By Toby White
U of C alumni may soon lose representation by a legally independent body, as the Alumni Association seeks to integrate with the university. At its 2002 agm the Alumni Association voted to “pursue a merger within the structure of the University of Calgary.” As a result a Governance Review Steering Committee was created to discuss modifying the Alumni Association as an advisory body of the university.
"The review, and its consequentrecommendations provide an opportunity to forge a tight and productive relationship between our alumni and the university," explained U of C President Harvey Weingarten.
Roslyne Buchanan, Executive Director of the Alumni Association, explained the association now operates within a different environment that necessitates a move away from legal independence.
"Freedom of information policies make it difficult for independent entities such as the university and the Alumni Association to collaborate and share lists of names," explained Buchanan. "In addition, there are liability issues that can be addressed within the review."
Both Buchanan and Weingarten feel now is an ideal time to review the Alumni Association’s agreement with the university. With the recent release of the university’s Academic Plan, Buchanan sees an opportunity for the Alumni Association to work together with administration to advance university goals.
"This is about collaboration," said Buchanan. "The committee will be a more collaborative approach to developing our relationship."
Some feel uneasy about the Alumni Association moving away from autonomy. Nic Porco, the undergraduate representative to the Board of Governors, and former Students’ Union Vice-President Academic worries that student voices may not be heard once they become alumni if they are not represented by an independent organization.
"I am a little worried about the Alumni Association getting swallowed up by a much larger university," stated Porco. "When I’m an alumni I would prefer to be represented by an independent body, one that only has alumni in mind."
Buchanan said while previously a strong independent Alumni Association was necessary, a merger with the university is a natural evolution.
"The contribution of alumni to the university is now more acknowledged," explained Buchanan. "Now is the time to move away from being an arms-length advocate."
The committee will begin by analyzing the current relationship between the university and the Alumni Association with the assistance of Southtown Consulting, and hopes to report findings by November. Porco trusts that the Alumni Association will make the right decision for current and future alumni, and hopes that the association will continue to voice the concerns of alumni, even when they differ from those of the university. He would also like to see the democratic structure of the association remain in place.
"I hope that the Alumni Association continues to elect a president and other representatives," said Porco. "It would be a real shame to lose out on all those alumni volunteers."