2015 Conference Report

Jim Griesen and Roger Kirby represented the UNL Emeriti Association at the 2015 Big Ten Retirees Association meeting, hosted by Michigan State University (MSU) Aug. 13.

The theme of the conference, “Drivers Impacting Our Retirement Years,” focused on the economic, intellectual, health and financial drivers affecting Big Ten university retirees. MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon shared her views on issues affecting our universities today and responded to thoughtful questions from the audience. Saturday’s speakers covered the four focus areas of the theme, and the afternoon concluded with a bus tour of the MSU campus, which is reported to be the largest physical campus in the country.

The Sunday morning session was dedicated to reports from representatives of the participating universities. Many schools brought documents (newsletters, recruitment brochures, activities descriptions, etc.) to share.

It should be noted that some of the universities have associations that include all the retirees from the institution, i.e., faculty, administrators, clerical and custodial staff and other university employees. The reports and discussions over the two-day conference will be shared with the Board to help in developing new programs and activities for the UNL Emeriti Association.

UNL’s representatives extended a special invitation to attend the 2016 conference in Lincoln Aug. 5-7, 2016, and described the planning taking place for the event.

The full program for the 2015 conference can be seen at http://hr.umich.edu/umra/big10. Just click on the Big 10 Retirees Association logo. This website also offers links to each of the member associations.