vibrant organization that reaches across the US and around the world. Membership in the Alumni Association supports this type of advocacy and ongoing programming. Please join your Alumni Association at UMassAlumni.com/membership today and help us ensure a strong future for UMass Amherst and the University of Massachusetts system.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Mitchell ’79
President, UMass Amherst Alumni Association 

You were. You are. UMASS.