Re: A question of licences and Alumni members

["Dana Bostrom" <bostrom@u.washington.edu>]

One thing I have considered is whether or not giving access to electronic
information resources to alumni members would improve alumni participation
rates at institutions.  Additional costs incurred when adding alumni to
licenses could be passed on as part of the alumni membership fee.  I
believe that for select groups of people on campus -- academics, library &
information science grads, etc. -- that would be a compelling reason for
membership.  But I've had my doubts as to whether or not the advantages
would outweigh the costs, and what the fee would need to be to provide
access to alumni members.  Many universities are now providing lifetime
e-mail forwarding, after students have gotten used to excellent service;
perhaps information access will be arranged in a creative fashion in the
future.

Dana Bostrom
*************************************
Software Technology Manager
Office of Technology Transfer
University of Washington
PH: 206.616.3451 FAX:206.616.3322
bostrom@u.washington.edu

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michele Newberry" <fclmin@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu>
> Coming from a public university system in a state where the funding
> sources tend to believe that it really is all free on the Internet, I know
> that we'd never be funded to support access for alumni.  There's barely
> enough support for the faculty and students as it is.
>
> Regarding the authentication issue... that too would never be supported by
> the registrars offices at our universities.  This would require keeping
> all previously registered students in their files in perpetuity and we'd
> have to keep them in our circulation system patron files.  That would mean
> that they also had access in perpetuity to all other library services such
> as checking out books and ILL services.  This is not something that is
> offered carte blanche to everyone.  What is an alumnus?  Someone who
> actually graduated in good standing or anyone who ever took a single class
> at the university?  This impracticality for public institutions would be
> enough reason if funding weren't the major impediment.
>
>   -- Michele Newberry
>       FCLA