Please accept this letter concerning the elimination of the position of Director of Alumni Relations/Executive Director of the ISU Alumni Association. My wife and I are both proud alumni of Idaho State University and care deeply for our alma mater.

As a former Alumni Association Director and past president, I believe I have firsthand knowledge of the effort put forth by the Executive Director. This position is one that is actually the "guiding hand" for the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

The Alumni Board of Directors is made up of hard-working individuals, some may be retired and others may have full-time employment. They are elected to terms and serve willingly.

But those positions are filled by people who serve voluntarily and are then released from their duties. The Director of Alumni Relations is the person who keeps the Alumni Association on course in the big picture.

By eliminating this position, Idaho State University is publicly showing its lack of knowledge in regards to the value of the various roles the alumni play in the success of the university.

These roles include leadership in university projects as they arise, sending correspondence to state legislators when asked, helping with fundraising efforts that the university places great value upon and letter-writing campaigns to clarify university positions in newspapers and social media.

These projects do not "just happen." The Director of Alumni Relations "rallies the troops" and leads these types of efforts.

There may be justification at Idaho State University for the restructuring of expenses. In fact, it may be long overdue. However elimination of a position that oversees relations with over 70,000 plus alumni is not the spot where the university should be looking.

There should be a focus on non-teaching administrative positions that are either being duplicated or currently filled by personnel who are underperforming.

We believe that the elimination of this position goes totally against the concept that a strong alumni base is vital to the growth and sustainability of a university. A university's value should be more than simply a location to receive a diploma.

This job elimination reflects a shortsightedness in the administration that erodes confidence in the leadership of Idaho State University.

My wife and I both ask that the department involved in this decision rethink the ramifications of it and retain this position for the sake of the university, the alumni base and the future success of Idaho State University.

Jay and Carol Colonel,

Pocatello