Hoping to drive up its recruitment numbers, The University of Memphis Alumni Association is creating a new student organization on campus this semester.
The alumni are still working on the details of the Student Alumni Association but have already partnered with more than 50 local businesses - Verizon, AT&T and Target, to name a few - to offer students hefty discounts.
The organization is for students who are still enrolled at The U of M.
Members of the SAA will be able to use their membership card to receive a 20 percent discount on used textbooks and merchandise and a 10 percent discount on new textbooks from the Tiger Bookstore.
The SAA will also host watch parties, tailgates and social events for members, as well as an alumni-mentorship program.
Alex Shipman is responsible for the special projects of the Alumni & Constituent Relations committee of the U of M Alumni Association.
"The aim of the project is to make the Student Alumni Association one of the top organizations on campus that will provide various programming and services to the student body," Shipman said.
The SAA will advocate the ideas of The University, advancing its welfare and fostering life-long relationships with the institution, Shipman said. Besides the annual $20 fee, Shipman said that being a member of the SAA will not require much, unless the potential member wishes to serve on the group's executive board.
Wade Curtis, a senior marketing management major, said the group would allow students to become active in the Alumni Association before graduating.
"Not only will they reap the benefits of the organization now, but also later they will be more likely to be a part of the actual Alumni Association," he said.
Current students can register with the SAA in the Alumni Center at 635 Normal St., south of campus, and receive a temporary membership card until the organization is launched.
The Alumni Center is open to accept and print temporary cards, which can be used for discounts, Monday through Friday until 4:30.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!