Newsletters

October 2008

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From our President's Desk

I have many times heard retirees comment they are so busy that they don’t know how they ever had time to work. I am now experiencing that feeling first-hand. Too many opportunities and so little time! Speaking of opportunities, there are several coming up that I would like to call to your attention.

The breakfast programs chaired by John Parker are off to a good start. (See the article updating this activity on page 6 of this newsletter.)

The Membership Committee co-chaired by Roger Mitchell and Ernest Hilderbrand are continuing the aggressive membership drive that was begun last year.They ask for your help in recruiting a friend or former colleague to become a member of MURA.

The Fall Information meeting will be on Saturday, November 15 in the Jesse Wrench Auditorium at the Memorial Student Union, a change in location from previous years. (See the sidebar calendar on this page.)

Our annual Holiday Luncheon will be on Saturday, December 13 in the Stotler Lounge at the Memorial Union, also a change of location. (Please see the reservation form on page 7 of this newsletter.)

The 2008 Heart of Missouri United Way Campaign is under way. MU has always played a big part in the success of this worthwhile fund raising endeavor. Those of you living in the Columbia area should have already received a packet with information about the campaign and how you can contribute.I know that, given the current uncertainties in the economy, it is often hard to consider another donation, but please remember that there are many very needy families and individuals in our community who have far less than most of us do. This is one of the best ways we can help a large number of people.If you have not sent in your pledge card, please do so today.Every gift, no matter the amount, helps so many people.

In closing, I am sure that you hardly need a reminder of the upcoming national election on November 4. While I would not presume to tell you how to vote, the important thing is that you go to the polls and exercise your right to cast your ballot as you see fit. It is important that we all vote. Every single vote counts!

I hope to see you on November 15 at the Informational meeting.

Kee W. Groshong

UM benefits news

by Mike Paden

As you know, 2009 will soon be here. With that in mind, I want to, briefly, provide you with 2009 updates related to UM benefits in which you participate as retirees. Formal announcement with specific details of all changes will be sent by UM Faculty and Staff Benefits to each of you in early to mid October.

Premiums for those enrolled in the UM Choice Health Care program will increase by 3% for 2009.

Premiums for Medicare eligible retirees enrolled in the UM Catastrophic Medical Program will increase by 5%.

Premiums for those enrolled in the Retiree Indemnity Medical Program and who retired prior to 9/1/90 will not change.

Premiums for those enrolled in the Retiree Indemnity Medical Program and who retired on or after 9/1/90 will increase by an amount between 2.5% and 4.5%, depending on the level of coverage (i.e. retiree only, retiree and spouse, retiree, spouse and children). Premiums for those enrolled in the Dental Benefits Program will increase 5%.

There are no changes to the benefit design of the Retiree Indemnity Medical Program, Catastrophic Medical Program, or Dental Benefits Plan. For those enrolled in the UM Choice Health Care Program, the following will occur: The $250 calendar year deductible for Level A will be eliminated. The $200 inpatient hospitalization copayment will increase to $300. A $100 outpatient surgery copayment will begin.

Express Scripts will be issuing new identification cards to individuals enrolled in the Retiree Indemnity Medical Program.

Michael J. Paden
Associate Vice President for Benefits
University of Missouri System
Phone 573-884-3222

Nominating for a Chancellor’s Retiree of the Year award

by Al Hahn

Every spring our MU chancellor presents awards to two retirees—one faculty and one staff—for their post-retirement contributions to our university and/or community. Selection is based on contributions made during his/her retirement period of at least five years. Contributions made prior to retirement do not apply.

To nominate or renominate a person, you should complete the form below and attach your letter detailing the following:

1. personal background information
2. extraordinary contributions
3. particular reasons for nomination

In addition, you’re invited to include up to three letters in support of your nomination. Awardees must accept his/her award at the annual Chancellor’s Retirees Luncheon. Questions should be directed to Darlene Miles at 445-0524, jackwm@centurytel.net.

MU Retirees Association Constitution Revised

Charlie Cramer

Thanks to Charlie Cramer and his fellow ad-hoc committee members, our MURA constitution was recently revised to better reflect current policies and practices. Changes are indicated by bold face type. Other committee members in addition to chair, Charlie Cramer, included Rod Gelatt, Mariann Holstein, Jim McCartney, and Ruth Miluski. [4/10/08]

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be “The MU Retirees Association,” herein referred to as the Association.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of the Association is to represent, promote and protect the interests of the retirees and to promote the welfare of the University of Missouri.

Article III - Membership

The membership of the Association shall consist of University of Missouri retirees, their spouses or surviving spouses and active faculty or staff age 55 and older who pay Association dues. A spouse shall be listed as staff or faculty based on the retiree’s appointment at the University. Retirees from other universities or colleges and/or their spouses may, upon payment of dues, be nonvoting Associate Members.

Article IV - Objectives

The objectives of the Association are:

• Sect. 1. To promote and protect the legitimate welfare, rights and entitlements of retirees, including, but not limited to, retirement and health benefits.
• Sect. 2. To serve as a channel of communication between retirees and the University and with other appropriate groups and individuals in the community beyond.
• Sect. 3. To continue as a contributing part of the University family.
• Sect. 4. To provide educational and social activities for retirees.
• Sect. 5. To encourage members to continue their active participation in, and involvement with, the University family.

Article III - Membership - change from “over the age of 55” to “age 55 and older.” The remaining changes in Articles I, III, and IV are to better define or clarify the items.

Article IV - Officers and Board of Directors

• Sect. 1. All references to the Vice President have been changed to President Elect.
• Sect. 2. The name of the Chancellor’s Retiree Advisory Committee has been changed to Chancellor’s Retiree Health and Other Benefits Advisory Committee.
• Sect. 3. The Board members at large (last sentence) has been clarified to state “The Board members at large shall serve a three-year term with two members being elected each year.”
• Section 5. The Officers shall have the responsibilities listed below:
  
  • Changes to President’s responsibilites:
    • Be an ex-officio member of all committees other than the nominating and audit committees.
    • Appoint the members and chairs of all committees, subject to the approval of the Board no later than at its next meeting.
  • Changes to President Elect‘s responsibilities:
    • Chair the Program Committee and be responsible for the programs of the Association business, informational, social, and educational meetings.
  • Changes to Treasurer’s responsibilities:
    • Prepare financial reports to be presented to the Board at regular meetings. (The word annual was removed.)

  BY-LAWS

  • Section 4 - A quorum at meetings of the Association shall consist of fifty (50) members.
  • Section 7 - Committee Assignments – All committee members shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board no later than at its next meeting. The terms of office of standing committees shall be concurrent with that of the President.
  • Section 8 — Standing Committees
  4. The Communications Committee ….. Association, including the periodic newsletter.
  5. The Retirement, Health, and Other Benefits Committee
  6. Change Awards Nominating Committee to Awards Committee
  7. The Nominating Committee……..December 31 (This committee was approved at the Association’s Informational meeting fall 2006 as a special order of business.)
  • Sect. 9 - Special Committees. The President shall appoint an Audit Committee as an ad hoc committee. The President may appoint other ad hoc and special committees for specific services as needed.

  MU Asian Affairs Center invites you to play host to Asian students

  Could you share a Sunday or evening meal with an international student or a family? If there’s one thing that Americans and Asians really have in common, it’s a love of food and bonding over a meal. The Asian Affairs Center at MU invites you to play host to two of our visiting students or scholars from Pacific Rim countries, inviting them to your home for an American-style dinner/supper.

  The meal need not be fancy. These students and scholars welcome the opportunity to sit and talk with Americans in a relaxed setting. The age of Americans doesn’t seem to matter to students. They are pleased to interact with children, retired couples, as well as people of their age. It’s comes as a surprise to them that Americans do have meals and do not exist on “fast food” alone!

  Contact: Sang S. Kim, Director, Asian Affairs Center & Missouri International Training Institute, N49 Memorial Union, phone: 573-884-9126, KimSan@missouri.edu

  The Aging Front

  by Ann Gowans

  You might be interested in a comparison of the health care plans being proposed by the two candidates pursuing the governor’s office.

  When discussing a reduction in the number of uninsured Missourians, Congressman Hulshof’s plan would support our current governor’s health care cuts and his plan does not include restoring coverage to the many thousands of Missourians who had their insurance cut. Attorney General Nixon’s plan would restore coverage and benefits to those Missourians who had it cut by Governor Blunt in 2005.

  As we consider the Costs for Missouri families, Congressman Hulshof’s plan is unlikely to significantly reduce the number of uninsured. Attorney General Nixon’s plan would reduce the number of uninsured and create more pressure on the market to drive down health care costs for our families.

  We currently have 150,000 uninsured children in our state. Congressman Hulshof does not mention any effort to provide insurance to Missouri’s uninsured children. Attorney General Nixon would restore coverage to children who had it cut in 2005, and reach out to families with children who are currently eligible for Medicaid/State Children’s Health insurance Program (SCHIP). This would allow families above 300% of the federal poverty level the opportunity to purchase coverage through SCHIP.

  The cost to Missouri taxpayers would differ according to the candidate’s plan. Hulshof’s plan would cost the state of Missouri $508 million to implement, plus $82 million in matching funds from the government. Nixon’s plan would cost the state $265 million and would draw down $431 million in new federal health care dollars that the state would otherwise be turning away.

  University Bookstore

  Faculty, Staff, and Retiree Appreciation Night, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, 5:30 p.m. The University Bookstore would like to invite all current and retired faculty and staff to our upcoming Staff, Faculty, and Retiree Appreciation Night. Attendees will enjoy great entertainment, refreshments, and extra discounts and specials! Please join us in celebrating with the entire MU family during this wonderful time of the year.Watch for your upcoming invitation.

  Black and Gold Discount Fridays every Friday before a home football game. Show your black and gold pride!Tiger fans can enjoy 25% off Mizzou insignia apparel and gifts.

  Bargain Books for U Sale November 5th–6th, December 2nd–3rd. Take advantage of great savings on bargain books, and enjoy complementary coffee. There’s something for every book lover, with many titles under $10.

  As a treasured member of the MU family we want to continue to enhance your Mizzou experience.Stay up-to-date on special discounts, author events, and celebra tions with our Be the First to Know email. Register at www.mubookstore.com

  Nominating for MURA Board of Directors

  Our nominating committee encourages members to help identify persons willing to serve on our MURA Board of Directors. We need your help in identifying potential candidates. Please contact one of the following members of our committee to volunteer and/or to suggest one or more candidates. With thanks…

  • Jo Behymer (Chair) 442-6783
  • Rod Gelatt 443-7216
  • Tom Freeman 445-5427
  • Veralee Hardin 445-4766
  • Liz Bailey 449-7677

  Santa’s gifts

  It’s time to share the joy of our holiday season by pledging your gift(s) for the drawing at our Saturday December 13 Holiday Luncheon. Many members have shared their arts, crafts, and spirit of giving in the past by providing gifts. If you would like to be a part of continuing with this tradition, please provide G.B. Thompson, Santa’s Chief Elf, with a brief description of your gift to him at phone 445-4339 or e-mail gbt4cd@mizzou.edu. Please contact G.B. by Wednesday, December 10.

  Book exchange

  This is to once again invite all of you attending our 2008 Holiday Luncheon to bring a give-away book to share with others. Upon arrival, just place your gift-book on the ‘literary table.’ Then, at the conclusion of our luncheon, choose a book from the table to take home and enjoy.

  Looking ahead to MURA's breakfast lecture series

  MURA’s breakfast series continues to convene at 8:00 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Jack’s Gourmet Restaurant, 1903 Business Loop 70 East at the junction of Old 63 and Business Loop 70 (across from Westlake’s Ace Hardware). Please make your reservation at least four days in advance of each event by contacting John Parker at jparkerok@aol.com, or by phoning him at 573-442-5215, or by mailing to John Parker, 2503 Mallard Court, Columbia, MO 65203. The cost is $8.00, payable at the door.

  Schedule, 2008–09 academic year

  • Nov. 4 That’s All Folks: Some Possible Endings, Mack Jones, MU professor emeritus of English.
  • Dec. 2 Why People Dislike Lawyers, Larry Dessem, Dean of MU’s School of Law.
  • Jan. 6 Whose Land Is It? A History of the Israeli-Palestine Conflict, Larry Brown, MU professor of cultural geography.
  • Feb. 3 The Trial of Frank James, Bill Berry, past-president, Boone County Historical Society.