Alumni Community Frequently Asked Questions


Alumni communities support community building and provide visibility and practical support to alumni and friends around the world. Alumni Communities:

  • Act as advocates for the University of Iowa.
  • Encourage UI alumni and friends to maintain an active relationship with the university and each other.
  • Facilitate events and programming focused on increasing involvement within all alumni age groups and for diversified interest areas.
  • Foster a spirit of camaraderie among alumni who share similar interests and identities.
  • Inspire and support students.
  • Receive access to services, benefits, and support from the UI.
  • Strengthen the alumni community and its relationship to the university.
  • Engage in intellectual, cultural, and athletic life, as well as social and networking opportunities, to enhance professional development.
  • Enhance and enrich the scholarly and cultural resources of the UI.

  • What are the group’s goals? Do they align with the university’s goals?
  • Can an existing group or university entity accomplish these goals?
  • How is the group different from other alumni affinity groups?
  • Is there sufficient interest among alumni to support the new group?
  • Is this a viable short-term and/or long-term organization?
  • How would this group offer value to the university?
  • What affinity are you interested in connecting in support of the UI?
  • Are there current students on campus who can continue your group’s legacy with a similar interest or identity?

The primary leader (president, chair, or co-chair) of an affinity group is expected to:

  • Act as the main contact between the UI and the alumni community members and maintain regular contact with the staff liaison. In most cases that means at least monthly communication.
  • Respond in a timely manner (usually 48 hours) to inquiries or requests from the UI and alumni.
  • Follow the community’s governing documents and bylaws including holding elections as specified.
  • Maintain the alumni community's good standing with the UI.
  • In most cases, devote 3-6 hours per month to this leadership position (may require more time during busy event seasons).
  • Act as a positive representative and chief ambassador for the UI.
  • Establish an alumni community board of at least four people to help guide the mission and decisions when necessary.
  • Serve as an active participant in regular board meetings providing positive leadership and direction to the group’s board.

  • Keep the interest of the alumni community and/or UI foremost in mind when providing assistance and avoid all conflicts of interest.
  • Adhere to Iowa Volunteer Network Guidebook and Volunteer Code of Conduct and ask for clarification if you do not understand them.
  • Serve as a positive university representative and conduct yourself in an appropriate, professional manner.
  • Strive to achieve the highest quality and effectiveness in both the process and products of volunteer work without promoting any self-interest.
The UI values its volunteers and works to create services and programs to support and enhance their involvement. However, UI volunteers conducting themselves in a manner inconsistent with the university’s mission, or these expectations, may be removed as alumni community leaders.

Contact alumni.engagement@foriowa.org to learn more and start the process of becoming an alumni community.


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