Forum
All Forum articles are collected here.
What is generative AI and is it a good thing or a bad thing?Event Date:Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has attracted substantial debate recently because it can be used in many contexts, including educational settings to do things such as answer exam questions and write papers. But what is generative AI? And how can we know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing? Law School Professor Daniel Schwarcz will enlighten us during UMRA’s Luncheon Forum on April 23. More... |
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Making the foreign—and the local—less foreignEvent Date:St. Paul-based journalist Fred de Sam Lazaro has reported from 70 countries focusing on the work of change agents to address the consequences of poverty. His remarkable perspective draws us closer to the people he meets and the challenges they confront. Join us to learn why and how he uses storytelling to enhance understanding of today’s pressing global issues. More... |
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A preview of 2024 Minnesota legislative politicsEvent Date:Melissa Hortman, speaker of the Minnesota House and a 1995 graduate cum laude of the U of M Law School, will be the guest speaker for UMRA’s February 27 Forum. She will help us understand the 2024 legislative session and efforts at bipartisan cooperation. More... |
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Planning for the (un)expected endEvent Date:Pat Miles, former TV news anchor and journalist, lost her husband suddenly and found the financial and legal challenges to be overwhelming during her time of grief. She wrote a book about her experience, Before All Is Said and Done, incorporating wisdom from other unexpected widows, and will share her learnings for the first UMRA Forum of the New Year. More... |
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Beyond the classroom, the student experience todayEvent Date:How are today’s students and their experiences different from when we went to college? Beyond grades, what are the greatest challenges they face to completing their degrees? Guest speakers Calvin Phillips and Maggie Towle from the U of M Office of Student Affairs will share their insights and the latest research on student life today for UMRA’s November forum. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation. More... |
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The alarming movement in the U.S. to ban booksEvent Date:To help us understand the growing movement in the U.S. to ban books, especially children’s literature, and the critical role of libraries to protect intellectual freedom, UMRA will welcome U of M Librarian Lisa Von Drasek (pictured) and Rochester Public Librarian Kimberly Edson as the guest speakers for our October luncheon forum at Midland Hills. More... |
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The impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent 'blockbuster’ case decisionsEvent Date:The U.S. Supreme Court has issued several contentious decisions over its past two terms, and the court’s conservative majority has left an indelible mark on American jurisprudence. Professor Jill Hasday, the guest speaker for UMRA’s September luncheon forum, will discuss the meaning and impact of what’s happened. More... |
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Mississippi River Cruise Aboard the Minneapolis QueenEvent Date: -Enjoy the golden close of summer on an evening cruise on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis with UMRA friends and colleagues. The cruise fee includes a taco bar, and there will be a full service cash bar available on the boat. More... |
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The future of intercollegiate athletics at the U of MEvent Date:Intercollegiate athletics is undergoing revolutionary changes that may alter the industry’s relationship to higher education. To help us understand the impact of the changes at the U of M, our May forum will feature Director of Athletics Mark Coyle and Jeremiah Carter, senior associate athletic director for name, image, likeness (NIL) policy and risk management. More... |
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UMRA welcomes Star Tribune Editorial Page Editor Scott Gillespie to April luncheon forumEvent Date:UMRA members will have a rare opportunity to hear from and ask questions of one of the major thought leaders in Minnesota when Star Tribune Editorial Page Editor Scott Gillespie joins us for our April 25 luncheon forum at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. More... |
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UMRA welcomes U of M Budget Director Julie Tonneson to March luncheon forumEvent Date:UMRA is pleased to welcome U of M Budget Director Julie Tonneson as the guest speaker for our first in-person forum of the new year, which will be held in a new venue for UMRA: Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. She will speak about the U's funding request for the next two years and goals for obtaining funds from the state surpluses. More... |
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The history and future of elections and democracy in MinnesotaEvent Date:If you are interested in the history and future of elections and democracy in Minnesota, then UMRA’s February 2023 Forum is a “don’t miss” event. Our featured guest will be Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. More... |
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Special Forum: A merger, a medical school, and health care in MinnesotaEvent Date:Medical School Dean Jakub Tolar will be the guest speaker for a special UMRA forum on February 14 via Zoom. He will address the proposed merger between Fairview Health Services (current owner of the University’s hospitals and clinics) and South Dakota-based Sanford Health, as well as the U’s recently announced MPact Health Care Innovation project. More... |
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What happened November 8? Understanding the 2022 midterm electionsEvent Date:With U.S. Senate and House races across the country, as well as heated governor and state executive races, there will be a lot to unpack following the midterm elections. Guest speaker Kathryn Pearson, Ph.D., a rock star among UMRA presenters for her illuminating election analyses, will help us make sense of it all. Please note the early date; luncheon reservations and prepayment are due November 5. More... |
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New Americans in MinnesotaEvent Date:Jane Graupman, executive director of the International Institute of Minnesota, is a tireless advocate for new Americans in our community. As the featured speaker for our September Forum, she will provide a primer on their contributions and the challenges they face. More... |
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