UC San Diego Emeriti Association Report

Highlights of Activities 2008-2009

1. The UC San Diego Emeriti Association continues its active roles, both as a stand-alone organization and in close partnership with the 900-member UC San Diego Retirement Association. This relationship is supported by the excellent coordination efforts of Suzan Cioffi, Director of the UC San Diego Retirement Resource Center, and by the physical resources of the Center itself, a well-equipped facility located in the heart of the campus.

2. Membership of the UC San Diego Emeriti Association continues to grow and now includes 400 active members. A special reception for potential new members in March before our monthly program along with other outreach activities has led to this increase in membership. Our dues for annual and life memberships remain at $30 and $300, respectively.

3. During the academic year, the UC San Diego Emeriti Association's Executive Committee meets monthly to discuss Emeriti issues and plan upcoming events. Following this is the General Members’ Meeting at which a distinguished faculty speaker presents a talk on a timely topic. Typically these talks have been attended by 50-120 active Emeriti Association members. Special meetings during the year include a Holiday Party that is held jointly with the UC San Diego Retirement Association, more that 200 members attending this past year, and the Welcoming Reception for potential new members in March. In June we host a luncheon at the Faculty Club for Emeriti Association members with a special speaker invited to give the main talk. At this luncheon we conduct our Annual Business meeting at witch time the new President, President-Elect and new members of the Executive Committee are installed.

4. Professor Emeritus Sandy Lakoff continues as Editor of the CHRONICLES, our official newsletter that is published bi-monthly during the academic year. In addition to maintaing his high editorial standards, Professor Lakoff was also a recipient of the Edward A. Dickinson Emeriti Professorship on our campus this past year recognizing his many contributions to our Emeriti Association.

5. The UC San Diego Emeriti Association's mentoring program, initiated in August 2008, continues to thrive and grow. During the 2008-2009 academic year we have 25 Emeriti faculty who serve as mentors to 50 Chancellor's Scholars; underprivileged and highly meritorious 1st and 2nd year undergraduate students who are first in their family to attend college.

6. Dickson Award: At our Annual Luncheon and Business Meeting in June 2008 we made our first 2 Edward A. Dickinson Emeriti Professorship awards. The recipients were Professor Emeritus of Political Science Sandy Lakoff and Professor Emeritus of Pathology Kurt Benirschke.

7. UC San Diego Emeriti Association Undergraduate Scholarship Fund: In the 2007-2008 academic year the UC San Diego Emeriti Association, under the leadership of Don Helinski, established this scholarship fund in conjunction with the UC San Diego Retirement Association. In its initial year $7,500 were raised for the scholarship fund. During the current academic year the award sponsored by our Association was given to Tisah Tuony, a Muir freshman with an outstanding high school record who plans to do a double major in Ecology and Literature.

8. We look forward to hosting the combined Spring 2009 meeting of CUCEA/CUCRA on April 30, 2009 at the UC San Diego Faculty Club.

Submitted by: Colin Bloor, President, UC San Diego Emeriti Association