Design and implementation of a decision support system for institutional advancement

The issue of increasing the effectiveness of alumni development and fund raising programs tc ensure quality in academic programs and campus life for the coming decade was examined. The study's primary purposes were to: (1) describe the development of a comprehensive decision support system for alumni and fund raising activities at one independent university--the University of Hartford, Connecticut; (2) examine specific research and management applications of that system; and (3) feature examples of effective analyses and reports it can generate. Discussions focused on early collaboration between institutional researchers and advancement professionals which facilitated the study and led to construction of a multipurpose alumni survey. Preliminary results indicated that administrators desiring to strengthen fund raising programs should concentrate on the following areas: improve community and donor relationships; gain the confidence of the institution and the partic:_pation of its president; build commitment among staff to improve outcomes; interact with people (including staff); and participate in other cultivation/solicitation activities. Contains le references. (GLR) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document.