Marquette University Perceptions Online Survey

[Sir Lawrence]

I received an email earlier in the week indicating that I would get another email asking to fill out a brief online survey.  I assume many of you did too.  One of the final questions involved the percentage of donors to MU out of the alumni base.  I won't give away the answer, but the next question points out that it is lower than the national average, and asks for input as to why that might be.

Interested in what you folks think. 

[GGGG]

Alumni percentage rate is the most overated statistic in fundraising.  It could be because the University's development staff recognizes that and spends most of its efforts on raising total $$$ and less on trying to get $10 out of some 23 year old donor.

[mu_hilltopper]

I took the survey .. I'd guessed lower than the actual number.

I hear Sultan's comments .. I imagine other universities may indeed try to get the $10 from everyone, so that figure is higher.

That being said, I'm not surprised it's low for MU.  Wonder how it is higher at other universities.

I'd correlate that to .. what %age of people go to their reunions?  Since I live in the area, I've gone to all of them .. have been completely disappointed in the turnout, 200-400 people out of 1900.   

I know people have wide ranging reasons for not returning for their reunion .. and I wonder what the rate is at other schools .. but I'll bet there's a strong correlation between reunion attendance and donation %age. 

I would suggest that donations and reunion attendance have a relationship to "how beloved" the school is.   Now, I can predict some would say, oh, that's crap, everyone loves their time at Marquette.    Somehow, 80+% don't come back for reunions, don't donate.  I understand economic and other reasons explain some of that, but certainly not all.

FWIW.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I think our reunion turnout is low because a huge amount of alums live within driving distance and get back all the time, particularly for basketball games. I've never been to a reunion, but I'm in Milwaukee constantly. Reunions don't mean much to me.

[GGGG]

They could try to get $10 from all alumni...which is $500,000 or so.  Or they could try to get one alum to give them $500,000.  

The latter is much easier and more cost effective.

[KipsBayEagle]

While I don't think this SHOULD be a factor, many of the college rating systems (such as US news) use alumni giving as a factor in determining college ranking.  Alumni giving, whether you like it or not, is actually kind of important.  If everyone gave 10 bucks, they would probally be investing in themselves as well as the university, since it would bump up Marquette's annual ranking, thus improving job opportunities/ salaries.

[mu_hilltopper]

I'm curious what other people think of my "beloved" concept on MU.

I'm gonna go that it's a semi-bell curve.  10% bleed blue and gold, 40% love it, 30% are indifferent, 20% somewhat dislike.

[MUfan12]

I'm curious what other people think of my "beloved" concept on MU.

I'm gonna go that it's a semi-bell curve.  10% bleed blue and gold, 40% love it, 30% are indifferent, 20% somewhat dislike.

I got the survey as well, and my answer to the last question was that they keep stepping in it with some really dumb decisions. Nickname (twice), the A&S dean fiasco, etc. For some reason MU has a knack for creating PR messes.

I have to wonder if that contributes to the lower donor participation.

[Sir Lawrence]

I have to wonder if that contributes to the lower donor participation.

That's actually why I started this thread.  My comments in the survey were similar to yours.  Nickname, etc.  I didn't want this thread to turn into yet another rant on the nickname business, but I really wonder what impact it has truly had on alumni donations. 

And as to Hilltopper's percentages, I'd up the "dislike" category 5-10%.  The rest seems about right, in my estimation.   

[mu_hilltopper]

And I wonder what those "beloved" stats are for other schools around here, in the same vein.  Creighton, DePaul, Notre Dame, Xavier, SLU, etc. 

One would guess Domers belove the hell out of their school .. wonder how the rest compare to MU.

[RJax55]

That's actually why I started this thread.  My comments in the survey were similar to yours.  Nickname, etc.  I didn't want this thread to turn into yet another rant on the nickname business, but I really wonder what impact it has truly had on alumni donations.    

I hope this doesn't descend into the nickname debate, but here's a little personal experience to add to your comments.

While a student at MU, I worked in the Phonathon office. Didn't work phones, but in the office during the day. One of the tasks I did was to look at the reports that the phonathon workers would make the previous night after making a call. My job was just to flag certain things -- Change of address, no more solicitations, contact died, etc.

Anyway, on the report it would indicate if the person donated or not. And, if not, why. The first reason was economic constraints. The second, without question, was due to the nickname. And, I would estimate it to be roughly 20-25% of the total number of declines. This was also before "Gold", in the early part of the 2000s.

[SacWarrior]

And I wonder what those "beloved" stats are for other schools around here, in the same vein.  Creighton, DePaul, Notre Dame, Xavier, SLU, etc. 

One would guess Domers belove the hell out of their school .. wonder how the rest compare to MU.

+1. Everyone else in this thread seems to want to compare us to state schools and ivy league schools, who will undoubtedly have a better satisfaction rating due to their national perceptions. Marquette should be judges against schools like marquette, such as DePaul, SLU, Xavier, Creighton, even Gonzaga and Loyola

[Ari Gold]

Amongst younger generations Facebook and social networking has to play a factor in reunions. Why show up to try and find the +/-  100 people out of 2000 that you'd like to see again when you can just creep on their facebook?

[ChicosBailBonds]

What's the link?

[Coleman]

I hope this doesn't descend into the nickname debate, but here's a little personal experience to add to your comments.

While a student at MU, I worked in the Phonathon office. Didn't work phones, but in the office during the day. One of the tasks I did was to look at the reports that the phonathon workers would make the previous night after making a call. My job was just to flag certain things -- Change of address, no more solicitations, contact died, etc.

Anyway, on the report it would indicate if the person donated or not. And, if not, why. The first reason was economic constraints. The second, without question, was due to the nickname. And, I would estimate it to be roughly 20-25% of the total number of declines. This was also before "Gold", in the early part of the 2000s.

I don't doubt it, but that's really sad.

The nickname decision was made by a group of people (largely) no longer associated with the university (especially Rev. DeUlio), the withholding of donations hurts future and current students and also limits the value of the degree of those alumni withholding donations.

[pillardean]

I cannot believe the low level of percentage of alumni that donate. 

I thought much more. 

[NYWarrior]

I cannot believe the low level of percentage of alumni that donate.  

I thought much more.  

it is terrible ... MU's overall participation rate.  We should do much better as an alumni base.

http://www.marquette.edu/giving/whygive.shtml

[Ari Gold]

it is terrible ... MU's overall participation rate.  We should do much better as an alumni base.

http://www.marquette.edu/giving/whygive.shtml

I give like $300 every time I buy tickets. that's what MU will get out of me

[ATL MU Warrior]

While I don't think this SHOULD be a factor, many of the college rating systems (such as US news) use alumni giving as a factor in determining college ranking.  Alumni giving, whether you like it or not, is actually kind of important.  If everyone gave 10 bucks, they would probally be investing in themselves as well as the university, since it would bump up Marquette's annual ranking, thus improving job opportunities/ salaries.

Once you are in the workforce for a few years where you went to school becomes far less important than the real world experience you have gained.  Not sure the ranking of your alma mater means diddly squat.  Maybe in some fields.

[Sir Lawrence]

+1. Everyone else in this thread seems to want to compare us to state schools and ivy league schools, who will undoubtedly have a better satisfaction rating due to their national perceptions. Marquette should be judges against schools like marquette, such as DePaul, SLU, Xavier, Creighton, even Gonzaga and Loyola

I must need reading glasses.  I don't see where anyone in this thread "seems to want to compare us to state schools and ivy league schools."  But I think I understand your point.  MU is a Jesuit/Catholic/Urban institution, and you are saying that those similar schools are our competition.  Not certain I totally agree. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

it is terrible ... MU's overall participation rate.  We should do much better as an alumni base.

http://www.marquette.edu/giving/whygive.shtml

What is the definition of giving rate?  Is it a certain dollar amount?  Is it a tenure defined as multiple years? 

[ChicosBailBonds]

Once you are in the workforce for a few years where you went to school becomes far less important than the real world experience you have gained.  Not sure the ranking of your alma mater means diddly squat.  Maybe in some fields.

Very true for the most part.

[GGGG]

What is the definition of giving rate?  Is it a certain dollar amount? 

Giving rate are the number of alumni households who give in a certain year divided by the number of alumni households solicited.  There are a few reasons why this is a constantly manipulated statistic.  Many organizations won't solicit all alumni.  They'll drop any sort of appeal to a household that doesn't donate.  Some won't even try to find "lost" alumni.

Marquette does solicit all alumni.  If not by phone, then by mail.  Certainly through an envelope in the magazine at least.  I am fairly certain that is why the rate is as low as it is.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Giving rate are the number of alumni households who give in a certain year divided by the number of alumni households solicited.  There are a few reasons why this is a constantly manipulated statistic.  Many organizations won't solicit all alumni.  They'll drop any sort of appeal to a household that doesn't donate.  Some won't even try to find "lost" alumni.

Marquette does solicit all alumni.  If not by phone, then by mail.  Certainly through an envelope in the magazine at least.  I am fairly certain that is why the rate is as low as it is.

So in effect, if you control the denominator you can increase your giving rate.  If you go to everyone, you're going to screw your giving rate.  Is there a dollar requirement?

[mu_hilltopper]

I'm amazed that organizations of higher learning can't/refuse to get together on honest, comparable statistics about their school data.   

(Not just this, but post-degree employment rates, etc.)