During the fall semester, the Campus Club of the University of Minnesota hosted a series of open discussion sessions with UMRA members regarding how it could better serve the retiree community. Those discussions, which involved about 20 UMRA faculty and staff retirees, led to a program idea: “Campus Conversations.”
The Dale Shephard Room on the fourth floor of the Campus Club would be made available at no charge to UMRA to host occasional late afternoon discussions with campus leaders—deans, center directors, department heads, for example—regarding their current situations and thoughts about the future.
Informal conversations, not formal presentations, would allow UMRA members a chance to interact with those who are leaders in our campus community and get updated on areas where they retain deep interest. Limited to about 40 members, participants could grab a beverage and enjoy light snacks from the Campus Club Bar, and engage in conversations about parts of the University that have been important to our careers.
Along with Ann Holt and Mollie White from the Campus Club, UMRA members Deb Cran, Dave Golden, Michael Hancher, Sally Kohlstedt, Peggy Mann Rinehart, and Jerry Rinehart helped frame this idea. The UMRA Board will be reviewing the idea when it meets in the New Year, and we know the members of the board would appreciate hearing your thoughts. Please email your comments to Jerry Rinehart.