I recently received this alumni request from the University of Arizona. They would like me to phone a toll free number immediately to update my alumni information. The up-to-date information is critical in assembling their upcoming alumni directory.
I have several issues with this request.
1. I know I have supplied my contact information in the past, so why don't they save me some time and show me the information they have on file? That way I could at least know immediately whether or not I need to make the call.
2. What is the benefit for me? It says this will allow UofA alumni to be connected to the University and each other....but really? How is that? I seem to remember the University charging some ridiculous fee if you want a hard copy version of the directory. Let me repeat, hard copy. Why couldn't they also offer a soft copy version of the directory? Does anyone really buy the hard copy? It appears I'm supposed to provide my very private contact information for very little return.
3. In collaboration with #1 above, if they are using e-mail as the medium to contact people, why couldn't they also use the same medium to confirm your contact details? How hard would it be to display the person's contact details they have on file and ask whether this information is correct? If yes, great. If no, provide a feedback mechanism.
I can almost guarantee that their response rate to this request is going to be very low. In today's day and age of the Internet, I don't feel like picking up the phone to provide my contact details to be published in a directory I will never see. Plus, honestly if I did buy the directory, I would never remember to use it. If I wanted to contact other UofA alumni for networking purposes, I would definitely start with my Facebook and LinkedIn contacts.
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