Volunteering to discover
The 20th century writer Zora Neale Hurston, widely known for her wit, once defined scientific research as “poking and prying with a purpose.” Alliterative and pithy as that quip may be, we certainly saw during 2020 how relevant scientific research endeavors are and may merely wonder at the inestimable value of having volunteers willing to be research participants.
In recent months, the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has offered a number of extraordinary opportunities for retirees to participate in one-time or on-going medical studies at the University. These include:
Spinal Cord Injury Study, a two-part study utilizing both injured and healthy participants (conducted by the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine)
Exergame Study to Prevent Alzheimer’s, with state-of-the-art exercise equipment provided (School of Nursing)
Chronic Lower Back Pain Study (Rehabilitation Medicine)
Body Awareness Study (Rehabilitation Medicine)
Research on Aging (Medical School)
COVID-19 research (Division of Infectious Diseases).
The studies mentioned here all take place virtually—online via Zoom, with electronic surveys, and/or phone and video interviews. Participants use their home computers or tablets. When minimal in-person assessments are required, COVID-19 precautions are strictly applied. Some studies provide a small stipend.
As this writer learned by joining the Body Awareness Study, being involved in research does indeed have “purpose,” which includes the motivational bonus of new experience and self-discovery for the volunteer.
To learn more about research opportunities at the University, please contact URVC by email at [email protected] or call 612-625-8016.
—Marva Sullivan, URVC communications
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.
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.
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.
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: