Seventy-four years after its original charter, the Cal Aggie Alumni Association has formally reaffirmed its relationship with the campus. On May 15, CAAA President Meg Stallard and Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef signed a memorandum of understanding confirming the association's arrangement with the university and status as the officially recognized alumni group for UC Davis.

"To me, the MOU symbolizes the strong working relationship that the alumni association has with the campus," Stallard said. "Since our mission is 'to advance the interest and promote the welfare of the university and its alumni,' the agreement is an important part of supporting our mission. In return, the university is very supportive of our activities."

Under the agreement, the alumni association retains its separate legal status as a non-profit corporation governed by its board of directors. While separate, the organization is considered interdependent with the university. For example, alumni association staff are university employees, but most of their salaries are funded from revenue generated by the association. The agreement recognizes that CAAA provides funding and staff support to the university for some programs and the university provides some financial support to the association.

The MOU also reinforces the association's official status as "the umbrella organization for the constituency alumni groups of the campus." CAAA has nearly 30 alumni chapters, representing regional, academic/professional and special interest alumni constituencies.

In addition to its chapters program, the alumni association supports scholarships, student mentoring and recruitment programs, legislative advocacy on behalf of the campus and career development resources. Also, every year, the association and its chapters host alumni events throughout California and as far away as Thailand. The organization also participates in campus events like Picnic Day.

Alumni and friends of the university who would like to find out more about CAAA programs and member benefits should call (530) 752-0286 or visit http://www.alumni.ucdavis.edu. Staff and faculty can join the association at discounted rates.