Alumni & Development supports a large number of reunions each year and we are delighted to help alumni keep in touch with each other. Successful reunions also depend on the effort and commitment of those alumni who spare their time to help organise events. If you are thinking of organising a reunion, feel free to contact us to go through the different options available. Your event can be as simple as drinks in a bar or as elaborate as a black-tie dinner and ceilidh. Whatever you decide to do, we'll be very happy to support you.
Advice
We are happy to give you advice on planning your reunion, based on our many years of experience in organising alumni events. We will let you know if the proposed date of your reunion clashes with important University dates and if there are other alumni events your reunion may be able to combine with.
Class Lists
We can provide you with a list of relevant alumni for whom we have up-to-date contact details. Through your own personal networks you may be able to help us find any we have lost touch with over the years.
Mailings
The Alumni & Development office can send a letter and email to the relevant mailing list. Sometimes organisers prefer initially to send a letter to gauge interest in a reunion before the invitation itself goes out. We usually send an invitation two to three months before the event, so you should factor this into your planning. If the reunion is to be held on campus, we will also send a letter to confirm bookings and an information sheet with directions to the venue, nearby car parks etc.
Room Booking and Catering
We can advise on a number of University venues, and if your reunion is to be held on campus, we can book catering and venues for you. If you would prefer to hold your reunion off campus, contact us for information about venues offering special rates for Strathclyde events.
Promotion
We will promote your reunion on the page of our website and, space permitting, in Strathclyde People magazine.
Souvenirs and Display Materials
Alumni & Development can advise on where University souvenirs can be purchased. On request, we will provide University publications for use as display materials at reunions, as well as Alumni Update forms.
Photographs
If your reunion is held on campus and you would like a University photographer to record the event, we can arrange this for you. We'll also send all attendees a photo by post after the reunion.
Campus Tours
If you'd like to see how the University has changed since you were here, we can organise a tour of the campus for your group. We'll make sure your old department is included in the tour and a member of academic staff may be available to talk about developments in the department over the years.
University Staff
The Alumni & Development office may be able to contact current and former members of staff on your behalf. If you would like to invite any lecturers or support staff to your reunion, please do not hesitate to ask.
Form a Committee
The most important step in organising a reunion is to get help: try to find others who will form a committee with you, to shoulder some of the responsibilities and help make major decisions. Try and plan a time when all of you can meet, even if it is only on one occasion. It is preferable to start planning your reunion at least a year ahead of the proposed date.
Decide on a Format
You will know best what your group will enjoy. Consider the different factors that might affect attendance: are your classmates retired or do they have young families? What is an affordable ticket price?
Timing and Venue
Once you have decided on what sort of event you would like to arrange and how many people might attend, you should start to think about when and where the event should be held. Would a daytime or evening event suit your fellow alumni better? Will distance be a deterrant? Does your reunion conflict with other major events? What rooms will be available at which time of year? Is your venue upstairs and, if so, are there lifts available? Will the venue be large enough? Does the venue welcome children? Does it require a deposit? Try and write a checklist of things you need in your venue such as: disabled access, baby changing facilities, toilets, kitchens, lifts, lectern, PA system, parking and proximity to public transport.
Budget
If the reunion is to be held on campus, Alumni & Development can take payments from attendees. If not, you will need to decide how alumni will pay for their tickets and when you need payment by. You should also establish how much money will need to be spent up front and which member of your committee will deal with the finances.
Project Plan
You may like to write a project plan and draw up a timeline to help you organise your time before the event.
Guest List
We ask that all reunion organisers send us a list of attendees for our records.
Report
We will also be glad to include a report and photograph of your reunion on the page and, space permitting, in Strathclyde People magazine.
These are some of the many favourable comments we have received about events held on campus
"Very well organised and enjoyable occasion. Everyone present enjoyed it thoroughly. Delighted with photographs received on the day."
"Many thanks for all the hard work put in by you all and for giving us a day to remember. Keep up the good work!"
"Very interesting and enjoyable day. Appreciated the Alumni Office making time and effort for such a small group."
"You and your team put on a great day for us -- including an excellent meal superbly devised, cooked, presented and served. Many thanks indeed for creating the setting for us to refresh memories of our time at the Tech and to see how it has been transformed into today's University of Strathclyde."
"A very enjoyable day - worth the 190 miles round trip from West Cumbria."
