Newsletters

November 2007

From our President's Desk

MURA is on the move, and I am proud to be a part of this organization of retirees and share some of the reasons for my enthusiasm. Forty-four members have had phone calls or emails from me with an invitation to serve on a MURA committee; only two people indicated that they could not serve at this time. Jean Zwonitzer agreed to serve as Membership Co-Chair with the responsibility for recruiting and retaining members. Darlene Miles will chair the Awards Committee, and the chair for the Constitution Revision Committee is Charlie Cramer. Rod Gelatt will develop a survey to gather information from members needed for discussions with prospective members, administrators, and the Board of Curators as well as ideas for future programming and services for MURA members. If you have suggestions for committee chairs, please contact them.

The first two breakfast programs attracted about 60 people for each program, more than double the number I would have considered successful. If you haven’t attended either program, I encourage you to be at the Old Alumni Center on the first Tuesday of each month beginning on November 6. John Parker and the committee have lined up interesting programs.

The United Way campaign is underway. This year’s goal for retirees is $52,325, about 9% of the University’s goal. This is an increase over last year, but I am confident that we can do it. If you haven’t returned your donor card, please give serious thought to the difference your donation added to other United Way contributions can make in the lives of nearly 111,000 neighbors in Boone and surrounding counties. If you have misplaced your donor card, please contact Patsy Higgins at 882-7254 to request another one.

The MURA Board of Directors approved a resolution supporting Chancellor Deaton’s proposal to return the name of Missouri’s flagship university to the University of Missouri.

The Membership Committee will work to recruit new members, and we have developed a new brochure, which should be available soon, to give to prospective members. The latest membership report showed 510 faculty members, 560 staff members, and 258 spouses of retirees. I am impressed with the number of new members some of you, including spouses of retirees, have recruited recently. With more members, MURA can accomplish more to serve retirees and MU. Your help is needed in this effort. Won’t you please ask at least two prospective members to attend our November 17 Fall Information Meeting with you and join MURA.

Jo Behymer

More good news about our health care

by Mike Paden

I like delivering good news. In addition to the 2% pension adjustment that went into effect 9/1/ 07, we’ve got equally good results on our 2008 premium adjustments for retirees participating in UM’s medical and dental benefit programs.

Soon, each of you will receive announcements regarding changes for 2008. There will be some minor plan design changes that allow us to comply with applicable laws and, in general, simplify the programs in a few areas. Please note those changes when you receive more detailed information from UM Faculty and Staff Benefits. I can’t wait to share the good news on premiums with you, so here it is:

There will be no increase in dental benefit plan premiums for 2008.
There will be no increase in UM Choice Health Care Program premiums for 2008. This applies only to retirees who are not yet eligible for Medicare.
For the UM Retiree Indemnity Medical Program, 2008 premiums will decrease between 4% and 7%. The decrease applicable to you will depend on your coverage level and your date of retirement. Detailed information will be included in upcoming announcements that will be sent to every retiree.

One of the major factors affecting medical program premiums is the approach that we are taking to manage prescription drug benefits. Each of you plays an important role in this process as a consumer. Using generic and formulary brand drugs whenever possible is very important. For 2006, our generic fill rate was 60.8%, up from 54.3% in 2005. With so many drugs going off-patent in the near future, continuing to make use of generic drugs whenever medically appropriate is critical to the management of the program.

Many thanks for your cooperation and partnering with us to keep our health care program as efficient as possible.

by Mike Paden
Associate Vice President for Benefits
University of Missouri System
Phone 573.884.32222

Nominating for a Chancellor's Retiree of the Year award

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:

personal background information
extraordinary contributions
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.

MURA Past-Presidents Club

Charlie Cramer is credited with organizing ‘MURA Past-Presidents Club,’ which meets monthly (or thereabouts) at the Rendezvous Coffee Shop. There is no agenda, no committees, no minutes, but there’s no lack of ideas benefiting MURA. Activities with which the group identifies:

Editing and copy-editing our Newsletter
Serving as official MURA historian
Serving as custodian of archives
Organizing two meetings per year of MURA reps with Chancellor Deaton
Organizing two meetings per year of reps of retiree organizations on our four campuses with UM president and officers
Providing counsel for sitting presidents and presidents-elect (invited or not)
Developing ‘Ray Schroeder celebration’ and naming our spring picnic in his honor
Assessing symbiosis with our campus

Retirees-MU perks and benefits

by Rod Gelatt

How many MU perks and benefits do we/can we enjoy in our retirement years? And what are some of the existing, and possibly future, opportunities that we retirees can/could contribute to MU? Let’s begin with benefits, and then discuss the other half of our relationship in the second part of this series.

Post-retirement medical benefits—Depending on your particular medical situation, benefits might pay little, or nothing, if Medicare is your primary insurer. But dental care provisions and drug benefits are significant. So is the new vision plan.

Eye care program—Unfortunately the Mason Eye Institute at University Hospital is not a participant in that program, but it does offer a 25% discount to retirees, University employees, and their families. 573.884.7710

On-campus parking—$24 per year buys access to most parking lots and structures—a significant bargain if you drive to the campus frequently.

Athletic events—Reduced ticket prices are available for certain sporting events (not including men’s basketball, football, and baseball). This season, the department announced free admission to retirees for volleyball games. Membership in the Tiger Scholarship Fund (for preferred seating and parking) is discounted 50%. Phone the Intercollegiate Athletics Ticket Office 573.884.7297 for further information.

Golf course—Serious golfers can buy a retirees’ season pass to A.L. Gustin golf course for $437.50. That’s half-price, but it’s not usable on weekends or holidays before noon. For more information phone 573.882.6016.

Student Recreation Center—For $33 per month (or $396 single payment for the year), one has access to all facilities, including swimming pools and day-lockers. ($16 per month for renting a private locker. For men there’s a wait list.) The Tiger Express Program membership costs only $20 per month, but a member must vacate the Center every day by 12:30 p.m. 573.882.0369

Theatrical productions—A little-known secret is that retirees may obtain two free tickets to every Theater Department production, both at the Rhynsburger Theater and at the Corner Playhouse. The department no longer requires the ‘only on certain days or nights’ stipulation. 573.882.7529

Libraries—Retired faculty and staff and their spouses, have access to MU libraries, including checkout privileges, but they do need a current ID card. They also may use the library’s on-line database, but need an MU PawPrint to access it. (Inquire of June DeWeese, Access Services, 573.882.7315.

E-mail and the Internet—Retirees who had registered as students to obtain services in the past no longer will do so. Retirees can sign up for e-mail/ Internet access at the Locust St. building (615 Locust, 573.882.2000). Annual fee: $24. Services includes an e-mail account, access to computing sites (excluding printers) and short-course in software. Retirees are not eligible for active faculty/staff discounts for software, but ITS is exploring possible discounts with vendors. Professors emeriti are advised to contact their college’s or school’s ITS support staff to gain applicable information.

University Bookstore—No special discounts for retirees, but we do enjoy the usual 10% reduction with an MU ID card.

Office and lab/studio space—The official Guidelines and Policies from Campus Facilities Space Planning and Management can be translated as follows: Space allocation depends on availability and whether the individual’s activities justify space assignment. For example, how actively is he/ she involved in contributing to the mission of the department. If judged to be less than .25FTE, normally space is not provided. Typically, emeriti are expected to share office and lab or studio space.

What other perks/benefits?—Surely I’ve missed some perks and benefits. If so, pass them along to me. Part two in this series will focus on what we retirees are contributing to the University in our retirement years and how our skills and talents might be better put to use, e.g., part-time teaching, mentoring, advising. Let me have your thoughts about that subject at gelattr@missouri.edu.

The Aging Front

by Ann Gowans

From the Missouri Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging: At our September meeting Keri Dozier, the Department of Health and Senior Services Boards and Commissions Liaison, gave a report about Council reformation. It will be reduced from 27 members throughout the state to 12, which continue to be selected by the Governor’s office. More than one-half the members must be 60 years old or older. Their role will continue to be as advocates for Missouri’s seniors.

Brenda Campbell, director of the Division of Senior and Disability Services, indicated that the draft of the Older Americans Act Plan on Aging for Missouri is in the Governor’s office awaiting review. The current plan is to align the administration with the 2006 reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. Brenda advocates the partnering with other state agencies to balance long-term care, and she announced that such a plan will be developed.

Erik Feltner, liaison in the Lt. Governor’s office, reported that Lt. Governor Kinder spoke at the Missouri Summit on Aging and Health, where he shared positive outcomes from the 2007 legislative session that relate to seniors’ issues.

Lt. Governor Kinder is chair of the new 22-member Comprehensive Entry Point subcommittee. This subcommittee will work together to develop recommendations for the Missouri Legislature by October 1, 2008.

The Silver Haired Legislature will hold its annual meeting on October 24-26, 2007. Its priorities will be selected during that meeting.

Janis VanMeter reported that the Aging Federation will meet in October of 2008. The Federation will review some issues this year. These include the Comprehensive Entry Point, the Income Tax assumptions, and Information Technology. Priorities will be selected prior to the 2008 Legislative session.

Holiday Luncheon 2007

Santa’s gifts

It’s time to share the joy of our holiday season by pledging your gift(s) for the drawing at our December 15 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 12.

Book exchange

This is to once again invite all of you attending our 2007/ Holiday Luncheon to bring a give-away book to share with others. Upon arrival, just place your giftbook on the ‘literary table.’ Then, at the conclusion of our luncheon, choose a book from the table to take home and enjoy.

Breakfast lecture series

MURA’s breakfast series continues to convene at 8:00 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Old Alumni Center. 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 $9.00, payable at the door. Please park in the east part of the parking lot.

November 6—As press time approaches, this program features Professor Jim Spain, MU Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, speaking on the topic, A Land Grant Response: Cows, Pigs, and Graduates.
December 4—An Interview with the Former CNN Bureau Chief Stationed in the Soviet Union, Stuart Loorey, Host of KBIA’s The Global Journalist and Cold War Bureau Chief of CNN; with Rod Gelatt, Past President of MURA, MU Professor Emeritus of Broadcast Journalism,and Host of KBIA ’s Views of the News.
January 8—The State of the Environment in Missouri, by Steve Mahfood, former Director of Missouri's Department of Natural Resources and CEO of Mahfood Associates.
February 5—The Future of Newspapers, by Esther Thorson, Interim Dean, M U's School of Journalism.
March 4—White Nationalism on the American Landscape, by Larry Brown, M U Professor of Cultural Geography.
April 1—Nanno Medicine at MU, by Fred Hawthorne, Director, International Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine.
May 6—Quick Study in Memory Mastery, by Bart Entrikin, Educational Consultant and Professional Seminar Presenter.

Hear ye—membership directory reminder

Ernest Hilderbrand

If you have changed your mailing address and/or your e-mail address, and would like to provide corrections for our revised membership directory, please notify me, Ernest Hilderbrand, at the following: HilderbrandE@missouri.edu.

Resolution Supporting Name Change to University of Missouri Proposed by Chancellor Brady Deaton Approved by MURA Board of Directors August 30, 2007

The MU Retirees Association Board of Directors strongly supports officially returning the name of Missouri’s flagship university to University of Missouri, the official name for more than 120 years. The University of Missouri-Columbia has a statewide, land-grant mission, and is Missouri’s only public research institution to be a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities; yet it currently carries a regional name. We encourage the Chancellor, the University of Missouri System administration, and the Board of Curators to restore the official title to the University of Missouri.

MURA Nominating Committee

Our MURA 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…

Rod Gelatt (Chair) 443-7216
Tom Freeman 445-5427
Charles Cramer 445-4546
Veralee Hardin 445-4766
Liz Bailey 449-7677