FAQs
I’ve graduated from SMU, so I’m automatically an alumnus. Why should I join the SMUAA as a member?
So long as you graduated from SMU, you are an SMU alumnus and part of the SMU alumni family! All SMU alumni enjoy the following features:
- A SMU Lifelong Email
- Invitations to Alumni Events
- Electronic Alerts to Updates, News and SMU Developments
- Communiqué – the online newsletter for SMU Alumni
- Annual SMU Stakeholder Report
- Issues of SMU Hub
Joining the SMUAA means you join an association that represents and promotes your interests. Being a part of the SMUAA allows you to actively remain in contact with SMU and get to know other alumni whom you may not have known in your University days.
What is the difference between the previous and current SMUAA membership schemes?
As of 4 July 2008, we have moved away with the dual-tier Gold and Silver membership schemes. Beginning from 2009, we have introduced a single-tier membership scheme
| Old Membership Scheme | New Membership Scheme |
|---|---|
| Dual-tiered system split into Gold and Silver members | Single-tiered system with separate add-ons for the following specific facilities:
|
How much is the current membership scheme?
SMUAA Membership – Annual fee of $50
The basic SMUAA Membership is available at an annual fee of $50. SMUAA members can enjoy the following:
- Discounts and priority when signing-up for SMUAA events and activities
- Access to the University Lounge in the City Campus
- Job opportunities
- Uni+Vantage discounts at over 100 merchants
- Walk-in access to the Li Ka-Shing Library and Wi-Fi on City Campus
- Eligibility to vote at Annual General Meetings and stand for elections to the SMUAA Executive Committee
Add-on Privileges
SMUAA members who wish to enjoy additional campus facilities are welcome to sign up for add-on privileges. Members must have signed up for the SMUAA basic membership before applying for these add-ons.
You may choose any combination of the following privileges:
| Access to and use of Gymnasium and Swimming Pool | $200 per year |
| Li Ka-Shing Library Membership | $150 per year |
| Preferential Parking Rates * | $60 per year |
* Please note that preferred parking rates refer to separate parking charges that will be incurred by the member, in addition to the annual fee of $60. Please also note that the preferred parking rates apply only to the Administration Building Carpark
Who is eligible to join this new membership scheme?
All SMU alumni (i.e. graduates awarded with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree(s) from SMU) are eligible to apply for the new SMUAA membership.
Can I enroll in this membership scheme if I did not graduate from SMU?
No. Currently, membership is only open to SMU alumni.
Does this new membership scheme extend to non-SMU alumni or my family members and friends?
No, at the moment, membership is only open to SMU alumni and we do not offer family or joint memberships. Plans are underway to introduce an associate category. This will be announced when it is ready.
I want to sign up for the new SMUAA membership. How do I do that?
Thank you for your interest in the SMUAA membership. Please click here to apply. Your membership application will be processed once we have received your photograph and payment.
Will I be issued an Association Membership Card?
Yes. Alumni enrolling in the new SMUAA membership card will receive an access card which will grant them access to and use of the new University Lounge. However, this access card will not allow you to access the City Campus facilities such as the gym / pool, library borrowing privileges and preferential car park rates unless you have signed up for these add-on privileges.
When will I receive my membership card(s)?
The normal processing time is 5 working days after we receive your completed membership application form, payment and a soft copy of your photograph.
However, at times of unusually high membership applications, such as during the transitioning phase between the previous and current membership schemes, as well as the period around Commencement, processing time can become significantly longer. We appreciate your understanding and patience for the delay during these periods.
Please call the Alumni Relations Office at 6828 0979 or email us at alumni@smu.edu.sg if you experience significant delays beyond 3 months in receiving your membership card.
How long is my new membership valid for?
Your SMUAA membership is renewable on an annual basis. For example, if you sign up on 1 February 2009, your membership expires one year later on 31 January 2010. You should renew your membership before 31 January 2010 in order to continue being a member. This system allows us to avoid the administrative hassle of having to pro-rate membership fees if you join halfway through the year.
Can I still apply for a Gold / Silver membership?
The previous Gold and Silver plans have been discontinued since 4 July 2008. This current membership scheme has replaced the Gold and Silver plans.
I was previously a Gold / Silver member before these memberships were discontinued. What will happen to my membership status?
Your Gold or Silver membership plans have expired. If you would like to continue enjoying SMUAA membership benefits, please sign up for the current plan.
How do I update my information?
You can update your contact details online via the SMU alumni website here. You will need your NRIC name, SMU email address and date of birth to login. Alternatively, you can call the Alumni Relations Office at 6828 0979 or email your update details to alumni@smu.edu.sg.
How were the fees for the current structure determined?
We strive to keep our membership fees competitive and affordable for our alumni. The current add-on fees have increased relative to the Gold membership fees, but we feel the pricing still reflects very good value. As at end-2008, the current add-on benefits were priced at significant discounts to market rates. A comparative study was done to determine a fair pricing for the current membership plan and add-on privileges.
Gym and Swimming Pool - Our cost for one year: $200
| Compared to: | Their cost for one year: | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Sports Council Gyms (This does not include use of swimming pool) | $310 | 35% |
| California Fitness | $720 ($60 per month, for 12 months. Minimum contractual commitment of 2 years) | 73% |
| Fitness First | $960 for one-year ($80 per month, for 12 months) | 79% |
Li Ka-Shing Library Membership - Our cost for one year: $150
| Compared to: | Cost for one year: | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Li Ka Shing Library individual membership rate | $300 | 50% |
Preferential Parking Rates - Our cost for one year: $60
| SMUAA Preferential rates | Public rates | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| $210 (preferential hourly parking charges) + $60 (add-on fee) = $270 | $480 (hourly parking) | 43% |
Assuming you park your car from 8am to 6pm on weekdays, 20 days a month
Click here for breakdown of hourly parking rates at the Administrative Building
| Preferential Rates (only applicable at Admin Bldg) |
Public rates |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri 0000hrs – 1759hrs $1.50 1st hour $1.00 for every subsequent hour 1800hrs – 2359hrs $2.00 per entry |
Mon-Fri 0000hrs – 1759hrs $2.40 per hour 1800hrs – 2359hrs $3.00 per entry |
| Sat, Sun and Public Holidays: 0000hrs – 0059hrs $1.50 st hour $1.00 for every subsequent hour 0600hrs – 2359hrs $2.00 per entry |
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays: 0000hrs – 0059hrs $2.40 per hour 0600hrs – 2359hrs $3.00 per entry |
Why was the previous membership structure amended?
The decision to move away from the dual-tier structure was made in consideration of several factors:
- Not all Gold members were paying for what they wanted. By bundling all the different facilities together, alumni could not choose which facilities they actually wanted. Some Gold members were over-paying relative to their actual usage.
- We received feedback that the different tiers were unnecessarily confusing to many students and many preferred to have a simplified structure, effectively a “pay for what you want” structure.
- Although we initially planned for a distinction between Silver and Gold plans, we realized that this was unnecessary in practice, as a large proportion of members ultimately chose to be Gold members.
As such, we decided to re-introduce a single membership where members only pay for what they actually want.
The SMUAA Exco works hard to organise events and activities that are valued and enjoyed by our alumni members. We hope that by engaging other alumni through our events and initiatives, our members will be able to deepen their bonds with the University and old friends, and forge new ones with alumni across schools and cohorts.
As the alumni body has grown, our activities have grown as well – both in terms of scale and numbers. Costs of organising each activity have also gone up correspondingly. The SMUAA is not a “for-profit” organisation and our events have typically been subsidized or priced at cost for alumni.
Our fee revision is in line with the increased associated costs of organizing each activity, and is necessary to fund our recurring and operating cashflows on a self-sustaining basis.
To aid the transition from the previous plan to the current membership scheme and to acknowledge the loyalty of our existing members, discounted membership rates were made available for all Gold / Silver members at the launch of the new SMUAA membership on 16 January 2009, which extended to 28 February 2009. We continue to value our alumni who remain affiliated with the University through the association membership.
Why was membership closed for such a long period in 2008? Why wasn’t I informed of the re-opening of membership applications in 2009?
As a result of the decision to amend our membership scheme, a clean technical cut-over was necessary to set-up the new membership scheme. The Alumni Relations Office and the SMUAA Exco jointly decided that it was best to have a moratorium period between the closure of the previous Gold and Silver plans and the start of the new membership structure
New applications for the Gold and Silver plans were officially discontinued as of 4 July 2008. Our website reflected the closure, stating that we would be announcing a new membership scheme in due course. This was preceded by emails sent to all alumni and 2008 graduating students informing them of this
The new membership scheme was re-launched on 16 January 2009, in conjunction at the new University Lounge. We held an informational session at on the new membership scheme which was well-attended by over 200 alumni. Thereafter, alumni were invited via email to sign-up for the new membership scheme.
We understand that many alumni who had wished to sign-up for membership during that period were unable to do so. Students who graduated in 2008 were particularly affected by this. As such, we offered all students who graduated in 2008 a free 1-year membership for a promotional period. This offer was valid until 28 February 2009
What should I do if I have lost my SMUAA membership card?
If you have lost your SMUAA membership card, please report the loss immediately to the police. You will need to file a police report to prevent unauthorized use of your access card. Thereafter, please inform the staff at the Alumni Relations office (Tel: 68280797, Fax: 68280799, Email: alumni@smu.edu.sg). SMUAA membership cards can be replaced at an administrative fee (non-refundable) of S$35.