Alumni Association
The University of Alberta’s first alumni magazine was called The Trail, and it was published between 1920 and 1941. In 1942, it gave way to New Trail, which has been published three or four times a year ever since. New Trail is distributed free of charge to all alumni with known addresses, whether they live in Canada or around the world. Currently, its circulation is more than 110,000 copies.
The Alumni Association was begun in 1915 by a small group of University of Alberta graduates. The Association works interdependently with the Office of Alumni Affairs and currently has more than 175,000 graduates, 15 alumni chapters, and 40 branches around the world. All U of A graduates automatically become life members of the Association and do not incur any fees.
The Association is a volunteer, non-profit organization. Its governing body is the Alumni Council which represents the alumni constituency, provides advice, and determines policy. Additionally, the Council reviews programs, provides input into University administration, and directs the assets of the Association.
All Council members are elected and non-remunerated. Alumni Council meets four times annually.
The Alumni Council is composed of:
- one representative from each of the fifteen degree-granting faculties and two members-at-large
- the President and Past-President of the Association
- the Honorary President (the University President)
- two alumni representatives on each of the Board of Governors and Senate (chosen by the Alumni Council)
- the Presidents of the Students' Union and the Graduate Students' Association (ex-officio)
- the Executive Director of the Alumni Association and the University Vice-President (External Affairs) (ex-officio, non-voting)
Throughout its almost hundred-year history, the Alumni Association has consistently upheld its primary mission, which is to create a lifetime connection between alumni and the University.
The Association provides alumni with a wide variety of useful services and benefits that include
- a lifetime University email forwarding address, window decals, and a free lifetime subscription to the University’s award-winning alumni magazine New Trail;
- continued use of the University of Alberta OneCard, which gives members special alumni rates for the University Rec Centre, discounts at the University Bookstore, access to University library services, entrance to campus pubs, and even access to recreational facilities at select universities and colleges across Canada;
- ability to partake in international branches of the Alumni Association, which coordinate to host socials, bring in speakers, and orient newly arrived alumni;
- group purchasing power on products and services such as auto, home, and life insurance, as well as credit card services;
- travel and education opportunities;
- scholarships, bursaries, and recognition awards;
- alumni events and reunions; and
- History Trails website.
The Association’s operating funds come from revenue-generating programs such as sales of crested degree frames, an Affinity Master Card, an Affinity partnership with TD Meloche Monnex for auto and home insurance, and an Affinity partnership with Industrial Alliance Pacific for life and health insurance.
In 2008, Alumni Affairs is hosting the University of Alberta’s largest homecoming event. From September 18 to September 23, all alumni are invited to the campus to celebrate the University’s centenary. To kick off these celebrations and festivities, an impressive Alumni Centenary legacy will be unveiled. For more information, contact:
Office of Alumni Affairs
Telephone:
(780) 492-3224
Toll free: 1-800-661-2593
Email: alumni@ualberta.ca