[flamehunter]

Just got back from taking my mom on a tour of the library. The view of the construction from the rooftop terrace was incredible.

[LUinPA]

Just got back from taking my mom on a tour of the library. The view of the construction from the rooftop terrace was incredible.

Hello; Pics please!!!

[flamehunter]

Yeah sorry, I'm not much of a picture taker.

[alabama24]

Yeah sorry, I'm not much of a picture taker.

Drawings would be acceptable. Get tips from Medic.

[alabama24]

I drove by the roundabout today, and Mrs. Cider noticed all the tire prints on it where people have driven right over it.

LU better go ahead and install a traffic camera there to record the action if fenderbenders and pedestrian incidents are likely.

New revenue stream!

[alabama24]

Freedom Tower Ground Breaking ceremony will be on Monday, August 31st at 10:30 AM in the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall parking lot. I have no idea where we are supposed to park (if not the garage).

[PAmedic]

Wondering if JLFjr can update us on where the new Alumni Assoc offices and Alumni Lounge are going ?

Still hoping for the top floor

[Humble_Opinion]

Wondering if JLFjr can update us on where the new Alumni Assoc offices and Alumni Lounge are going ?

Still hoping for the top floor

At some point the university needs to show some sort of investment/value in their alumni program. I know the millions we give a year in money don't compare much to what the university makes in its academic operations nowadays, but I think studies show that some of the best sources for high-quality, most likely to retain students come from alumni.

Build a location on-campus that is visible and easily accessible to the thousands of visiting alumni that are more than happy to advocate on behalf of the university to the people they encounter on a daily basis. It is time.

[ALUmnus]

Wondering if JLFjr can update us on where the new Alumni Assoc offices and Alumni Lounge are going ?

Still hoping for the top floor

At some point the university needs to show some sort of investment/value in their alumni program. I know the millions we give a year in money don't compare much to what the university makes in its academic operations nowadays, but I think studies show that some of the best sources for high-quality, most likely to retain students come from alumni.

Build a location on-campus that is visible and easily accessible to the thousands of visiting alumni that are more than happy to advocate on behalf of the university to the people they encounter on a daily basis. It is time.

Believe me, they do put a lot of resources into it. Just as HMO. And they used to have an alumni lounge, but with the campus in constant flux, it's hard to keep things like that as a high priority. And maybe they still do have the lounge somewhere, I just have no idea where it is. Maybe HMO can tell us how much use the lounge got. It may have been a complete waste of resources.

[PAmedic]

this is where the conversation started, for those who missed it:

Dear Jr:
please find room in one of your beautiful brand new buildings for a PROPER home for the Alumni Association
like an alumni lounge.
that I could hang out in every 2 yrs when I get down there
maybe the top floor of the new tower?

PA, good thought on the Alumni Association. The new SC should have plenty of room for that! We'll make it happen!

SC or the Tower, I should have said. Another good thought!

Thanks for your input, PA! Very helpful.

[PAmedic]

I'm not sure about previous lounges- but the Alumni donate @ 1 million annually to the school.

anyway... JR seemed on board with my idea. Now we'll see if he can come through.

if I had my druthers I'd say tower... but HMO and his people deserve nice digs just as much as the sports teams do so whatever works best for them

[Humble_Opinion]

Believe me, they do put a lot of resources into it. Just as HMO. And they used to have an alumni lounge, but with the campus in constant flux, it's hard to keep things like that as a high priority. And maybe they still do have the lounge somewhere, I just have no idea where it is. Maybe HMO can tell us how much use the lounge got. It may have been a complete waste of resources.

All I will say is I disagree and I'll just leave it at that. And that's not a knock on HMO... I think he works hard with what he has.

There doesn't need to be a "lounge". That would be a silly waste of resources... I don't think alumni come to campus to sit in a lounge. But they do come to ask questions, find out details about benefits, find ways to connect with former alum/professors, etc. The Alumni Office need an office that is easy to find and can accomodate some extra space for future growth, since the # of graduates in recent years has skyrocketed. Leveraged properly, a well-organized Alumni Office can provide benefits to their alumni well into the future that simultaneously raises the worth of the LU brand of education.

[ALUmnus]

Soooo, what benefits are alumni seeking?

[SumItUp]

Believe me, they do put a lot of resources into it. Just as HMO. And they used to have an alumni lounge, but with the campus in constant flux, it's hard to keep things like that as a high priority. And maybe they still do have the lounge somewhere, I just have no idea where it is. Maybe HMO can tell us how much use the lounge got. It may have been a complete waste of resources.

All I will say is I disagree and I'll just leave it at that. And that's not a knock on HMO... I think he works hard with what he has.

Agreed. HMO and the alumni crew do a great job, but they are not getting any favors from administration. They are grateful for the scraps that they receive, but it is an underfunded and under appreciated group within the LU family.

[SuperJon]

Soooo, what benefits are alumni seeking?

I'd love for them to pay some of my student loans back...

Just because I'm seeking it doesn't mean I should get it.

[alabama24]

Soooo, what benefits are alumni seeking?

Schools work with vendors to provide "alumni benefits." For many years, thanks to HMO, I receive a discount on my hotel visits (I use "choice" brand, and shoot for "comfort suites").

[Humble_Opinion]

Soooo, what benefits are alumni seeking?

Schools work with vendors to provide "alumni benefits." For many years, thanks to HMO, I receive a discount on my hotel visits (I use "choice" brand, and shoot for "comfort suites").

Many of them also have very respectable job search and career connection sites thst alumni actually use.

[alabama24]

Many of them also have very respectable job search and career connection sites thst alumni actually use.

Perhaps this should be joined / connected to the career center?

[Purple Haize]

Believe me, they do put a lot of resources into it. Just as HMO. And they used to have an alumni lounge, but with the campus in constant flux, it's hard to keep things like that as a high priority. And maybe they still do have the lounge somewhere, I just have no idea where it is. Maybe HMO can tell us how much use the lounge got. It may have been a complete waste of resources.

All I will say is I disagree and I'll just leave it at that. And that's not a knock on HMO... I think he works hard with what he has.

Agreed. HMO and the alumni crew do a great job, but they are not getting any favors from administration. They are grateful for the scraps that they receive, but it is an underfunded and under appreciated group within the LU family.

It's been like that for decades

[ALUmnus]

Believe me, they do put a lot of resources into it. Just as HMO. And they used to have an alumni lounge, but with the campus in constant flux, it's hard to keep things like that as a high priority. And maybe they still do have the lounge somewhere, I just have no idea where it is. Maybe HMO can tell us how much use the lounge got. It may have been a complete waste of resources.

All I will say is I disagree and I'll just leave it at that. And that's not a knock on HMO... I think he works hard with what he has.

Agreed. HMO and the alumni crew do a great job, but they are not getting any favors from administration. They are grateful for the scraps that they receive, but it is an underfunded and under appreciated group within the LU family.

I guess it's a matter of perspective. I don't see what you guys are trying to get at. What exactly do you want to see with the alumni that's not already being done? What is it you feel you're owed? I've always thought discounts on athletics/events/tuition would be great, but not something I should expect.

BUT I GIVE MONEY!
Okay. But how much? And why should your charity grant you rewards? I'm not arguing or saying you guys are wrong, but you're not being very convincing. Maybe this should be a thread on its own, but what would should the school be doing to strengthen the relationship with its alumni?

I'll even start it: I think they should give their alumni more of a voice. Actually listen to their concerns and thoughts about some of the school's decisions and actions, even direction. And not just if I promise to give $100k.

[JK37]

I don't care if somekne gives $100k or not: the furthest that person can go is to sugget how the money they have should be used. But even then, it's a gift. Furthermore, no gift grants someone the right to say what should or should be. Being an alum doesn't grant that right either. JJ knows this and believes it. It's why Liberty isn't interested in private development. People who give always want a seat at the table or something else in return.

Liberty's response: keep your money. Even moreso now because they we need it.

And, I'm okay with that.

[rogers3]

I don't care if somekne gives $100k or not: the furthest that person can go is to sugget how the money they have should be used. But even then, it's a gift. Furthermore, no gift grants someone the right to say what should or should be. Being an alum doesn't grant that right either. JJ knows this and believes it. It's why Liberty isn't interested in private development. People who give always want a seat at the table or something else in return.

Liberty's response: keep your money. Even moreso now because they we need it.

And, I'm okay with that.

Well, if that was how things worked, fine. There are plenty of people who benefit from being in the right circles, even when they don't contribute. I've spent quite a few years up in the club level only to see people who rib me about being a sucker and then talk about how they got some tickets free. Liberty has always been an organization that grants favors and rewards to people simply because of who they know. It happened when I went to LCA years ago and it still happens today. I think my Flames Club and LU athletic booster days are coming to an end.

[Yacht Rock]

I don't care if somekne gives $100k or not: the furthest that person can go is to sugget how the money they have should be used. But even then, it's a gift. Furthermore, no gift grants someone the right to say what should or should be. Being an alum doesn't grant that right either. JJ knows this and believes it. It's why Liberty isn't interested in private development. People who give always want a seat at the table or something else in return.

Liberty's response: keep your money. Even moreso now because they we need it.

And, I'm okay with that.

Well, if that was how things worked, fine. There are plenty of people who benefit from being in the right circles, even when they don't contribute. I've spent quite a few years up in the club level only to see people who rib me about being a sucker and then talk about how they got some tickets free. Liberty has always been an organization that grants favors and rewards to people simply because of who they know. It happened when I went to LCA years ago and it still happens today. I think my Flames Club and LU athletic booster days are coming to an end.

That's called life. That happens nearly everywhere and it's not always a bad thing. There's nothing wrong with "knowing the right person" and letting that person do something for you.

[ATrain]

I don't care if somekne gives $100k or not: the furthest that person can go is to sugget how the money they have should be used. But even then, it's a gift. Furthermore, no gift grants someone the right to say what should or should be. Being an alum doesn't grant that right either. JJ knows this and believes it. It's why Liberty isn't interested in private development. People who give always want a seat at the table or something else in return.

Liberty's response: keep your money. Even moreso now because they we need it.

And, I'm okay with that.

Well, if that was how things worked, fine. There are plenty of people who benefit from being in the right circles, even when they don't contribute. I've spent quite a few years up in the club level only to see people who rib me about being a sucker and then talk about how they got some tickets free. Liberty has always been an organization that grants favors and rewards to people simply because of who they know. It happened when I went to LCA years ago and it still happens today. I think my Flames Club and LU athletic booster days are coming to an end.

That's called life. That happens nearly everywhere and it's not always a bad thing. There's nothing wrong with "knowing the right person" and letting that person do something for you.

100% Truth.

[rogers3]

I don't care if somekne gives $100k or not: the furthest that person can go is to sugget how the money they have should be used. But even then, it's a gift. Furthermore, no gift grants someone the right to say what should or should be. Being an alum doesn't grant that right either. JJ knows this and believes it. It's why Liberty isn't interested in private development. People who give always want a seat at the table or something else in return.

Liberty's response: keep your money. Even moreso now because they we need it.

And, I'm okay with that.

Well, if that was how things worked, fine. There are plenty of people who benefit from being in the right circles, even when they don't contribute. I've spent quite a few years up in the club level only to see people who rib me about being a sucker and then talk about how they got some tickets free. Liberty has always been an organization that grants favors and rewards to people simply because of who they know. It happened when I went to LCA years ago and it still happens today. I think my Flames Club and LU athletic booster days are coming to an end.

That's called life. That happens nearly everywhere and it's not always a bad thing. There's nothing wrong with "knowing the right person" and letting that person do something for you.

Next time someone in the UVa AD's office funnels you tix for the season on the club level, let me in on it!