Association of
Retired Rice University Faculty
Welcome to ARRUF, where innovation and collaboration transform retirement.
Here, friends and colleagues join in discussions, workshops, and research projects to rethink the role of retired faculty in the University and invent new forms of participation. Members share interests through groups that meet via ZOOM and, in the future, with in-person events.
VICE-PRESIDENT LEVANDER ON REIMAGINING EDUCATION
On June 18th Caroline Levander, Vice-President for Global and Digital Strategy joined ARRUF members on ZOOM to tell about those weeks in spring when faculty transformed their classes to on-line formats and about teaching on-line. She currently writes a blog on Higher Education with Peter Decherney. Read their current analysis of the complexity of on-line education in Education Is a Team Sport. Dr. Levander also described innovative plans for fall classes and explained how some ARRUF members might play new kinds of roles as mentors and coaches.
Read more about Dr. Levander at Rice.
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
The ARRUF ANNUAL REPORT for 2019-2020 is available here.
Thanks to the directors for leading through this difficult time!
A GOOD TIME FOR REFLECTION AND LEADERSHIP
Here is President Leebron's Statement. Read it and perhaps reflect on earlier moments of social unrest we've experienced. How can we make a difference in this troubled time? What new roles are possible for retired faculty?
See Travel "Trailer" JULY 16th ALL-ARRUF ZOOM MEETING 10:00 A.M. CDT
This month look forward to talking about travel and hearing from footloose colleagues and our own Viqui Arbizu-Sabater, who with husband Alfonso, owns a travel company in Seville, Spain. Although Covid-19 has reduced our travel possibilities, Viqui will provide the anchor travel presentation, getting things off to a good start. After that, a lot is possible, because all who participate in the Zoom call will have a chance to contribute thoughts about past travel, along with photos, if desired. Organizers Ahmad Durrani and Mark Kulstad will have specific travel materials to share, including photos (trips to Colorado and New Zealand, respectively). Others are warmly invited to contribute as well. This session, each member's time will be limited for spontaneous contributions (in the form of brief comments, or 2-5 min. for more extended travel stories, with or without photos), but do not worry. If there is interest, we will launch a group on travel in which people could share much fuller information on what must be a rich trove of travel experiences in ARRUF members' lives.VIEW TEMPTING TRAVEL "TRAILER" HERE!
READ ABOUT RETIRED FACULTY AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN PAUL HOND'S "THE SMART PERSON'S GUIDE TO AGING," Interest groups and collaboration are the secrets to their success.
Reproduced with permission from The Columbia Magazine, Spring 2020. Artwork by Kyle T. Webster / Courtesy of Columbia Magazine."
THE ARRUF INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR'S NOTEBOOK (READ THE ENTIRE NOTE HERE)
. . . . As you all know, ARRUF Spring trip to Seville this May had to be postponed. . . . I am looking forward to retaking this project next year to finally host our International ARRUF trip. I will keep you posted with my notes in this newsletter. Meanwhile, enjoy these two video clips: https://youtu.be/gpfIOaQ89oE ; https://youtu.be/6Y-fK-rBP5Y
Dr. Victoria Arbizu-Sabater is ARRUF’s Honorary International Ambassador in Spain
IMAGINE YOUR FUTURE
Volunteers Wanted for Committee Co-Chairs and Candidates for the Summer Election of a New Director
ARRUF runs on shared responsibilities. Having a system of shared leadership positions ensures that as individuals occasionally have to turn full-time attention to care of others or health challenges, another person is there to continue the club function. Three committees will need new co-chairs for the 2020-2021 academic year. It is better if people agree to serve a two-year term, but one-year commitments are also gratefully accepted. Committees needing co-chairs are Membership, Activities, and Benefits and Privileges.
As you may have noted, the first Benefits and Privileges Committee succeeded in fostering changes in the library policies for retired faculty. Their survey is now two years old; we need an update!
Want to get involved in this pleasant project or volunteer for another committee position? Send your name to Coreen Kovacs by way of ARRUF.invites@rice.edu.
ALL HAT AND NO COWBOY?
Finally, the Houston Rodeo had to close early for the first time this year because of the pandemic. But if you're feeling nostalgic and a bit whimsical, read on:
The Houston Rodeo as seen by an ARRUF Memoir Writer. Read now and talk about it at the Memoir Writers ZOOM Meeting on August 14th, 10:00 a.m. CDT
MISSED THE MARCH MEETING ON HEARING LOSS?
We have a few extra copies of the Harvard University Medical School Publication on Coping with Hearing Loss. Ask to have one mailed to you by sending a note to ARRUF.invites@rice.edu.
Birdwatching? On-line Museum trips? Travel Discussions? Being a US Friend to an international student?
Send us your ideas for programs and fun at arruf.invites@rice.edu!
* Painting at Top: "RHUBARB RISING" by ANDREA DOUGHTIE
ARRUF Member Andrea Doughtie now lives in Utica, NY. In addition to her art projects, Andrea enjoys long walks and close inspection of natural phenomena, which have featured prominently in her paintings.