ACTIONS ARISING FROM THE ALUMNI CONSULTATIVE GROUP (ACG)
MEETING ON 10 December 2011
Present:
In Attendance:
Apologies:
Mr Ian Forster (Chair), Miss Sue Bevan, Miss Helen Buckley, Dr Praminthra Chitsabesan,
Dr David Moffatt, Dr Savvas Papagiannidis, Miss Laura Perry, Mr Mark Scrimshaw, Mr
Antony Jones, Mrs Pamela Stephens, Mr Alistair Mitchell.
Mrs Jane Clubley, Miss Charlotte Ball, Miss Maria Douglas, Dr John Hogan, Professor
Ella Ritchie.
Professor Chris Brink, Mrs Jeannette Strachan, Professor Patrick Lavery
ITEM
Minutes from the previous meeting
Matters arising from the minutes
DARO
Newcastle University Marine
Alumni Branch
ACTIONS/DECISIONS
The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2011 were
approved.
‘Work Streams’ suggested but not yet in place. Will be discussed
further and reported on at next ACG meeting.
Noted:
 Jane Clubley reported she had very successful meetings with
David Moffatt, Savvas Papagiannidis and Sue Bevan.
 It was suggested by Jane Clubley that ACG members
attend/assist with at least one DARO event, together with
attendance at Convocation 2012. Please go to the following link
to view details - http://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni/events/cw/.
 It was proposed by Jane Clubley that members of the ACG
align themselves with groups that are not already represented
by an ACG member.
 It was also suggested that students who have benefitted from
the AA’s and NCL+ work, such as bursary recipients, should
attend an ACG meeting.
 The Annual Fund is performing extremely well.
 A large donation from a Business School alumnus has just
been received.
 Welcome to Maria Douglas, new Alumni Relations Coordinator.
Agreed:
 Jane Clubley will be meeting with the rest of the members of
the committee and will report back at future meeting.
 Tania Angelopoulos will update on Convocation and
forthcoming events at the next meeting.
 Tania Angelopoulos will liaise with members to create
affiliations.
 Charlotte Ball to identify recipients to attend a future meeting
 Updated DARO staff list to be sent to all members.
Noted:
 After years of great success Alistair Mitchell noted that,
because of other commitments, the administration of the branch
is becoming more difficult.
 Alistair Mitchell asked the committee for their suggestions as
to what the branch’s focus should be going forward to get the
best return and best service to alumni and the University.

DARO Database
University Business
AOB
Antony Jones stated that the focus of the branches should be to
help the alumni first and foremost and to serve their needs. He
suggested that the branches also focus on engaging with their
alumni and providing opportunities for them, especially in
regards to employability.
Agreed:
 DARO will continue to support their communication needs for
NUMAB.
 Alistair Mitchell to be appointed to the working group to
review the constitution.
 Discussion of Marine branch’s future to be agenda item at next
meeting.
Noted:
 Savvas Papagiannidis proposed a project by his students
working on retrieving data from social media networks. He
described the University’s and DARO’s position as middling in
terms of use of social media. Savvas Papagiannidis suggested
more work on engaging with the audience.
Agreed:
 Chris Humphreys (Database Manager) to attend the next
meeting.
 Invite Abi Kelly to future meeting to discuss communications
strategy.
 DARO to look into promotion and current operation of ‘E-mail
for life’ and report back.
Noted:
 That the introduction of higher fees for undergraduates had
produced a good deal of uncertainty in the recruitment position.
Nationally applications for undergraduate study were down
10% with Newcastle down by 6.5%. Newcastle is still
performing well and statistically slightly better than its
comparators.
 Changes in fees have caused fluctuation in applications with a
lot of subject volatility but will become clearer once places are
confirmed in 2012.
 The University would be investing in improving University
residential accommodation with an increase in the proportion of
en-suite bedrooms.
Noted:
 British Science Festival being hosted by the University in 2013
7 -12 September. DARO would be working with PR and
Research and Enterprise Services on this project for
philanthropic support and also to consider how alumni can
support the event.
 Newcastle University Medical campus formerly opened in
Malaysia and the event was a huge success. DARO is working
with representatives in country to support alumni
communications and other activities.
 ACG members are welcome to claim travel expenses if
required. All claims to be sent to Maria Douglas.

Dates and venue of forthcoming
meetings
Thanks to the Students’ Union President, Laura Perry, for
organising the tour of the Union Building.
Saturday 10th March 2012, Union Building
Time: 11am – 1pm
Friday 15th June 2012, King’s Gate
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Maria Douglas
Alumni Relations Co-ordinator
Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO)
13th December 2011