Retiree focus group at the Campus Club
Fri, Dec 5, 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
Jane Kirtley, JD, will be the guest speaker for UMRA’s luncheon forum on Tuesday, November 18. She will discuss challenges to preserving academic freedom and independent speech during the Trump Administration, and how institutions should respond to the unprecedented attacks on their independence.
Cathy Lee Gierke will present photos and talk about her cruise on the Rhine river, Italian Switzerland, Lake Como and Iceland -- and the history, culture and geology along the way.
Librarian Naomi Skulan and Associate Professor Kevin Whalen will present research on the Sacred Heart School for Indians and Morris Industrial School for Indians.
Book Club I will discuss An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Please join Michael Luxenberg on Monday, December 1, for a hike that is approximately 5 miles in length at an average pace of roughly 18–20 minutes per mile for our second hike this fall in the beautiful Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington.
Everyone's tax situation is different. Consult with a tax professional to come up with a financial plan well before year end.
There are a few fun events coming up at the Campus Club that are open to everyone. See these events on the Campus Club Facebook and Instagram.
The customary November 4th Friday is the Thanksgiving weekend. Unless otherwise noted, we will meet Friday, December 5th.
The Campus Club in Minneapolis is inviting UMRA members to participate in focus group discussions this fall, to provide insight on the U of M retiree experience and generate ideas about how the Campus Club can serve our retiree community.
When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut.
Hey UMRA Gopher fans! Here’s a great opportunity to join your UMRA friends to cheer for the Gopher Women’s Hockey team when they face off against the St. Thomas Tommies in Ridder Arena.
The theme for December is historical family photos.
There are a few fun events coming up at the Campus Club that are open to everyone. See these events on the Campus Club Facebook and Instagram.
Meeting to plan books for next year.
The theme for January is great MN views.
When you are of Icelandic descent you can trace your ancestors back to around 1200 and sometimes further.
Bleak House by Charles Dickens.
Here’s another great opportunity to buy discounted tickets and join your UMRA friends to cheer for the Gophers when the Women’s Basketball team hosts the Purdue Boilermakers at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on February 1.
UMRA’s special event for this winter will again be a celebration of brighter days and the approaching end of winter. We’ll have food, fellowship, and music provided by Urban Sound, one of the University’s premier student a cappella ensembles.