MSU Faculty Emeriti Association
Steering Committee Meeting
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
1:30-3:30 p.m.
209 Olds Hall
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Forsyth at 1: 30 p.m. with the following members present: Wickert, Ishino, Bader, Nelson, Shaw, Forsyth, Greenbaum, Adams, Fischer, Birdwell, Hudson, Stone, Ferris, Mather and Gliozzo.
The minutes of the December 17, 2008 were approved as distributed, based on a motion by Hudson.
The thoughtful proposal of Greenbaum concerning the composition of the Awards Committee was approved, based on a motion to proceed with his recommendations offered by Adams. Members of the Steering Committee will no longer participate on the Awards Committee. Members for this committee will be drawn from other Emeriti Faculty Association members. Chairperson Forsyth will work with Shaw to see that such a committee is formed.
Fischer reported that the speaker and date for the next lecture/seminar had not been determined. He and others of the Steering Committee, who wish to participate, will meet with library staff members to determine what topics related to library collections might be suitable for a seminar. Other topics of interest suggested included: President Simon and Provost Wilcox discussing the role of emeriti faculty at MSU; a discussion about the cyclotron and the big grant – perhaps presented by the facility’s outreach person; the American Fur Trade, MSU research on malaria, presented by Terry Taylor; the new IBM Center and what it means to the campus; pandas, discussed by Jack Lau.
Gliozzo led a discussion on the decision to put the On Line Journal “on hold” at this time. It was agreed that an electronic message will go out to the Emeriti Faculty list indicating that this project is on hold because of “various concerns,” and expressing appreciation for the interest shown in the project.
Ferris reported that Nelson was making progress in finalizing the release form for participants in the Oral History Project; interviewers indicated who they will be interviewing, and arrangements are being made with University Relations to provide them with background information on those to be interviewed. The tentative list of those to be interviewed follows: Jan Krehbiel, James Potchen and Waldo Keller (Ed Mather); Joyce Grant (Pauline Adams); Joy Curtis (Charles Gliozzo); Milton Muelder (Laurie Summers); Bea Mott (Allyn Shaw); James Rainey (John Forsyth); Margaret Buboltz, Carol Fisher and Betty Garlic (Linda Nelson) Fred Wickert and David Ralph (Maxine Ferris).
After discussing the pros and cons of using the Emeriti mailing list to notify Association members of a request from the Julian Samora Research Institute to recruit volunteers to assist with an upcoming anniversary program, it was agreed that sending out such a request was appropriate.
Forsyth and Mather will conduct a survey of Emeriti Faculty Association members and analyze the results so that the interests and needs of members can be better addressed by the Steering Committee and Association.
Stone reported that the Health Care Task Force continues to meet on a monthly basis; the updated By-laws of the Academic and Faculty Councils will now include Emeriti representatives on the various committees.
Forsyth indicated that the MSU Retiree newsletter will now be available on line.
There was no Trustee Meeting report.
The possibility of having an Emeriti “Place” was discussed. It was agreed that discussions should be held with Barb Krantz, who deals with space allocations, and perhaps a representative of the Land Management Office to explore what initial steps would be relative to acquiring space. Greenbaum is the “point person” on this initiative.
Gliozzo reported that the magazine collection and distribution last fall was very successful. An E-mail message asking Emeriti to save magazines for a 2009 collection will be sent.
Members were encouraged to participate in the “First Thursday Receptions,” held in the Spartan Club at the Stadium. This is the only informal academic networking gathering held on campus, hosted by the President and Provost. The next one will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 on February 5, 2009.
The meeting adjourned at 3:30; the next meeting will be February18, 2009.