I came across this rather interesting definition by Keele University of “alumni” which includes graduates, students who did not graduate but completed one semester, and former staff:

“Alumni is a Latin word derived from the verb alere, which means ‘to bring up or to nourish’. The term was used to indicate “one who is nourished by a person who is not a natural parent.” The word also referred to abandoned children, who were sheltered and raised by foster parents. Therefore, alumni are students who have been intellectually nourished at an educational institution outside their usual family circle. In the 17th century the term began to be applied to graduates of a school, college etc. . A male is correctly an alumnus, a female is an alumna and in the plural they can be alumni (males or mixed genders) or alumnae (females).

At Keele, we use the term ‘alumni” to include a wider group including graduates, honorary graduates, staff and students who completed at least one semester of study at Keele – including international and exchange students…… We prefer to use the term alumni instead of graduates, “old boys” or “old girls”, or former students because not all who have been nourished by Keele are graduates and some alumni are former members of staff…. so alumni is the most inclusive term we could find!”

I think we should take the same view, and make it clear on our school alumni blogs. What do you think?