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NEWCASTLE ALUMNI AND THE ALUMNI CONSULTATIVE GROUP (ACG)
Background Paper
Background
Newcastle University has a global network of over 195,000 graduates living and working in more than 200
countries around the world. We are currently adding more than 7,000 a year to this number. This is a huge
community the vast majority of whom share a common characteristic of having studied for a degree normally
in the City of Newcastle and, therefore, have invested a significant and formative period of their lives engaged
with this University. It is also an immensely diverse community whose members will share few common
characteristics beyond the connection to Newcastle University. It is probably fair to acknowledge that the
University has struggled to develop operational arrangements that can utilise the potential benefits of such a
large body. The huge numbers involved itself make this task daunting and, realistically, there can only be a
level of mass communication, some attention to smaller groups or individuals and the facilitation of selfsustaining networks.
The title ‘Alumni Association’ is often used but this is effectively a brand. All graduates automatically become
members of the alumni and the ‘Association’ is a nice association with the University.
Convocation
The University currently has two bodies in place to ‘represent’ the alumni. Convocation is one of five statutory
bodies of the University (the others are Council, Senate, Court and Academic Board). All alumni of the
University are members of Convocation. Under the Statutes, Convocation may discuss and, if it thinks fit, make
representations on any matter whatsoever relating to the University. It also appoints the Chancellor on the
recommendation of Senate and Court. Convocation elects its own Chair and Deputy Chair. The Chair is also a
member of the Alumni Consultative Group and plays an active role in promoting Convocation.
Attendance at Convocation has been poor. In recent years the number of alumni have been:
 2015 – 51 attended
 2012 – 69 attended
 2014 – 49 attended
 2011 – 72 attended
 2013 – 77 attended
 2010 – 66 attended
Alumni Consultative Group
The ACG (formerly the Alumni Development Group - ADG) was established in 1993 at the same time as the
‘Alumni Association’. The mission statement is:
The ACG aims to represent the interests of all Newcastle University alumni. As alumni ambassadors,
the members aim to act in an alumni liaison capacity and provide valuable input on issues of strategic
importance to the University. The members also support the Corporate Affairs Directorate in ensuring
key messages are communicated outwards. The work of the group should strengthen the work of
Corporate Affairs in support of the University’s engagement in the economic, social and cultural
development of the North East, and its strategic positioning as a civic university, nationally and
internationally.
ASG also has acted as a link between alumni and Convocation. The ACG comprises 10 elected members and 7
ex-officio members (University office holders). The current membership has recently questioned its role, an
issue voiced by individual members, and during a facilitated workshop held on 12 September 2015. The
general feeling expressed by members is that they can act as a “sounding body”; offer individual support for
alumni and student activities and find ways of “encouraging graduates to become involved and interested in
promoting the University, without necessarily wanting to benefit on a personal level”. There is also recognition
that the needs and views of the diverse demographic of alumni will differ.
There is some unease at the relationship between the more collegial aspects of alumni relations and the
fundraising and high level external influencing aspects of our Advancement strategy. The majority of the
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membership of the ACG express enthusiasm for an active involvement in promoting the University, and
engaging with the current student body as well as other alumni.
From the University’s perspective, it needs to be acknowledged that we have struggled to use the ACG in a
constructive manner – one that adds value to the University and ensures that the members feel their
contribution is valued and effective. Part of this stems from the issue of any committee which meets relatively
infrequently but with potentially a wide agenda.
Over the last 15 years or so there have been a large number of constitutional amendments to the composition
and selection procedures for members of the Alumni Consultative Group which inevitably have taken
considerable time. This in itself might be an indication that it is difficult to articulate clearly what the Group
should do. The idea of aligning more closely the constitutional relationship between Convocation and ACG has
been around for a while. At the meeting of Convocation in June 2010, the then Chair of ACG, Mark Scrimshaw,
proposed that it was unnecessary to have two chairs (one for Convocation and one for the Alumni Consultative
Group) and at that meeting there was general support for moving towards one role to represent all alumni but
in subsequent debate in ACG it was decided to retain the separate roles.
Alumni Relations
Alumni engagement has evolved in recent years, and sophisticated programmes have developed around
recruitment; international activities and market intelligence; career development; student wellbeing and
outreach initiatives. ACG has heard about some of these initiatives at previous meetings.
There has been a shift in graduate perceptions, in some regards relating to the introduction of a fee rather than
a grant structure. The majority of graduates today are not seeking a ‘benefits package’ from their alma mater,
but a lifelong relationship whereby the University continually improves in standing and reputation, adding
value to the currency of each graduate qualification. As such, advancement offices are continually engaging
with graduates who can give advice and time to programmes of professional engagement e.g. recruitment;
mentoring; work placements; international understanding; fundraising and student wellbeing.
Options
The University takes great pride in the achievements of its alumni and, as a constituency, they will always be of
considerable importance. There are some individuals who play a much more active role and these include
members of the Alumni Consultative Group and, of course, any office holder from Convocation. The University
should be particularly grateful to these individuals. It is important though that all feel that their voluntary
contribution is not only appreciated but effective. Members of ACG, in particular, must feel that their role lacks
clarity and effectiveness as currently defined.
I would welcome a discussion about options. The key phrases from the mission statement which are worth
looking at strike me as the following.
 to represent the interests of all Newcastle University alumni – is this realistic or doable?
 alumni ambassadors, the members aim to act in an alumni liaison capacity and provide valuable
input on issues of strategic importance to the University – is ACG the right vehicle for this or can the
concept of Alumni Ambassadors be more integrated into the cooperation of the University?
 support the Corporate Affairs Directorate in ensuring key messages are communicated outwards – is
this realistic for or via a single committee?
 the work of the group should strengthen the work of Corporate Affairs in support of the University’s
engagement in the economic, social and cultural development of the North East, and its strategic
positioning as a civic university, nationally and internationally – is this doable?
John Hogan, Registrar
26 November 2015
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