On Your Behalf

UMRA Vision:

We envision University retirees vigorously working together to help members attain optimum satisfaction in their retirement years and to continue to advance knowledge. (The University of Minnesota Vision, as of May 2006, was to “Improve the human condition through the advancement of knowledge.)

UMRA Mission:

The mission of this association shall be to promote, protect, support and advocate for the interests, rights, needs and welfare of persons who retire from the University of Minnesota.

UMRA Goals:

•  TO PROVIDE all retirees broad intellectual stimulation as well as social and recreational services;

•  TO FACILITATE opportunities for voluntary service to the University and community;

•  TO OVERSEE AND ASSIST in the ongoing provision of benefits affecting the health and wellness of retirees;

•  TO PROMOTE the establishment of a University Retiree's Center;

•  TO CONTRIBUTE to the development and welfare of the University and its mission and goals.

ACTIONS TAKEN

On this page the umra Board provideS information on recent actions taken on behalf of UMRA members, and on actions under consideration. As always, your comments and advice are most welcome. Send any comments to: umra@umn.edu.

ARTICLES LISTED BELOW:

1. THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF UNIVERSITY EMERITI
2. NEW DISCOUNT PROGRAMS FOR UMRA MEMBERS--Book Store, Intercollegiate Athletics, Parking
3. UNIVERSITY/ NATIONAL CAR RENTAL CONTRACT AVAILABLE FOR ALL UNIVERSITY RETIREES
4. DEPARTMENT OF RECREATIONAL SPORTS

THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF UNIVERSITY EMERITI

On April 16, 1998 , the University Senate passed a Resolution titled Faculty Retirees' Bill of Rights. Noting that there were then no University policies dealing with the “status, rights, privileges and services” of faculty retirees aside from pension and health plans, the Resolution observed that many emeriti wished to retain a connection with the University by volunteering or contracting their services, continuing their research, or working with students, affirmed that such continuing ties brought substantial benefits to retirees and University alike, and urged that policies be developed for dealing with such activities.

The Resolution specified the rights and privileges of retired faculty that the University should guarantee, as well as the services and benefits that home departments should be encouraged to provide. The full text of the Senate Resolution is available via the Senate website at www1.umn.edu/usenate/scfa/billofrights, or by calling the Senate office at 612-625-9369.

Following the Senate action, the Board of Regents, on July 14, 2000 , approved a Policy on Faculty Emeriti, superceding an earlier and much briefer policy statement of January 9, 1969 . The Regents' 2000 Policy defined the term Faculty Emeritus, explained to whom it should be awarded, and outlined in general terms the Privileges and Services provided by the University and its academic units to which faculty emeriti can lay claim. Copies of the Regents policy are available at www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/humanresources/FacultyEmeriti.pdf, or by calling the Regents office. At about the same time, a set of Administrative Procedures for the Regents Policy on Faculty Emeriti were also adopted.

Several years later, in the fall of 2004, the Senate and Administration approved a new Conflict Resolution Process for faculty, academic professionals and administrators, civil service staff, and student workers. The General Rules For Formal Processes devised for the conflict resolution program describe recourse available, and not available, to retirees as well as to regular University employees. The text describing the Conflict Resolution Process can be accessed at www1.umn.edu/ugo/cr_policy.pdf.

Concerned that these important documents and the information they contain relating to the rights and privileges of retired faculty may have slipped from the attention of faculty and administrators, the UMRA Board is mounting an effort to make them more widely known within the University community and to inquire about their implementation. This news item is part of that effort, as will be communications with college deans' offices. Directing that effort, is a working group of Board and other association members. Its membership will be announced shortly. Anyone having information about the several documents at issue, or having personal experience relevant to their content, is invited to contact one of the association officers or Board members.

Attention to the existing Senate Resolution and Regents Policy concerning faculty rights has also raised the question of whether comparable and appropriate policies should also be created for Civil Service and P&A retirees. Recent conversations with the Executive Boards of the Civil Service Committee and the Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators, indicate support for the idea among those UMRA constituencies. Given the fact that P&A and Civil Service representatives will soon join the University Senate, it may be an appropriate time for such consideration. The new UMRA working group will make recommendations concerning the association's position on this question as well. Once again, the Board welcomes comments and advice.

NEW DISCOUNT PROGRAMS FOR UMRA MEMBERS NOW IN PLACE

Book Store--The Board has negotiated three discount programs for the benefit of UMRA members. One is in place at the University Bookstores in Coffman Union and the St. Paul Student Center. Discounts of 10% are available to all UMRA members on most in-store merchandise. The only excluded items are textbooks assigned for specific classes, electronics, medical reference books, academic caps and gowns, and college rings. Discounts may not be combined with other discount programs or Bookstore offers, and do not apply to special orders. In the near future, UMRA discounts will also be available on orders from the Bookstore website. To take advantage of the program, individuals should identify themselves as an active UMRA member, or spouse sharing a joint membership, by showing their UMRA Membership Card at the cash register. Cashiers may also check names against the current UMRA membership list for eligibility.

Intercollegiate Athletics--The Board has also negotiated ticket price reductions with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. UMRA members can now claim discounts of up to 30 percent off regular prices on individual game tickets to men's and women's intercollegiate athletic events, and off regular season ticket rates for some sports. The only sport not included in the discount program is men's hockey. Individuals seeking the discount should identify themselves as UMRA members by showing their Membership Card at ticket counters in Mariucci Arena or individual sport venues.

Parking--In recent months, the UMRA Board has negotiated a special discount program for association members with Parking Services. UMRA members may claim unlimited, single day parking for $5.00 at any of the three following facilities: the Gortner Avenue Ramp on the St. Paul Campus, the East River Road Garage on the East Bank Campus in Minneapolis , and Lot 86 next to the Law School on the West Bank . The discounted rate will be available at any time of day, on any day of the week. The single exception is if the facility is accommodating a special event. This includes the Gortner Ramp during State Fair time. Again, to claim the discount UMRA members should show their Membership Card to the ramp attendant while exiting.

As a condition of these discount programs, the Board has agreed that Membership Cards will not be "loaned" to friends or other family members for their use. Success of the programs requires that members honor this restriction. Individuals having questions about the discount programs should contact John Howe via email ( howex002@umn.edu ) or by phone at 651-645-2584.

UNIVERSITY/ NATIONAL CAR RENTAL CONTRACT AVAILABLE FOR ALL UNIVERSITY RETIREES

Many university colleagues may be aware that they can continue to take advantage of the university's National Car Rental discount contract for business and personal travel, whether in the United States or abroad, following retirement. Others, however, may not know of the program. Recent conversations between UMRA and the Purchasing Services Department have confirmed that faculty, P&A, and civil service employees who have retired from the University are eligible for this rental discount program. Contact your former department or office for the relevant information, including the contract number.

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATIONAL SPORTS

For several years, the Department of Recreational Sports has offered significant discounts in their activity fee for all University retirees. UMRA members were instrumental in negotiation those discounts. For information, call the Recreational Sports Membership and Marketing Office at 612-626-0553