A new way to make the connection

The University has launched its newest service to help alumni keep in touch with their fellow Blue Hens and their alma mater—UDconnection, a social networking site just for Delaware alumni.

Sponsored by the UD Alumni Association, this online community allows alumni to make connections with one another, get in touch with old friends and classmates, keep up with the news, network with other alums and generally stay involved, no matter where they live or travel.

At the daylong UD Forum on campus in May, hundreds of alumni took advantage of the brand-new service and registered on the spot to be part of the online community. Many more have signed up in the weeks since.

UDconnection allows each alum the opportunity to update contact information and control what is displayed in the directory on his or her personal profile page. Alumni can also view class notes and photos from other alums and send e-mails to old friends and classmates using blind e-mail, which does not reveal others’ e-mail addresses. This is all done through a password-protected site only for Blue Hens.

The service is just the latest among numerous ways available for alumni to stay connected. These include the Messenger magazine, the UDaily for Alumni e-newsletter, alumni clubs that meet around the country and reunion events that are held on campus each year for various class years and affinity groups.
For more information about registering for the online community, visit [www.UDconnection.com], or check out the following frequently asked questions.

Q: What information will be posted in UDconnection.com?

The community will contain information such as names, class years, college and degrees, home and business contact information, any UD sports and student activities in which alums were involved while students, campus housing information and any committees the alum has served on. Only business phone numbers will be displayed unless a registered user chooses to share more information.

Q: What if I don’t want my information to be shared with others?

The community allows you the opportunity to hide or display whatever information and fields you choose. You must register with the community and hide or unhide the fields you choose yourself. You also have the option to completely hide your record via the Online Directory Listing so that other alums will not be able to find you when searching. All changes are applied real-time and will be immediately reflected in the Online Directory.

Q: How will I be able to find my friends?

UDconnection.com has two search options, a simple search and an advanced search. You can search by terms as simple as last name and class year and more advanced items such as college, city, state, company name, industry, sport, student activity and campus housing.

Q: How will I be able to contact my friends?

The community allows each registered user the option to hide or display any or all information. If someone chooses to hide his or her e-mail address, you will still be able to contact that person through blind e-mail. In that case, the community sends the e-mail on your behalf and leaves it up to your friend to contact you.

Q: How do I update my online directory information?

Once you have registered, go to the Online Directory area and choose the “View/Update Your Online Directory Listing” option. This will bring you to your profile. Click on the “Click to Update” button in the appropriate section. This will bring you into “update mode.” Make the necessary changes in the update boxes, and then click on “Update” for the changes to take effect. An “update successful” message will appear in red, informing you of the change. If a “Click to Update” button is not present, it means none of the information in that area may be changed through the site. To change or add information such as housing, sports, student activities and committees, send an e-mail to [AlumNet@udel.edu].

Q: How secure is my information? Who is it released to?

The online directory is a secure, members-only feature and can be accessed only by other eligible individuals (i.e. alumni, graduating seniors, members) who have registered to use it. It is not made public. In addition, the information resides on a secure server.

Q: Will I be able to post photos with my class notes?

Yes, photos can be included in class notes subject to approval of the University. You can also post a photo as part of your directory listing.

Q: Whom do I contact for help?

Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at [AlumNet@udel.edu] or (302) 831-2341 during normal business hours Monday through Friday.