The University of Idaho Alumni Association is an organization no different than any other in the country — except that they do not collect dues from participants.
Steve Johnson, executive director of Alumni Relations, said the goal of the alumni association is to keep alumni connected with the university and each other.
“Alumni are very passionate about, and they love their university,” Johnson said. “They support their university.”
The Alumni Relations office offers these people opportunities to see each other and support the university without paying dues — tailgates, dinners and general gatherings like picnics are a few examples, Johnson said. In some cases, these events will have a ticket price.
“But also we try to reduce the cost of those a little bit,” Johnson said. “So we sometimes supplement the cost of those in different ways.”
The Office of Alumni Relations uses affinity programs to supplement the cost of alumni events. The entirely voluntary programs are somewhat popular at UI, Johnson said.
“The university has never had a dues program,” Johnson said. “So we utilize some entrepreneurial programs to offset some of those costs.”
These affinity programs include Vandal Voyagers — a program that allows participants to take an international tour with fellow alumni and friends, a Vandal Credit Card and Vandal Crest Wines.
In addition to the affinity programs and event ticket prices, home and auto insurance programs generate net revenue as well said Hugh Cooke, associate director of programs in the Alumni Association.
“They’re very useful,” Johnson said. “A lot of times, people have an affinity connection to the university so they are happy to join in.”
The alumni association program reaches about 90,000 former students of the university, Cooke said. Once a student reaches 90 credits or receives a degree, they have access to all graduate resources.
“We are able to bring the services to our alumni with current funding levels,” Cooke said. “And entrepreneurial efforts allow us to bring additional services.”
The University of Idaho is in contact with each of its alumni, and has correspondence with the group in its entirety, Cooke said. Some universities offer special services to those who pay dues only.
If a former Vandal wants to show further support class rings, novelty license plates and Vandal address labels are also available for purchase. The proceeds from these benefit both the University of Idaho and student scholarships.
Alycia Rock can be reached at [email protected]