Focus group sessions at the Campus Club
Fri, Sep 26, 2025, 2 - 3:30pm
During our careers at the U of M, many of us found that the Campus Club in Minneapolis provided a distinctive and positive environment to meet with colleagues, conduct important business, and celebrate accomplishments.
The Campus Club still wants to serve our community. And because of that, it is inviting UMRA members to participate in focus group discussions this fall to provide insight on the U of M retiree experience. The sessions are intended to generate ideas about how the Campus Club can provide a welcoming environment for informal or formal retiree gatherings, such as interest group meetings and happy hours.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has recruited several UMRA volunteers to assist Campus Club staff in the discussions. Coffee and soda will be provided, and the conversations will be held in the relaxed atmosphere of the bar, in the couch seating section.
In the process of learning more about the Campus Club and how it can serve retirees, participants in these focus groups will have the opportunity to get to know some fellow UMRA members.
The sessions will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on four Fridays: September 26, October 17, November 7, and December 5.
At these times, parking is usually not difficult in the East River Road and Weisman Art Museum parking garages. Parking vouchers will be provided by URVC to cover any charges remaining after you use your UMRA parking discount code.
Upcoming Events
Craig Moody’s Swedish ancestors were among the 60,000 Swedes who chose to emigrate to the U.S. between 1868 and 1871, because of the poor economic conditions in their homeland. He has spent the last nine years investigating their history.
Back problems as we age and how we can treat them will be the discussion topic for the UMRA Breakfast meeting on Thursday, May 14. Paul Schanfield, MD, will be our expert resource person. He is a retired neurologist, a member of UMRA, and has personal experience with back surgery.
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another by Ainissa Ramirez when it meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
Peter Moe, retired University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Director and UMRA member, will lead this hike.
Executive Vice President and Provost Gretchen Ritter will discuss her role and offer reflections on her first year at the University of Minnesota as the featured speaker for the UMRA Luncheon Forum on May 19 at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. The forum will be preceded by UMRA’s 2026 Annual Meeting.
"Third Wednesdays in the West Wing" is a pilot program for spring 2026.
A 1987 classic, cited as the gold standard of modern legal thrillers.
Bev leads at Hyland Lake Park Reserve.
Connect, explore new ideas for what it means to live and age well, and celebrate a community of continuous learning at the fifth annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis on Monday, June 8.
Abandoned and discarded is the theme for the UMRA Photo Club meeting in June. Newcomers are welcome.
Michael leads this hike at Afton State Park.
We will gather in the Waterfall Room for an in-person, summer social and luncheon for UMRA members and guests on June 24th. Our event will include social time; a plated, seated lunch; and the always popular Summer Social Trivia Game with quizmasters Dave Dorman and Mark Jenson.
Kayaking at Lake Bde Maka Ska.
Bev leads the Nokomis walk to Minnehaha Falls.