About the Alumni Association
- About Us
- Our Mission
- History
- Programs
Founded in 1874 as the Associate Alumni of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, the University of Massachusetts Amherst Alumni Association, Inc. became incorporated in 1919, and is registered as a non-profit corporation under Chapter 180 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth. Copies of the by-laws of the Corporation are on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The Corporation gained IRS tax-exempt status in 1949. At its Annual Meeting in 1983, the membership changed the name of the Corporation from Associate Alumni of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Inc. to University of Massachusetts Amherst Alumni Association, Inc. In April of 1984, the Internal Revenue Service informed the Corporation that it had been granted 501(c)(3) status as an educational non-profit organization.
In June 1994, members approved a dues-based membership, intended to help the Alumni Association carry out its mission statement and serve its members.
In May 2010, members approved a membership restructure that discontinued the dues requirement to be a member of the Association, thereby becoming more inclusive. The Association relies on alumni membership investments to sustain its efforts to continue to provide services and programs to both alumni and students.
A Board of Directors comprised of 31 alumni volunteers, 1 faculty or staff appointment, and 2 student appointments governs the Association. Support of the Board of Directors is provided by Association staff who oversee alumni member services, alumni communications and marketing, alumni clubs and programs, and career, student, and volunteer programs, and maintain their place of business in Memorial Hall at the UMass Amherst campus.