Report of the UCLA Emeriti Association: Comments on Selected Activities and Programs for the Academic Year 2008/2009
Lecture Programs. For many years, the speakers program organized by our Program Committee has been a mainstay of our activities for the benefit of members. At the present time we sponsor one program per month during the period from October through the following June. The first and last of this series are sponsored jointly by UCLARA and UCLAEA. Four of the seven remaining programs sponsored by UCLAEA are after-lunch talks and the other three are associated with dinner meetings that include a social hour and dinner before the lecture presentation. Attendance varies, ranging from about 20-60 for the after-lunch talks and about 80 to 120 for the dinner meetings and the jointly sponsored programs. Speakers are mostly drawn from the active or emeriti UCLA faculty ranks, and only occasionally from outside. We do not offer honoraria or expenses other than a meal prior to the program. My experience during 5 years as Program Chair was that we had a very high rate of acceptance by invited speakers. The programs have been highly varied in subject matter and aimed at a general audience. A list of this yearŐs speakers and the titles of their presentations is appended to this report.
Arts and Crafts Show. Another important presentation of the Association is the popular, annual Emeriti Arts and Crafts Exhibit. This is organized and promoted by our Arts and Crafts Committee, with some assistance by personnel from the Emeriti/Retirees Relations Center. This yearŐs show, which will be held on May 19, will be the thirty-first such Exhibit and will feature the artistic creations of twenty-nine members of the Association along with a nice reception. Financial support for these Exhibits comes primarily from contributions by members of the Association. The success of this activity
has prompted the UCLARA to stage its own Exhibit in the fall. It too, has become highly successful in a short time.
Emeriti Awards. This year, as in the last two years, the presentations of awards to UCLA emeriti for their outstanding scholarly and service contributions since retirement will be included in our spring dinner meeting program. Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Scott Waugh will make the presentation of the Constantine Panunzio Distinguished Emeritus Award to Daniel Howe and Vice Chancellor, Academic Personnel Thomas Rice will award the Edward A Dixon Emeritus Professorships to six recipients. Also, our Executive Board will be presenting plaques honoring Board members Norah Jones (Lifetime Achievement), Robert Scott (Emeritus of the Year) and Jean Aroeste (Distinguished Service). This format for presenting the awards has worked well for us. It assures there will be a generally interested and appreciative audience of fellow emeriti present. Also, the published accomplishments of this distinguished group of emeriti emphasizes to the University community how much the emeriti continue to contribute to the mission of the University even after retirement, a message that is also supported by the results of the biennial biobibliographic surveys of emeriti activities.
Belmont Village Westwood. The work and persistence of the Joint Housing Committee with both UCLARA and UCLAEA members led by Adrian Harris and Lew Leeburg is about to be rewarded. The goal of the Committee for almost a decade has been to obtain high quality retirement community housing facilities close to the UCLA campus that would be a housing option for UCLA emeriti and retirees. A breakthrough came when a suitable site was found on Wilshire Boulevard about a mile from campus and Belmont Village specialists in the construction and operation of facilities for senior living agreed to build a retirement community housing facility there. The project is now nearly completed and the first occupants will be moving in this summer. From all indications this will be a first class facility offering a variety of living arrangements and amenities. It is owned and will be operated by Belmont Village with no legal connection with UCLA. However, by arrangement , UCLA emeriti and retirees will have a high priority for admission. The Joint Housing Committee deserves congratulations and thanks for their success in this ambitious task. However, their work is not yet finished. The Belmont Village Westwood facility offers living units on a monthly rental fee basis. The Committee envisions having also a CCRC facility available and has explored that possibility. That goal has been put on hold for now, but the hope is that it can be revived
in better times.
Charles West
President, UCLA Emeriti Association