Posted 2/5/10

Why is the Alumni Association making this organizational change?

This will enable the Alumni Association to work more closely with the University on achieving goals that will benefit Ohio State, its alumni, and the broad university community. We’ll now coordinate our outreach efforts more closely with the university to the benefit of alumni and the university community. This enhanced teamwork will improve the experience alumni have with the university.

How will this more closely aligned partnership benefit members and alumni?

Although specific enhancements to alumni engagement have not been identified, it is likely that advancements will take place in a number of areas. The Association and the university have already identified these areas as ones that could benefit from this new partnership: alumni programs; career services; alumni networking; regional alumni engagement; lifelong learning opportunities; and volunteer recruitment and coordination.

Hasn’t the Alumni Association always been a part of Ohio State?

By its nature as the representative voice of Ohio State alumni, the Association has always been closely linked with the university. However, prior to now it operated as an independent entity separate from the university. This new agreement will formalize the relationship between the Alumni Association and the university and marks an important and tangible step toward achieving the vision of One Ohio State.

Will you still have memberships in the Alumni Association?

Yes.  Annual, Life and Pay Forward Club memberships will still be offered as a way to keep Ohio State alumni and friends better engaged with the university.

What happens to my life membership?

When you purchased a Life Membership, you made a lifelong commitment to the Alumni Association and Ohio State. The Association will continue to honor this commitment. Members will retain all the rights and privileges of membership.

How will this change benefit me?

The change will facilitate closer cooperation between university partners and will likely result in more innovative and robust programming for Alumni Association members.

Will the Association still produce Ohio State Alumni Magazine?

The Association still intends to produce the alumni magazine and deliver it to Ohio State alumni and friends six times a year.

Will this affect my chances of getting football tickets in the lottery?

No. This change does not affect the Alumni Association’s annual football ticket lottery. As always, only active, dues-paying members of the Alumni Association as of March 1, 2010, will be eligible to apply for a chance at a pair of tickets to a randomly selected home game during the 2010 Buckeye football season. Associate members of the Alumni Association, complimentary members, or alumni non-members will not receive ticket-lottery eligibility because of this change.

Will the Alumni Association receive more football tickets?

It is not expected that this change will have any effect on the number of football tickets the Alumni Association is allotted by Ohio State’s Department of Athletics.

Will Association members have a say in this change?

Association members will be asked to vote this spring on changes to the Association’s constitution which reflects the new relationship with Ohio State.

Will Archie Griffin still be president and CEO of the Alumni Association?

Yes. Archie Griffin will remain president and CEO of the Alumni Association and will assume the additional role as senior vice president for Alumni Relations of the university and become a member of President Gee’s senior leadership team.

Why is the Alumni Association retaining its 501 (c) (3) designation?

Although the Association will have a closer working and reporting relationship with the university, it will remain a self-governing and self-supporting entity with its own Board of Directors, constitution, mission, and vision.