Alumni Representative Program 
by David G. Marut

Syracuse University alumni are valuable to the Office of Admissions' efforts to recruit students. You are invited to become part of the team by joining the Alumni Representative Program. 

Being an Alumni Representative requires commitment, hard work, and the ability to communicate with high school students and their parents. Representatives should feel positive about their own experiences as a Syracuse University student, and should feel comfortable sharing perspectives with students and parents. It can be a fun and rewarding experience, and you can be assured of the positive contribution you are making to your alma mater. 

The Alumni Representative Program supports the Office of Admissions through volunteer participation in a variety of activities: 

College Nights and College Fairs 

Fair formats are excellent opportunities to meet students and their parents, answer questions, and distribute literature about the University. Most programs have evening hours, making it possible for Alumni Representatives to attend. These programs help the Office of Admissions build its inquiry pool. It's important to identify students early, and by building a large and well qualified student inquiry pool, we can maintain selective standards.

Presentations and Programs 

Each fall and spring, the Office of Admissions holds evening presentations in selected cities. Interested students and their parents are invited to presentations on the University's academic programs, extracurricular life, admissions, and financial aid. Alumni Representatives assist staff members and answer questions, drawing on their own experiences as students. At admitted student programs in the spring, Alumni Representatives are invited to serve as panelists and can respond to questions from admitted students and parents about their University experience and their current professional life. 
 
Student Interviews 

The Office of Admissions conducts personal interviews in major metropolitan areas for applicants who are unable to visit the campus. Alumni Representatives' assistance has enabled us to interview a greater number of students, adding a new dimension to the program 
 
Telecounseling 

Telephone calls from local Alumni Representatives add a personal touch to recruitment and are appreciated by students and parents. In selected locations, Alumni Representatives are asked to contact prospective students or to make congratulatory phone calls to admitted students. We provide Representatives with a list of students from their area, including addresses, phone numbers, and academic interests. 
 
Alumni Clubs 

Alumni Representatives are encouraged to become involved in local events, including send-off parties. These are receptions for newly enrolling students, held during the summer before students begin their first year at SU.  
 
Ongoing Communication 

Each Alumni Representative must be well informed about different aspects of the University. While Representatives are not expected to be experts on every program, they should know how to find out about different programs and know when to refer students to the Office of Admissions. It is also important to understand general admissions and financial aid guidelines. This is why ongoing communication is an important element in maintaining the Alumni Representative Program. Your regional coordinator and the Office of Admissions provide important information to Representatives on various University topics including admissions and financial aid. Alumni Representatives are encouraged to visit the Syracuse University homepage (www.syracuse.edu) and read the Alumni magazine (www..sumag.syr.edu/) for additional current information.  
 
Getting Started 

If you would like more information about becoming an Alumni Representative in the greater Chicago land area, please email , Regional Coordinator for Recruitment Activities.  

Please supply the following information: 

Name, Address, City, State, Zip, Home Phone, Business Phone, email address 

Year(s) of graduation, college(s)/major(s)/degree(s).