Reforming the UCONN Alumni Association

[pepband99]

Not a UCONN alum, but I find this all to be a conversation of little consequence. The math says the school and the alumni need to do something else. If there are 200k living UCONN alums and the endowment is as pathetic as it is, then that's all you need to know about the effectiveness of the association however it is structured.

As examples, Mrs. Bub is an alum of a (Big) public university and I a smaller STEM school. Both AA's operate pretty much the same way with slightly different aesthetics. Hers is broader and stronger, mine is more focused and direct. For you Game of Thrones fans, think the Mountain vs. Red viper.

Tortured metaphors aside, both provide a large number of events and programs designed to engage alums with the school and connect with each other. These are accompanied by fundraising calls and letters in addition to the vig added to the events themselves. Both have swanky on campus buildings to schmooze large and small donors a like, so I wouldn't worry about the building. If they move it, the new one will be better because it's entire purpose us to solicit donations.

If I had to pick, I'd say my wife's is a better overall organization. Mine is probably better at making connections, but it's a lot more work. All she has to do is say the name and people come out of the woodwork. Most alums from my school have other degrees from other schools so loyalty is divided, plus most aren't boola boola types.

In any event I've seen her events and Uconn's events and it's not close. The donations reflect that relationship.

Papa Bub, is a Uconn alum and became a life member to stop the calls. His donations consist of extra donation money for sports tickets. I suspect his view is a common one amongst the alumni.

When we went to the Fiesta Bowl, I was shocked at how disorganized the official trip was. We always take the official tour for the Mrs' team and it is always outstanding. I was stunned at how little Uconn was giving for the outrageous prices they wanted to charge through WorldTravel. It doesn't take a lot.

This should be a easy thing for a school with a darn fine athletic department. The FF in Houston was worse if stories are to be believed.

Isn't the worldtravel/ team bits all an AD doing, and not the AA, though? Correct if wrong... I understand if you're saying the AA should have had something in addition to this (ie as part of the AD package), but that's different from a lot of the complaints on the worldtravel stuff...

 

[jpdmath]

I worked at the UCAA for nine months. It was, by far and away, the worst job of my life. There were some good people there (all who left not long after me), peons like myself, but the managers/directors were some of the worst qualified people I have ever seen to run a company. The Peter Principle was alive and well here. Expectations were impossible to reach, people (like me) were given job duties for which we were not hired, and the ratio of male/female employees was so far out of whack (I was one of two males in a company of 19 total) that we felt like we were the minority and meant to be kept there.

My question is, are the employees who transitioned over to the Foundation now state employees with state benefits? That was one of the interesting points. The only state employee was the executive director at the time, Lisa Lewis (who I still wish was standing on deck of this Titanic, because she is to blame as much as anyone for this to be circling the drain). Prior to 2007, I had heard that the UCAA was pretty low key, but once Lisa came in it was whipped into a company of which Initech would be proud. Actually, yes: If you ever wondered what it was like to work there, think "Office Space." There was one day where seven of my nine hours was spent in meetings. How does this accomplish anything?

Sorry. I admit I am jaded because the nine months there nearly wiped out every good memory I had of that university as an undergrad, but I am all for change because the model they followed did not work. On top of this, the alumni to which they claim they served reached a small portion of the total number. I tried to find the article but a Courant columnist (Dan Haar? Colin McEnroe? I forget) once wrote a piece about an around-the-world trip for UConn alumni that cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $60K. How many alumni possibly can afford that? Take a look at the list of membership services: http://uconnalumni.com/membership/membership-benefits/member-benefits In my opinion, most of these items do not apply to anyone under the age of 30. And how many of these apply if you live out of state? Is someone from Oregon going to feel happy because they now get a discount to Willington Pizza? You can get discounts at three hotels ... all within 20 minutes of each other. Or five restaurants ... three in Storrs/Willington, two in Hartford. You can get discounts at five retail services ... Jos. A. Bank (but first you have to sign up for their corporate credit card), Brooks Brothers (but it doesn't work for online purchases ... and last I checked, Brooks Brothers is not as visible as, say, Dunkin' Donuts), 1-800-Flowers (but they give you the promo code in the description to use at checkout, so I guess that does not matter that you are a member), Kaplan testing (how many people would use that more than once?) and Midas (where not all services are available at all locations).

There is/was a big push to get young alumni (five years or less) involved, and I get that. But I wonder how many 20-somethings have the monies to spend it on a membership that does not give them anything of merit and does not "benefit" them.

As for the argument about the Alumni Center ... I find it hard to believe that we alumni would lose that home just because of a reorganization. What would Susan do, move the center for alumni gatherings to the top floor of MSB? Come on. I feel sorry for the people who ponied up $800 for a Life Membership, only to see that now everyone is a Life Member for $800 less than what they paid.

Hi: To answer your question, my understanding is that everyone with the exception of the now-Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations/ED of the Association is now a Foundation employee--so still employees of a separate 501(c)(3). The AVP is a state employee. There is also one staff member charged with maintaining the Alumni Center who still works for the Association, since the Center is an asset of the Association. The number of staff members dedicated to alumni relations is about the same as it was before the transition.

Also, that really, really, sucks. I'm sorry you had that experience here. I do know that a lot has changed in a very short time--the last year or two--with an eye toward focus and growth, looking at processes and structures that may have not worked in the past and seeing how we can improve. I hope if you're in the area (or in a region with an alumni group) you can attend Huskies Forever Weekend in the fall, or an event beforehand, and let us know what you think.

I love UConn. I've been a women's basketball fan since I was a kid (my winter uniform: '90s logo Starter jacket from Bob's over a Whalers jersey), had a great experience as a student here, and I want to see us continue on the trajectory toward being a top-tier, nationally recognized public university with a strong alumni base. I don't think I'm alone in that, either as a staff member or an alum, but the only way we'll get there is to work together.

 

[Dooley]

No, it isn't. It's long overdue. UConn, for decades was a safety school for CT kids. More recently it has emerged as a tremendous value for higher education. The next step is for it to become a world class institution. If you are not pushing that agenda hard, then you should be on your way. CT can't survive a drought of talent coming out of storrs. The world is becoming too competitive and our geographic advantage while still substantial, isn't what it used to be.

^ Post of the thread right here. That's the vision of the current administration, I believe. World class university to help drive Connecticut's economy.

 

[SubbaBub]

Isn't the worldtravel/ team bits all an AD doing, and not the AA, though? Correct if wrong... I understand if you're saying the AA should have had something in addition to this (ie as part of the AD package), but that's different from a lot of the complaints on the worldtravel stuff...

Ms.Bub's AA handles all bowl travel for alumni, they get their tickets from the AD. They also do educational trips in addition to other events. I do believe WT, is the University's travel agent not just for the AD. I railed about it at the time that the package was terrible.

The alumni have a different agenda that the school when it comes to sports travel. To me it's an example of your AA not providing full service, not to mention blowing a huge fundraising and engagement opportunity. All I saw was the tent in Tempe with the make your own UCONN license plate.

Here's what the mrs AA offered for their last trip to the rose bowl (did I just give something away).

Multiple air/land, land only, and gameday only packages at the 3 star and 4 star hotel level. If I recall their were 2 night and 4 night packages. The air package was full round trip service. Land was the same you just provide your own connection. Game day was just the ticket and pregame.

All the air/land tours included hotel, welcome gifts, some bowl swag, a credential ID'ing you as part of the official tour. A welcome event (just a drink reception), a package from the host committee with a bunch of local goings on and some optional tours. Breakfast every day, a pep rally the day before with the band, cheerleaders, mascot, coach and some of the players, game day transfers, bleacher seating at the starting line for the rose parade, game ticket, pregame tailgate with free beer, wine, soda, water, police escort to the game (maximizing said tail gate), dedicated tour staff, and post game snacks. The seats were pretty good too, halfway up at about the 35.

All this was less than what Uconn was asking for the Fiesta. All through their Alumni Association. The bonus was during the Fiesta bowl trip, her school was playing in a lesser bowl that day. So we found the local AAs game watch at a bar and they welcomed us with open arms. I think we kicked in $20 each for the lunch.

Something to strive for.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Some relevant comments for other locations UConnNick, but unfortunately none of the demographic references held water at the time. To be direct, the largest New England city located roughly 90 miles from Storrs more than adequately met any reasonable demographic parameter.

At the time and even more today, Boston absolutely had more than enough UCONN alumni for Storrs alumni association professionals to build upon. At the time referenced, a core group of reasonably successful alumni volunteers committed for a few years to help kick things off for the alumni association. Of those people, at least a few had prior quality exposure or successful experience assisting with groups in CT and others with their other undergrad or grad alma mater's alumni associations and chapters in the Beantown and other cities (I recall Michigan, IU, and UVA, read B1G and potential B1G). Additionally, access was provided to quality function rooms at offices of their reasonably respected employers (real estate, financial, legal, etc.), access obtained to professional game tickets and other events, etc. Above and beyond sufficient alumni in the area, the core volunteer commitment was more than adequate.

Sadly, the level and quality of alumni association commitment was inconsistent to lacking. For example, with plenty of advance volunteer planning, scheduled events and locations, etc., how challenging is it to expect an alumni association to distribute invitations minimally one month or more in advance? Since that time, things may have improved with the alumni association operations in Storrs and even within a group elected by absolutely miniscule numbers of alumni association members and voting alumni.

Surely, all major US metropolitan areas and likely London and a few other global cities must have sufficient alumni to meet reasonable demographic requirements in 2015. Clearly, Tulsa and New Orleans are not such metro areas nor should anyone expect successful, active alumni groups to be limited to an association's traditionally narrow focus on the Constitution State.

I can only compare my experience at two universities. I live outside of Boston, which one would expect would have, along with NYC the highest concentration of UConn alumni in any major cities. I'm a life member. Yet the alumni association is lacking in many key respects. I never "joined" the Kansas University Alumni association, yet I get stickers for my car annually, and I get constant invites to watch parties and other events in and around Boston. More than I get for UConn. That's pretty sad.

I haven't voted or decided how to vote, but my concerns are these: The Foundation is a fund-raising arm, period. That is not and should not be the function of the alumni association. It should bring in money, but that isn't the point of it. The point of it is to help bring alumni together, remind them what they loved about the school, provide networking for graduates to help other graduates with jobs. It's an extension of the camaraderie that existed when we were in school. My view is that Kansas is just light years ahead of UConn in all these respects. Will this change make that better or worse? I don't know because they aren't talking about it. The focus is on fundraising.

 

[SubbaBub]

I can only compare my experience at two universities. I live outside of Boston, which one would expect would have, along with NYC the highest concentration of UConn alumni in any major cities. I'm a life member. Yet the alumni association is lacking in many key respects. I never "joined" the Kansas University Alumni association, yet I get stickers for my car annually, and I get constant invites to watch parties and other events in and around Boston. More than I get for UConn. That's pretty sad.

I haven't voted or decided how to vote, but my concerns are these: The Foundation is a fund-raising arm, period. That is not and should not be the function of the alumni association. It should bring in money, but that isn't the point of it. The point of it is to help bring alumni together, remind them what they loved about the school, provide networking for graduates to help other graduates with jobs. It's an extension of the camaraderie that existed when we were in school. My view is that Kansas is just light years ahead of UConn in all these respects. Will this change make that better or worse? I don't know because they aren't talking about it. The focus is on fundraising.

True, but they do all that mostly so you donate money. By paying the fee, most of you (not you all here) felt they'd done their part. Now when you get a call from the foundation, and you will, you can ask them about all the cool stuff they are doing.

If they are doing it right, you will all get stickers etc, instead of just some of you. You only need to read the various "I didn't get that offer/email" posts to understand.

 

[HuskyHawk]

From my prospective I do not believe that UConn will demolish the Alumni house or turn it to another purpose without first establishing a suitable replacement. I am also confident that the $6M will be used appropriately. Dedicated funds will be used consistently with the dedication and remainder will be used appropriately as delineated in the agreement. The including but not limited language is fairly typical. It is not a loophole. I guess it comes down to who you trust. The AA which has been a glorified club during it's tenure, or the Foundation who were very helpful, professional and supportive on the Boneyard's dedication of two defibrillators as a remembrance of Jim Calhoun's great coaching career. It isn't a difficult choice, in my view.

Ha! I don't trust either of them.

 

[J187Money]

NO vote sends a message and also means we can re-address in a more collegial manner - change is needed; forcing the UCAA dissolution and moving under the Foundation umbrella isn't the right answer. Don't be fooled into voting YES and hoping. HOPE IS NOT A METHOD!

Carl - if I thought that the Board members could be collegial with each other it might be an option. I haven't seen one once of collegiality amongst the Board since I tried to get involved a few years ago.

Indulge me - what is the right answer? I keep hearing what "isn't" the right answer, without a solution. Do you have one?

Otherwise I feel like we are at "Don't be fooled into voting NO and hoping. HOPE IS NOT A METHOD!"

 

[J187Money]

I can only compare my experience at two universities. I live outside of Boston, which one would expect would have, along with NYC the highest concentration of UConn alumni in any major cities. I'm a life member. Yet the alumni association is lacking in many key respects. I never "joined" the Kansas University Alumni association, yet I get stickers for my car annually, and I get constant invites to watch parties and other events in and around Boston. More than I get for UConn. That's pretty sad.

I haven't voted or decided how to vote, but my concerns are these: The Foundation is a fund-raising arm, period. That is not and should not be the function of the alumni association. It should bring in money, but that isn't the point of it. The point of it is to help bring alumni together, remind them what they loved about the school, provide networking for graduates to help other graduates with jobs. It's an extension of the camaraderie that existed when we were in school. My view is that Kansas is just light years ahead of UConn in all these respects. Will this change make that better or worse? I don't know because they aren't talking about it. The focus is on fundraising.

In theory, you are right. However, I get a lot more outreach from the Foundation than I ever did from the UCAA, and I'm not a major donor (a few thousand a year across sports and other donations). Even when they have been inept (which they have been at times), I felt that they actually cared about how I felt about the school. And sure, I'm putting a lot of faith in Newton and Herbst.

But here is the rub - let's just say that the "right" answer was to fully fund the UCAA and put a lot of resources behind it. With the personalities involved, the cabals, the back channeling, the rumor mongering, the character assassination attempts, do you think this gets any better? There is NO choice. That's my opinion, but nobody that believes in the UCAA is willing to stand up and say what would be different - because I think they know the truth.

 

[HuskyHawk]

True, but they do all that mostly so you donate money. By paying the fee, most of you (not you all here) felt they'd done their part. Now when you get a call from the foundation, and you will, you can ask them about all the cool stuff they are doing.

If they are doing it right, you will all get stickers etc, instead of just some of you. You only need to read the various "I didn't get that offer/email" posts to understand.

It's chicken and egg. People donate money when they feel a continued attachment to the school and when the school continues to bring them value or alternatively they have plenty and are just giving back as they would to any charity. Neither school I attended adds any value to me at this point, aside from rooting interests in sports teams. I'm a lost cause in that regard. But do they think "how do I raise money?" rather than "how to do ensure that alumni continue to feel connected to the school and get value from their association with it?" The latter is the right mindset. It will lead to donations. I fear that the foundation thinks like the former of those two statements. In fact, the foundation itself has never had any mission that aligns with what an alumni association mission should be.

That's why I'm on the fence. The current model is broken, sure. But I see nothing about what the alumni association will be going forward. They damn well better still call it an "alumni association" or they are idiots. I don't want a window sticker that says "I gave to the UConn Foundation" any more than I want one for the American Cancer Society. There has to be some separation in the alumni association and Foundation, at least at a marketing level. In short, the legal entity of the AA can go away as long as the Foundation is committed to establishing a fully functional AA itself.

 

[CTMike]

NO vote sends a message and also means we can re-address in a more collegial manner - change is needed; forcing the UCAA dissolution and moving under the Foundation umbrella isn't the right answer. Don't be fooled into voting YES and hoping. HOPE IS NOT A METHOD!

Honestly- neither is your fear mongering over what, technically, could happen to the Alumni House and the donations... Despite those outcomes not being likely or even probable.

If the Alumni House adds the value you say, then there is no worry about its future unless you think the Foundation is out to sabotage its own success. I don't believe that. Similarly for the donations - I'm quite certain that the Foundation would like to see those same folks donate again in the future, and so the likelihood of misappropriation (ie pissing them off) is quite low.

 

[CTMike]

It's chicken and egg. People donate money when they feel a continued attachment to the school and when the school continues to bring them value or alternatively they have plenty and are just giving back as they would to any charity. Neither school I attended adds any value to me at this point, aside from rooting interests in sports teams. I'm a lost cause in that regard. But do they think "how do I raise money?" rather than "how to do ensure that alumni continue to feel connected to the school and get value from their association with it?" The latter is the right mindset. It will lead to donations. I fear that the foundation thinks like the former of those two statements. In fact, the foundation itself has never had any mission that aligns with what an alumni association mission should be.

That's why I'm on the fence. The current model is broken, sure. But I see nothing about what the alumni association will be going forward. They damn well better still call it an "alumni association" or they are idiots. I don't want a window sticker that says "I gave to the UConn Foundation" any more than I want one for the American Cancer Society. There has to be some separation in the alumni association and Foundation, at least at a marketing level. In short, the legal entity of the AA can go away as long as the Foundation is committed to establishing a fully functional AA itself.

If the Foundation is smart - and I think that the current incarnation is - then the connectedness and association to the alma mater is 100% aligned with how to raise money. That, in a nutshell, is why the two organizations make absolute sense to be combined.

 

[J187Money]

If the Foundation is smart - and I think that the current incarnation is - then the connectedness and association to the alma mater is 100% aligned with how to raise money. That, in a nutshell, is why the two organizations make absolute sense to be combined.

I know this is how Josh Newton thinks about it. Because I talked to him about it. If you think he is a liar, fine. But then go fall in love with another school because if he fails to move the needle, the needle likely cannot be moved.

 

[SAMCRO]

If everybody is terrified, then maybe it is because they are not performing up to the standards of a high ranking university and they need to be weeded out. That is good news and if it is true we should be applauding our President.

Exactly. What was the old staus quo is not the new status quo.

 

[UConnNick]

Not a UCONN alum, but I find this all to be a conversation of little consequence. The math says the school and the alumni need to do something else. If there are 200k living UCONN alums and the endowment is as pathetic as it is, then that's all you need to know about the effectiveness of the association however it is structured.

As examples, Mrs. Bub is an alum of a (Big) public university and I a smaller STEM school. Both AA's operate pretty much the same way with slightly different aesthetics. Hers is broader and stronger, mine is more focused and direct. For you Game of Thrones fans, think the Mountain vs. Red viper.

Tortured metaphors aside, both provide a large number of events and programs designed to engage alums with the school and connect with each other. These are accompanied by fundraising calls and letters in addition to the vig added to the events themselves. Both have swanky on campus buildings to schmooze large and small donors a like, so I wouldn't worry about the building. If they move it, the new one will be better because it's entire purpose us to solicit donations.

If I had to pick, I'd say my wife's is a better overall organization. Mine is probably better at making connections, but it's a lot more work. All she has to do is say the name and people come out of the woodwork. Most alums from my school have other degrees from other schools so loyalty is divided, plus most aren't boola boola types.

In any event I've seen her events and Uconn's events and it's not close. The donations reflect that relationship.

Papa Bub, is a Uconn alum and became a life member to stop the calls. His donations consist of extra donation money for sports tickets. I suspect his view is a common one amongst the alumni.

When we went to the Fiesta Bowl, I was shocked at how disorganized the official trip was. We always take the official tour for the Mrs' team and it is always outstanding. I was stunned at how little Uconn was giving for the outrageous prices they wanted to charge through WorldTravel. It doesn't take a lot.

This should be a easy thing for a school with a darn fine athletic department. The FF in Houston was worse if stories are to be believed.

Trust me, I speak from personal and extremely recent experience. Being a life member of the UCONN Alumni Association has NEVER stopped the UCONN Foundation from calling me for donations. I really wish it had. Lately they've ramped up to a point where they call on average at least several times per month, sometimes multiple times during one week intervals. Apparently they've already forgot what I told them the last time they called, three days ago.

I guess somebody has conducted a study which claims that Chinese water torture is an effective way to collect donations, but somehow I am not moved to make donations when I'm hounded far more than by bill collectors attempting to collect a debt from me. Maybe I'm crazy, but I find that the least effective way to collect donations.

 

[Carl S. Ey]

If this "no" movement succeeds, anyone who thinks that the University will listen to the AA on anything of consequence (or anything at all) probably thinks we turned down a B1G invite to stay in the AAC.

If the NO vote succeeds, we have another opportunity to craft a stronger plan that is more conducive to working with all alums. Remember, if dissolution takes place, there is NO elected Alumni voice - the Foundation runs the show and makes the decisions as the university president sees fit. Halting dissolution at this point only gives all of us an opportunity to create an organization that supports all of appropriately. Think about this: the university president decided to shut down a 146 year old organization and told the various involved entities to do that in 90-120 days i.e. divest the bank accounts and the real property - what business/organization does that unless they are going bankrupt? Why? What is the heavy hand for?

 

[Carl S. Ey]

It's chicken and egg. People donate money when they feel a continued attachment to the school and when the school continues to bring them value or alternatively they have plenty and are just giving back as they would to any charity. Neither school I attended adds any value to me at this point, aside from rooting interests in sports teams. I'm a lost cause in that regard. But do they think "how do I raise money?" rather than "how to do ensure that alumni continue to feel connected to the school and get value from their association with it?" The latter is the right mindset. It will lead to donations. I fear that the foundation thinks like the former of those two statements. In fact, the foundation itself has never had any mission that aligns with what an alumni association mission should be.

That's why I'm on the fence. The current model is broken, sure. But I see nothing about what the alumni association will be going forward. They damn well better still call it an "alumni association" or they are idiots. I don't want a window sticker that says "I gave to the UConn Foundation" any more than I want one for the American Cancer Society. There has to be some separation in the alumni association and Foundation, at least at a marketing level. In short, the legal entity of the AA can go away as long as the Foundation is committed to establishing a fully functional AA itself.

The term Alumni Association would not be part of the equation currently but then again, we don't have any plan from the Foundation. If the NO vote succeeds, we have another opportunity to craft a stronger plan that is more conducive to working with all alums. Remember, if dissolution takes place, there is NO elected Alumni voice - the Foundation runs the show and makes the decisions as the university president sees fit. Halting dissolution at this point only gives all of us an opportunity to create an organization that supports all of appropriately. Think about this: the university president decided to shut down a 146 year old organization and told the various involved entities to do that in 90-120 days i.e. divest the bank accounts and the real property - what business/organization does that unless they are going bankrupt? Why? What is the heavy hand for?

 

[Carl S. Ey]

Trust me, I speak from personal and extremely recent experience. Being a life member of the UCONN Alumni Association has NEVER stopped the UCONN Foundation from calling me for donations. I really wish it had. Lately they've ramped up to a point where they call on average at least several times per month, sometimes multiple times during one week intervals. Apparently they've already forgot what I told them the last time they called, three days ago.

I guess somebody has conducted a study which claims that Chinese water torture is an effective way to collect donations, but somehow I am not moved to make donations when I'm hounded far more than by bill collectors attempting to collect a debt from me. Maybe I'm crazy, but I find that the least effective way to collect donations.

I know this is how Josh Newton thinks about it. Because I talked to him about it. If you think he is a liar, fine. But then go fall in love with another school because if he fails to move the needle, the needle likely cannot be moved.

I think that Josh has done a super job too and I believe he will move the needle but part of your post suggests that the Foundation is coordinated tight with the Alumni Assn, that is great but why are alums speculating here on the Boneyard and FB about this issue. Ask Josh and his team to publish a plan. The only plan is the transition plan on line, which was put together by a volunteer board of directors. If the NO vote succeeds, we have another opportunity to craft a stronger plan that is more conducive to working with all alums. Halting dissolution at this point only gives all of us an opportunity to create an organization that supports all of appropriately and get a salient plan from the Foundation. Think about this: the university president decided to shut down a 146 year old organization and told the various involved entities to do that in 90-120 days i.e. divest the bank accounts and the real property - what business/organization does that unless they are going bankrupt? Why? What is the heavy hand for? Why hasn't the Foundation officially chimed in with HOW this new organization will better serve the alumni? BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW YET.

 

[J187Money]

Carl - where is your plan? You can't fault the Foundation for not having a plan when you have no plan. You want the opportunity to craft a plan? Too late.

Ray Allen for the win:

 

[CTMike]

146 years keeps getting cited as a positive... But after that long of a time I'd expect a lot more results.

 

[pepband99]

146 years keeps getting cited as a positive... But after that long of a time I'd expect a lot more results.

Exactly. 146 years + our endowment = vote yes. It's really that simple.

 

[MASSconn]

Exactly. 146 years + our endowment = vote yes. It's really that simple.

Preach!!

We have a Connecticut Prep School endowment, not a B1G one. Step aside geezers.

 

[J187Money]

146 years keeps getting cited as a positive... But after that long of a time I'd expect a lot more results.

Carl - the Board has known about this for months, and has yet to advance a plan of their own. All they have done is cry and complain (other than the ones that agree that the UCAA should be dissolved). Why is that? If you want my vote, you need to give me a reason why, not just a reason why not to vote the other way.

 

[Carl S. Ey]

Carl - where is your plan? You can't fault the Foundation for not having a plan when you have no plan. You want the opportunity to craft a plan? Too late.

Ray Allen for the win:

Please read the transition plan online - we (Board of Directors) put that plan together. Please also note the following:

1. We asked the Foundation to let us have a three-alumni advisory committee elected to advise the Foundation - NO was the reply.
2. Our language in regard to the disposition of the funds being transferred over was MUCH stricter - they modified it.
3. Our language on the disposition of the Alumni Center had stricter parameters - again changed.

Believe you me, we have worked a plan over and over and voted on it - for the last 2.5 months, we have had a 90 min teleconference every Friday, plus council meetings all as volunteers. I take great umbrage to calling out the Board of Directors on NOT presenting a plan. We have a transition plan and IMHO, had a better plan had we not been put under the gun by the university. So our plan aint great but not bad for a board of volunteers who were told in March that our 146 year old alumni association was being defunded and we were not going to get any support from UCONN after 30 June.

 

[Carl S. Ey]

Carl - where is your plan? You can't fault the Foundation for not having a plan when you have no plan. You want the opportunity to craft a plan? Too late.

Ray Allen for the win:

Honestly- neither is your fear mongering over what, technically, could happen to the Alumni House and the donations... Despite those outcomes not being likely or even probable.

If the Alumni House adds the value you say, then there is no worry about its future unless you think the Foundation is out to sabotage its own success. I don't believe that. Similarly for the donations - I'm quite certain that the Foundation would like to see those same folks donate again in the future, and so the likelihood of misappropriation (ie pissing them off) is quite low.

Please read the transition plan online - we (Board of Directors) put that plan together. Please also note the following:

1. We asked the Foundation to let us have a three-alumni advisory committee elected to advise the Foundation - NO was the reply.
2. Our language in regard to the disposition of the funds being transferred over was MUCH stricter - they modified it.
3. Our language on the disposition of the Alumni Center had stricter parameters - again changed.

Believe you me, we have worked a plan over and over and voted on it - for the last 2.5 months, we have had a 90 min teleconference every Friday, plus council meetings all as volunteers. I take great umbrage to calling out the Board of Directors on NOT presenting a plan. We have a transition plan and IMHO, had a better plan had we not been put under the gun by the university. So our plan aint great but not bad for a board of volunteers who were told in March that our 146 year old alumni association was being defunded and we were not going to get any support from UCONN after 30 June.