Class Agent Job Description
Mission
Today there is a great deal of contact between the University and its alumni.
From the Tower Magazine, to The View from UD alumni eNewsletter, to
periodic Annual Fund letters, alumni receive a lot of information from the
University. However, as good as this communication may be, it can’t
replace the personal touch of a fellow class member when writing a
letter, or building interest in the next class reunion or encouraging
classmates to volunteer. It is that personal nature of class agents that
makes them a powerful, positive force.
The mission of the Class Agent Program at the University of Dallas is to keep
the alumni body in close, personal contact with the university, to increase
alumni understanding of the current mission and values of the university,
and to gain alumni support of and participation in the ongoing efforts of our
great alma mater.
Why Serve as a Class Agent?
The University of Dallas is consistently ranked as one of the top 50 liberal
arts colleges in America by The National Review College Guide and is
repeatedly named by the Templeton Foundation as one of America’s
character building colleges. UD also ranks as one of the top tier math and
science schools in the nation by Peterson’s Top Colleges for Math and
Science. The University was ranked by Money Magazine as one of the top 10
Best Values in the nation and was given the highest recommendation by
Choosing the Right College, published by the Intercollegiate Studies
Institute.
However, for many students, the cost of private school tuition is high. UD
offers over 90% of our students some form of financial aid, which is
made possible by the generosity of alumni, in combination with the
generosity of Trustees, parents and friends of the university. Over
40% of our students are ‘legacy’, meaning that they have a connection with
one or more of our 25,000 alumni worldwide.
Class agents, as alumni leaders and UD ambassadors, positively
impact the lives of current and future students, fellow alumni, and
the university community as a whole.
What Is the Role of a Class Agent?
Class agents act as class chairs for their respective classes during nonreunion years. As such, they are communicators and motivators for their
classmates to become involved in activities and events at the University. It
is expected that these persons be supportive of the University of Dallas, and
be respected by their peers. Class agents are:
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Liaisons between the staff and their classmates. They inform their
classmates on current issues at the University and provide feedback
to the University on classmates’ interests, concerns and news.
Communicators. They participate in outreach efforts to classmates
in need of emergency assistance or support, especially in cases
where no other means of assistance are available.
Stewards for class fundraising efforts. As such, class agents should
believe in philanthropy and have a positive track record of giving to
the university, or have a desire to begin giving to the University.
Motivators. Class agents works with their fellow classmates to
identify ways for alumni to help support the University through
volunteer initiatives in student recruitment, career mentoring,
academic advisory boards and more.
In a class where more than one person volunteers to be class agent, it can
be ideal for one person to take on the communication responsibilities for the
class, and one person to take on the stewardship responsibilities for the
class. In some cases, up to four individuals have volunteered to be agents
for one class. The Alumni Office Staff is glad to assist in deciding how duties
can most comfortably be distributed among multiple volunteers.
Term of Service
There is no particular term of service for a class agent or steward. Some
begin to serve upon graduation, and continue for many years; others begin
early, and then choose to pass the baton after a short time; still others
begin their service several decades after they have graduated. In some
cases, agents resign their posts because of the demands of their personal
and/or professional lives. The University will always accept a class agent or
steward’s resignation – no questions asked.
Class agents or stewards who are consistently not performing their roles to
the level of expectation may be asked to step down by the class or by the
Alumni Office. This action will only be taken when all other attempts to help
the agent or steward have been exhausted.
Selection
Class agents are, first and foremost, volunteers. They give of their time and
talent to keep their fellow class members in touch with the College and each
other.
Class agents and stewards for alumni classes, those replacing a departing
agent, or those who are new in the role, will emerge as a result of a call for
volunteers from the University and/or from the class itself.
Class Agent Responsibilities & Rough Timeline
Send news on classmates to the Alumni Office for publication on the web site
and e-Newsletter.
(Quarterly)
Collect class notes for the semi-annual Tower Magazine.
(Quarterly)
Cross-reference class list contact information with the Alumni Office.
(July & January)
Coordinate with Alumni Office staff in rallying your class to the aid of any
classmates in need (from sending simple sympathy cards for sickness/death
to assisting classmates in need of financial or volunteer help)
(As needed)
Informing classmates on current issues at UD and providing feedback to
staff. (As needed)
Contact classmates to help publicize upcoming alumni events including
reunions, meetings, networking events, special lectures, as well as class
projects, UD mentoring program, assistance with student recruitment, etc.
(As needed)
With assistance from staff, draft a solicitation letter each year for the COR
Fund and help educate classmates on the impact of giving to UD and the
importance of the class’ participation rate.
(July)
Make a gift to the University of Dallas each year. Leadership by example is
crucial, and greatly appreciated.
(Annually)
Write a thank you letter to be sent to classmates who contribute at the end
of the, thanking them for their participation.
(September)
Assist with reunion planning during anniversary year(s).
(As needed)
Staff Responsibilities & Rough Timeline
Send class lists to class agents for cross-referencing purposes.
(July & January)
Send monthly e-Newsletter specific to class agents with steward news, tips,
ideas, etc.
(Quarterly)
Inform class agents about potential deadlines for publications for which
alumni news is needed (i.e., class notes for the Tower Magazine).
(Quarterly)
Assist class agents with information to help draft solicitation letters, as well
as handling all expenses associated with producing and mailing the letters.
(Fall & Spring)
Provide information at the end of the each fiscal year, which details class
participation and overall giving, especially in comparison with other classes.
(June)
Invite class agents as guests of the University to special events and
volunteer receptions (i.e., during Alumni Reunion).
(Ongoing)
Program Goals
Obtain more accurate alumni contact information, with emphasis on
reconnecting with ‘lost’ alumni.
 Improve communication among alumni.
 Build synergy between UD and alumni, in support of the missions of
the University and the Alumni Association.
 Increase alumni giving and participation to the University of Dallas.
Current Class Agents
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A list of current class agents is available by contacting Rachel Gilliam,
Director of Alumni Relations, at 972-721-5133, or [email protected].