Claremont McKenna College is not alone in its cyber space advances. Just as other colleges and universities are turning to the Web to better involve student and alumni bases, CMC, too, is exploring its Internet access to past and present students. One of the more immediately obvious undertakings was revamping CMC's alumni gateway, and the College's alumni office is working with other campus offices to make various presentations available online, including Athenaeum events. The Ath would coordinate online coverage with the College's Web team, and alumni relations would then publicize those designated events in its directory. Online discussions led by faculty, and interaction with the Teaching Resource Center are other proposed ways of expanding CMC's Web resources.

"We want alumni who can't come to campus to get the enrichment that people on campus do," says alumni director Elenor Taylor. Apparently CMCers like the recent face-lift given to the College's alumni directory. Alumni have been logging on in massive numbers to take advantage of newly added features. In its current state, the directory now offers alums the option of reviewing and updating their information online. The response is certainly encouraging. According to Taylor, more than 1,300 CMCers have logged on to send in address and e-mail changes, as well as other updated contact information. Also, the College has fielded more than 200 e-mails directly from CMCers wanting access codes to log into the site.

Other gateway developments include a photo gallery of available CMC products, and at some point Taylor envisions adding a 'shopping cart' function, enabling visitors to buy College gear directly through the Web site. Some of the current product line—which includes sweatshirts, hats, ties, polo shirts, picnic bags, and key chains—can be purchased at the student store, but many items are available exclusively by calling the toll-free number listed in the gateway.

It's a convenience that many alumni had requested. "They wanted pictures online, to see the products available for purchase," Taylor says. In the future, she hopes to work with other CMC offices and Huntley Bookstore, expanding the online shopping feature to serve parents, off-campus students, and perhaps even CMS sports fans. "We've heard a lot from people off-campus who want access to the gear, and the Internet seems like the most logical way to do it," she said.