What is the Voluntary Fee Pledge?

The SAA Voluntary Fee Pledge is a way for students who belong to the Student Alumni Association (SAA) while in school to become fully paid members of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) upon graduation.

The intent of the fee pledge is to eliminate the need for new graduates to pay a lump sum of money after graduation in order to join the alumni association. It also provides a way to connect young alumni to the campus for life. It gives current students full access to SAA’s extensive programming, including alumni networking events.

Students who sign up for the optional fee pledge will pay $35 per quarter for 12 quarters. This will cover the $400 expense of a CAAA life membership and the additional $20 will cover campus administrative services, processing fees and student support through the CAAA. Students who sign up will become members of SAA during their time on campus and automatically become life members of CAAA upon graduation. Students will only need to sign up once and the $35 charge will be added automatically to their student bills for the next 12 consecutive quarters (excluding summer sessions).

The History of the Fee Pledge

Members of SAA approached CAAA about creating a voluntary fee pledge that would allow students to belong to SAA while in school and become fully paid life members of CAAA upon graduation.

SAA is supported by CAAA and serves as a career networking and stewardship bridge between the student body of UC Davis and its alumni. The mission of SAA is to enable students to connect and network with alumni in their prospective fields. SAA also facilitates leadership development and philanthropic opportunities for members. SAA has grown to 1,000 members, making it the largest registered student group on campus.

SAA members receive numerous campus and local benefits during their time on campus. The cost of SAA programs and benefits far exceed the annual membership dues and is subsidized through program funds from CAAA.
SAA programs run at a net loss to CAAA, so in the past SAA annual dues were not counted towards membership in CAAA upon graduation. Recent graduates are offered a one-time buy-in of $400 for life membership or $25 for an annual membership within a year of leaving the campus. After the recent graduate window closes, annual memberships are $50 and a life membership is $700.

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