NEWS

Supporting the U at the Legislature

UMRA’s mission is, in part, that of advocating for the University. The University is making a major request to the Minnesota Legislature in the 2024 session. The request includes funds for facility upgrades and repairs, core mission support, and for the future of academic health. UMRA’s advocacy started with a number of our members attending U of M Day at the Capitol on February 22.

UMRA can continue showing its support for the Board of Regents’ legislative agenda in a number of ways. The first is familiarizing one’s self with that agenda. It consists of three priorities: Capital Request (bonding), Budget Request, and an Academic Health Request. These are three critical requests for the University.

Advocacy by UMRA members can be important in the granting of these requests, and there are several ways to become a UMN advocate and show that support to your elected officials, including emails, phone calls, visits to your elected representatives, and rallies coordinated by the U.  

In this process, it is also important to stay abreast of the University’s guidance and focus by visiting the Government and Community Relations website

As a closing thought, a new University president will soon be upon us. It is important that both the current interim and the new president receive UMRA support in leading the U with the Board of Regents.

—Frank B. Cerra, MD, UMRA government relations liaison and past president 


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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.

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“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

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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!

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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:

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