Emeritus faculty, staff can support programs for international students and scholars
As U retirees we have much to offer...are you holding it in reserve for just the right opportunity? Can this be it?
The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will be greeting 1,800 new international students, undergrad and graduate, to the University in September. You have likely received Vice President Meredith McQuaid’s statement about the services the University provides to these students, and scholars who will visit the University during the year.
In what ways can we support the ISSS programs and satisfy our own desires to offer our capacities to international students? Here are two ISSS programs for your consideration:
Culture Corps is a program for international students to develop projects and initiatives to bring global perspectives to the U of M campus. Would you volunteer to serve as a mentor/advisor for such projects?
Cross-Cultural Discussion Groups is a program that gathers small groups of international students and scholars in an intimate environment to explore their cross-cultural experiences and perspectives. Would you participate in a group, or offer to hold it in your home?
I strongly welcome any further suggestions you may have. Mentoring students in your discipline, perhaps? I will be meeting with ISSS Assistant Dean Kappler in September to discuss options that can use retirees’ assistance.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) already has projects for improving English conversation in one-on-one meetings with international TAs, and group meetings as well. We need more facilitators for these projects. Contact URVC at [email protected] to explore your interests.
— Alan L. Kagan, Prof. Emeritus, Ethnomusicology
Project Director, University Retirees Volunteer Center
News
The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
“I convinced myself I could handle this problem without support groups or doing additional research, but that’s only because I didn’t want to make it any more real than it already was. Denial comes in many forms, and one is to avoid thinking about the problem any more than need be.” —Alice A. Larson
Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has welcomed two new members with valuable skills and experience to the URVC Leadership Council: Lynn Slifer and Jeanne Jacobson.
The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: