With fourteen sites in New England and Brussels, and at several military bases, plus more than 15,000 graduates, Metropolitan College is constantly challenged to maintain connections. For MET students-many of whom only attend part-time-building ties in such a sizeable setting can be difficult.

Metropolitan College Dean Jay Halfond. Photo by Carmen DeJesus

Now a Dean's Advisory Board, established a year ago, is helping Dean Jay Halfond strengthen bonds within the MET community as well as offering advice and aid for other undertakings. Members wanted to join to "reconnect and give back to their alma mater," Halfond says. "The board members have told me that MET was a positive and pivotal experience at key junctures in their lives. And each seemed to have a similar story about the importance of MET and a similar wish to reaffiliate with Boston University."

Because the forty-three members live in eleven states and four countries, gathering the board in its entirety may be impossible. So far, meetings have been held in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., and Halfond has visited several members individually. Still, the Advisory Board fosters a sense of community among BU alums and colleagues who appreciate the value of their MET experiences.

Members focus on achieving MET's paramount objectives-improving the college's academic offerings, establishing corporate and industry relationships, developing international ties, and fundraising. By informing the dean of business and economic trends, members help Halfond keep the college's curriculum current. Some members have given guest lectures in MET classes, speaking in their areas of expertise. They strengthen MET's link to the business world by connecting students with industry executives and opening their work sites for tours. The board's association with MET brings attention to the college, increasing its visibility nationally and internationally. An integral part of members' involvement is developing and implementing fundraising campaigns to ensure MET receives the financial backing it needs to push forward.

All of the original board members have contributed to funds benefiting MET, with gifts and pledges totaling $200,000-a testament to the board's eagerness to support the college. Members Jeffrey Arsenault (MET'85), Michael McCabe (MET'87), and Steven Garfinkle (MET'72) have pledged particularly significant gifts.

Garfinkle says he's always had "an affinity for the University." Of his educational experiences (he received an undergraduate degree and an M.B.A. from other colleges), earning a Master of Liberal Studies at BU was "the most fruitful and the most rewarding." Garfinkle's involvement as a board member allows him to help connect other alumni by fostering a sense of community. He says, "I believe in what the University is trying to do."