Union's alumni, across the generations, are consistent in overall positive feelings about their experience at the College.
Ninety-two percent of the respondents to a recent alumni survey said they were very or somewhat satisfied with their overall experience, and 91 percent said they were very or somewhat satisfied with their academic experience.
Furthermore, 88 percent of the respondents said they are proud to tell others that they went to Union, 77 percent said that Union is a prestigious institution, and 77 percent said they are likely to recommend Union to the children of family and friends.
These and other findings are part of a major research effort undertaken by the College this spring, part of a continuing effort to strengthen alumni relations and communications. The survey effort was led by Trustee Mark Walsh '76.
“This is an exciting time
to be at Union, and we want all alumni to be informed of
College events and plans,” said Tom Gutenberger, vice president for college relations. “The survey gave us an opportunity to reach out to alumni, solicit their opinions, and learn more about how they prefer to receive information.”
The survey, along with an increased number of on- and off-campus events as well as enhancements to electronic and print communications, represents the College's desire to engage alumni and friends in ways that are meaningful
to them, he said.
The effort-the first major survey of alumni opinion since a 1968 questionnaire about coeducation-began with a letter sent to more than 23,000 alumni. That announcement of the web-based survey was followed a week later by a reminder postcard, and then a week after that by an e-mail reminder to alumni for whom the College has addresses. Alumni who preferred to answer by paper were given that choice.
The College received responses from more than 4,500 alumni; the 19.3 percent response rate is considered excellent for a survey of this kind. Twenty-five percent of the respondents graduated within the past 10 years, 20 percent graduated 11 to 20 years ago, 20 percent graduated 21-30 years ago, and 35 percent graduated 31 or more years ago.
A fuller report of the
findings from the survey was included in a letter sent to alumni and is posted on Union's online alumni community, available through www.union.edu/Alumni.
The survey results include:
- The number of alumni reporting satisfaction with their social experience at Union was 75 percent, and the number reporting satisfaction with their extracurricular experience was 73 percent.
- Eighty-four percent said they have made a gift to the College during the past three years, and 73 percent said it is likely they will do so in the next three years. Eighty percent of the respondents-and 78 percent of the donors-reported visiting the campus within the past ten years. Seventy-six percent said their gifts to Union will help make it stronger.
- Twenty-eight percent of respondents said they are very likely to visit the campus over the next three years, a number that rose to 45 percent among recent graduates. Thirty-two percent said it is likely they will volunteer for the College during the next three years.
- The most popular alumni activity and service was a
free alumni online directory; 87 percent said they were
very or somewhat interested (the directory is available at www.union.edu/Alumni). Other activities receiving mention were ReUnion, Homecoming, and other specials events
(74 percent); cultural events (66 percent); regional alumni chapters (64 percent); the ability to buy Union merchandise online (62 percent); informal events (62 percent); spectator sports (61 percent); speaker series (53 percent); and free lifetime e-mail (53 percent). - Ninety-seven percent of the respondents said they read Union College magazine, with 28 percent reading it from cover to cover. Class notes are the most popular section, read “always” or “frequently” by 93 percent. Campus news and feature stories are read by 78 and 77 percent, respectively. Readers say they would like to see more articles about Union awards and rankings, alumni achievements, and historical features.
- The magazine was the most popular source of news about the College, cited by 64 percent of survey respondents as the way they prefer to receive information. Other sources included e-mail (33 percent), the web (32 percent), personal contact with friends, relatives, and other alumni (28 percent), and the media (17 percent).
- Seventy-seven percent of the respondents said Union is not as well known as it should be compared to similar institutions, with that number highest among younger alumni (83 percent of graduates out five years or less). Overall, 65 percent said Union's ranking in U.S. News & World Report was important to them, although there were significant differences depending on class year; the magazine ranking was important to 78 percent of those who graduated in the past five years vs. 60 percent of those who graduated 31 or more years ago.