OSU Retirement Association Steering Committee Meeting
Minutes from February 27, 2002
Committee members attending: Irma Delson, Les Dunnington, Gale Hazel, George Keller, Carol Mason,
Les Risser, Marilyn Sarff, Bill Wilkins
Guests: Joe Hendricks, Chris Sproul, Sally Francis, Isaiah Flair, David Eiseman
1. Introductions
George introduced Chris Sproul, Director of International Education. Bill introduced David
Eiseman, interested retiree, and Sally Francis, Dean of the Graduate School. Sally introduced Isaiah
Flair, Graduate Student Conference Director. Joe Hendricks is the Dean of the Honors College.
1. The minutes from the February 13, 2002 meeting were approved and accepted.
1. Next meeting
The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 2, 2002, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the OSU Foundation Board
Room.
1. Reports on old business
a. Marilyn reported that thank you notes from the Committee for the Kick-Off Event were sent to Paul
Risser, Deb Mott, Rick Hein, Dwayne Foley, Mark Wright, and Debbie Griesmeyer
b. Les R. reported that Dr. Risser has authorized a transfer from the President’s Discretionary Fund to
the OSURA account at the Foundation to cover a portion of the expenses from the Kick-Off Event.
She will contact Mark Wright about the amount needed.
1. Activities
ac. Sally Francis spoke to the committee about the Graduate Student Conference on April 10, which is
being held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Memorial Union. Isaiah described the conference and
the responsibilities of the judges, and asked that OSURA help find retired staff and faculty to judge
the presentations. Judges could volunteer for one or more shifts of one or two hours each. Some of
the committee members expressed confusion about this event and the poster session on the same day
from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Both events are asking for assistance with judging, and Isaiah explained
that they were separate events. David suggested that Isaiah emphasize to the presenters that their
presentations be at a level to be understood by the layperson. He replied that the judges do not need
to be from a specific discipline, and explanations about the process will be given to those who
volunteer. Isaiah can be reached at the following email address: gradconference2002@hotmail.com.
or by phone at 713-7531.
George asked about getting the word out, since our membership is still small. Irma will announce
the event at the next TRIAD meeting. It will also be included in the next OSURA mailing and be put
on the OSURA web site.
b. Chris Sproul spoke about the possibility of offering overseas tours to OSURA members. She is
planning a trip to China which would focus on the minorities. Since there are alumni, staff, and
faculty in place there would be opportunities that might not be found in a regular tour. There are
other areas in the world with OSU connections and she suggested the possibility of planning other
trips as well. The committee discussed with Chris various possibilities and details of what might be
available. Les R. asked her to find out about liabilities, which she will do, and Irma inquired about
arrangements for people with physical limitations. The committee expressed a concern that these
activities not conflict with tours sponsored by the Alumni Association and that they be coordinated
with Dwayne Foley.
c. George reported on a conversation with Jack Van de Water, Dean of International Education about
volunteer opportunities in that college. He suggested programs similar to the existing Odyssey, ELI,
and Crossroads programs for new international graduate students. Another opportunity would be to
give time to visiting scholars for quick touring of the area, etc (other than what is done on an official
basis by the deans and colleges). Bill mentioned that Jack is currently looking for retirees to be
involved in a new committee established to examine and strengthen the international dimensions of
OSU’s programs. Joan Gross, anthropology professor, is the chair of the committee.
d. Joe Hendricks invited all retirees to attend the Honors College Thesis Fair, which is being held on
Wednesday, May 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the MU Ballroom. A light lunch will be served.
e. Marilyn discussed the possibility of an OSURA-sponsored tour of the Horner Museum building.
After some discussion the committee agreed that there would be a better time to do this in the future.
f. Bill reported that he’d talked to Charlie Sollitt, Director of the Wave Research Laboratory, about a
tour for OSURA members. He will talk to him again about a possible date for this event. [later note:
the date for this tour is Tuesday, April 9 at 10:30 a.m.]. The committee discussed the need to clarify
the parking availability for participants.
1. Mailing for activities and memberships
Les D. distributed a draft of a letter to potential members. The committee discussed the best way to
get the letter out, to use email addresses where we have them, to include information about
upcoming activities and membership, and how to get the responses back. Gale will put together a
letter and response form, and handle the printing and mailing, with a target date for mailing in early
March. An envelope, pre-addressed to Gale’s office, will be included in the mailing for respondents
to use to send back the membership/interest form.
1. Membership
The committee discussed who should be included as members of OSURA. The consensus was that
the primary focus is for retirees, and anyone else with connections to OSU will be welcome.
8. Other business
Irma commented that Lisa Templeton’s idea to have an OSURA representative on the ALL
committee was a good one, and the committee agreed. No action was taken.
Bill reiterated his concern that leadership of OSURA be consistent and active, and encouraged the
committee members to talk to people that might be interested in being involved.
9. The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.