UCI emeritae/i Association MINUTES

meeting of April 4, 2005

Present:	Ann Heiney, Renée Hubert, Duncan Luce, Sam McCulloch, Ron Miller, Kivie Moldave, Lorie Reed, Ann Stephens and Jerry Tobis.
Call to Order:	The meeting was called to order at 9:16 a.m. Chairman Kivie Moldave applauded Duncan Luce who has been awarded the National Medal of Science.

March Minutes: Corrected as follows: IV: The second sentence should read "It was suggested that in the future..." V: End of the first paragraph:, "deadline for nominations of April 20, 2005". VI: Final sentence should read, "Lyman Porter reminded the committee it was important that the new system (for indicating if dues had been paid) be kept up to date once implemented, so that the newsletter would be correct when it was sent."

Treasurer’s Report: Lorie Reed reported there are $1470 in the Foundation Account.

Program Committee: In John Swett's absence Kivie Moldave reported that Julian Feldman is willing to assist John Swett in planning the June meeting. Ann Stephens volunteered as well, and volunteered -- if the meeting is to be informal -- to hold it at her home. Because it is to be more formal with a speaker and a luncheon, it was decided to hold it at the University Club rather than in the Senate offices where we meet (and where parking is more difficult).

Editor’s Report: In Bob Montgomery's absence Audrey Wicks reported she has information for the next newsletter. As recommended at the last meeting when the newsletter requesting annual dues is sent there is to be an asterisk on the label to indicate those who have already paid. Today Ann Heiney suggested for those who receive their newsletter by e-mail (approximately 15 have so requested) there be an asterisk in the subject line for those who had already paid.

Retiree Report: In the absence of Bobby Brown it was reported that she has neither secretarial assistance nor a computer but that there are now approximately 21 applicants for the position of manager for the Retirement/Emeritae/i Center.

Awards Committee Report: Lorie Reed has been asked to assume responsibility as chair, and reported the notice of invitation for UCIEA mentorship award nominations had gone by e-mail to all with academic titles on the Campus and in the Medical School. Miller asked whether this included medical fellows (the equivalent of postdoctoral students). Lorie also reported that the announcement would be sent to all Emeritae/i. One nomination for the mentorship award has been received to date. Kivie Moldave announced this year's Panunzio award will go to Virginia Olesen of Social and Behavioral Sciences at UCSF. Most unfortunately the unanimous decision of the UCIEA executive committee to nominate David Easton for this award was considered, unbeknownst to us, after the deadline for receipt of nominations had already passed.

Historical Committee Report: In the absence of Louis Gottschalk, Tobis announced the committee would meet this week, and Moldave announced the report was to be submitted in the fall.

Nominating Committee Report: In Lyman Porter's absence Kivie Moldave reported the committee had met and is to report prior to the June meeting of the UCIEA.

New and Unfinished Business:

(1) Moldave reported that the Faculty Welfare Committee had considered title IX (gender discrimination), proposition 209, and affirmative-action. The "farm school" is under review but not scheduled to be closed as feared in the past. To avoid nepotism higher degrees cannot be awarded by one's own department.

(2) Miller asked for clarification of the "upsurge in complaints about treatment of members of the campus community by our medical school (e.g., long waits, not getting reports, etc.)" and the "lively discussion [that] ensued" after he and Tobis had had to leave the March meeting. He felt it important to report to the Dean, and Tobis recommended notification of Ralph Cygan as well. It was stated that it is extremely difficult to make appointments by telephone or by e-mail, and two individuals have found it actually saves time to go to the Plaza or to the Pavilion to make appointments in person. Several individuals stated that when they telephone they are kept waiting so long that they put the telephone on speaker and go about their business. They wondered whether there might be a special number for faculty and Emeritae/i to call the Medical Center or Plaza.

(3) Moldave reported that he would be away in May and June as will be true of Swett and Porter as well. Lorie Reed "volunteered" to chair meetings if the e-mail conduct of our business does not suffice for the balance of the year.

(4) Nearly every member of the Executive Committee expressed grave concern for the survival of the UCIEA Executive Committee, at least as presently constituted. The several Emeritae/i that Moldave has invited to attend meetings have not had sustained interest. He reported that other campuses have similar problems though because of their larger faculty size they have had somewhat better attendance than we. Tobis said, "Perhaps our issues are too parochial. We seem primarily concerned about health care and our rights as Emeritae/i. Perhaps we need review the functions of the UCIEA”. Moldave indicated a questionnaire would be appropriate to ascertain interest of Emeritae/i and to ask how we can be more relevant and meet their needs. Duncan Luce pointed out that many of our Emeritae/i have actually been recalled to part-time service and may relate more directly to the active faculty. He felt the major benefits of the Emeritae/i association are comraderie and lectures at our meetings. He believes healthcare is our major topic of interest. Judd Hubert said, "It's an identity crisis that we are going through", and he suggested we become activists in order to improve our campus. Tobis recommended an ad hoc committee to contemplate the future of the UCIEA, but there were no volunteers to serve on such a committee. He also recommended a table might be set-aside at the University Club for Emeritae/i. In contemplating the membership of the UCIEA executive committee, he noted that several schools have no representatives, and he recommended that each Dean be asked to send a representative Emerita/us member. Although several questioned whether this would in fact be effective, Moldave agreed to pursue it at this time. He wondered, however, whether it would be appropriate to have a moratorium in the activities of the UCIEA executive committee. This idea was not endorsed, in part for pride over the appointment of the health coordinator for each campus which had been discussed here, and endorsed by the Emeritae/i though it may have originated with Julian Feldman and the Faculty Welfare Committee.

Minutes submitted by Ronald B. Miller, M.D., Secretary.