Volume 7 Issue 12


Research and News of Note

Media Coverage of Education Disappearing

Just 1.4 percent of U.S. national media coverage is dedicated to education, and little of that coverage has to do with learning, according to the authors of a new report on how the press covers education.

How to Make Your Online Magazine Click

In a December CASE Online Speaker Series titled “100 College Online Magazines,” Brenda Foster and Katie Pugh of GCF Marketing Communications for Education reported on the results of a survey of digital editions of university and alumni magazines. Their survey looked at 100 different online magazines to find common trends and formats.

Endowment Levels Up but Canadian Institutions Remain Cautious

Endowments have rebounded at many Canadian universities, but most institutions remain concerned about endowment spending and plan to keep cost-saving measures in place.

New Report Shows Strong UK Commitment to Education Fundraising

A new UK government blueprint for higher education shows a “commitment to educational fundraising for the long term.”

Billion-Dollar Campaigns Maintain Momentum in Tough Economy

Despite the tough economy, billion-dollar campaigns in higher education are making “sufficiently strong monthly progress” and are on track to meet their goals. That’s according to a new report that analyzed campaigns launched right before and after the onset of the recession.

Study Reveals Top Strategies for Better Prospecting

A new study identifies eight best practices in prospect research based on high-performing fundraising programs at 61 institutions in the United States.

Lack of Autonomy a Threat to Some European Universities

The European University Association has released a study reporting that public authorities play too much of a central role in the regulation of higher education and that many even exert direct control in a large number of countries.

Alumni Relations Measures Up

Gone are the days when alumni relations professionals could rely on head counts or anecdotal feedback as indicators of a job well done. Today’s alumni relations offices face increasing pressure to prove their worth, and they are turning to benchmarking to assess their operations and compare them to other institutions.

CASE Europe Against EC Proposal on Succession, Wills

The UK Ministry of Justice has issued a request for public comment to address whether the United Kingdom should opt-in to a European Commission proposal on succession and wills that would establish common rules concerning cross-border disputes about inheritance.

Survey Reveals State of Public Universities during Recession

A new survey reports that the current financial situation for public universities in the United States is “precarious” as a result of deep cuts in state appropriations during the recession preceded by decades of declining state support.

CASE Europe Receives Funding to Provide Training for Welsh Institutions

CASE Europe has secured about £70,000 in funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales to support new training initiatives for fundraising within Welsh higher education institutions.

Inside CASE

CASE Helps Meet Member Educational Needs with Simulcast

CASE has launched a new online offering that delivers live, interactive video broadcasts in real time of select CASE conferences and sessions.

CASE, Carnegie Name U.S. Professors of the Year

National and state winners of the 2009 U.S. Professors of the Year awards program were recognized Nov. 19 during a luncheon and awards ceremony at the Willard InterContinental Washington in Washington, D.C.

Experts to Discuss Pros, Cons of Different Membership Structures

To keep, eliminate or add membership dues? That is the question for many alumni associations searching for ways to expand outreach and boost revenue in today’s lackluster economy. Four experts in alumni relations will share their membership models and discuss the challenges facing alumni associations as they grapple with membership in a Jan. 14 CASE Online Speaker Series.

CASE 2008-2009 Digital Annual Report Now Online

Accomplishments of the 2009 fiscal year are highlighted in CASE's annual report, which is available in a digital format on the CASE Web site. The report includes a year-end review, financial statements and significant achievements during fiscal year 2009.

Nominations Open for Outstanding Research, Writing Awards

CASE is accepting nominations for three prestigious research and writing awards through Feb. 19, 2010. Researchers and scholars who have published works in alumni relations, communications and marketing, and development are encouraged to apply.

CASE Names New SimpsonScarborough Scholars

CASE has named the first two recipients of the new SimpsonScarborough Scholars program.

Learn how to Attract, Retain Fundraisers at New CASE Conference

Attracting and retaining top fundraising professionals is more challenging than ever due to the changing economy and rapid growth of the profession. Learn best practices from leading experts in talent management and human resources at a new CASE conference Jan. 13-15 in Newport Beach, Calif.

CASE Honors Top Government Relations Professionals

Two higher education state government relations professionals who strengthened public support for their institutions and higher education overall through extraordinary leadership and creative initiatives are the 2009 recipients of the Service Awards in State Government Relations.

Register for CASE NAIS, Have Tea at Russian Tea Room

It’s not too late to register for the CASE NAIS conference taking place Jan. 24-26 in New York City. And in honor of its 40th anniversary, CASE NAIS is holding a pre-conference senior forum and reception at the famed Russian Tea Room’s Bear Lounge in New York City.

CASE Names Jupiter Fellows for 2010

CASE has named the recipients of its Clarence J. Jupiter Fellowship program.

Call Issued for Distinguished Service Awards Nominations

Recognize the exceptional work of alumni, donors, colleagues or friends of your institution by nominating them for a CASE Distinguished Service Award. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 5.

CASE Seeks Educational Programs Manager, Designer

CASE is seeking applications for two positions in its Washington, D.C., office.

CASE in Search of Volunteer Leadership

Today is the deadline to submit nominations for the CASE Board of Trustees and its three advisory commissions: alumni relations, communications and marketing, and philanthropy. Submit an online nomination now or go to the Volunteer Opportunities section of the CASE Web site for more information.

Deadline Approaches for CASE Europe Board Nominations

Jan 15 is the deadline to submit nominations for the CASE Europe Board of Trustees.

Europe Advancement Staff on the Move

CASE Europe keeps members informed about their colleagues' advancement—whether moving to a new institution around the corner or across continents. See who's on the move.

U.S. Federal Relations News

House Passes Estate Tax Bill, Senate Fate Unclear

On Dec. 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4154, a bill that would permanently extend the estate tax at its 2009 levels, on a vote of 225-200. H.R. 4154 will now move to the U.S. Senate, where its fate is unclear.

CASE Unveils IRF Management and Governance Checklist

Institutionally related foundation executives and staff have a new tool to examine their foundation’s activities to ensure compliance with laws, standards and best practices.

House Passes Extension of IRA Charitable Rollover

On Dec. 9, the U.S. House passed the Tax Extenders Act of 2009 (H.R. 4213), legislation that would extend a number of tax provisions that expire on Dec. 31, 2009, including the IRA charitable rollover.

Matched Funding Scheme

CASE VP Speaks at Seminar about Fundraising at Finnish Universities

Joanna Motion, CASE vice president of international operations, recently was a guest speaker at a seminar in Helsinki on university funding. It was organised by the Ministry of Education, Finnish Council of University Rectors and the Finnish Institute in London.

CASE District News

District I—In a time of fiscal constraint, what's the best investment of the limited professional development dollars for District I members? The 2010 annual conference! The annual conference has been re-envisioned to be the best possible value for members with a reduced conference fee, offering two days of content for one low price. Register now! (Please also note that our discounted hotel rooms are going fast—book your room.)

District II—Due to popular demand, the early registration deadline for the CASE District II Conference has been extended to Monday, Dec. 21, giving members a few more days to save on registration for VISION 2010: Seeing the Possibilities, which takes place Feb. 7-9, 2010, in Philadelphia.

District III is pleased to announce that its 2010 district conference, Ingenuity, will take place Feb. 21-24 in Tampa, Fla. Featured speakers include The Gen-Y Guy (featured in the November issue of CURRENTS), the chief technology officer at Lockheed-Martin, and a world-renowned expert in the science of persuasion. Head over to the District III Web site www.casethree.org/conference for full conference details and to sign-up for its Facebook page.

District V reports that nearly 1,000 people had pre-registered for the 35th annual CASE V conference that kicked off in Chicago on Dec. 13. For more information about the conference and what's happening in the district, visit the CASE V Web site.

District VI is quickly approaching its annual conference, which runs Jan. 10-12, 2010, in St. Louis. With more than 100 breakout speakers and two dynamic keynote speakers, the conference will help all attendees get back on target.

District I

District II

District III

District IV

District V

District VI

District VII

District VIII

Comments and Questions

Please share your questions and comments with Pam Russell via e-mail at russell@case.org or by telephone at +1-202-478-5680.