November 2025 Minutes
President’s Council of Retired Employees
Friday 7 November 2025 at 8:15 am
Foster Board Room, 3rd Floor, Buchanan Alumni House and Zoom
Members: Louis Bassano, Richard Borgman (Vice Chair), Gail Dyer-Martin, Cindy Eves-Thomas (Website editor), Richard Judd (Secretary), Richard Kent, Jennifer Perry, Thomas Sandford (Chair), Claire Strickland, Althea Tibbetts
Ex Officio Members: Sarah McPartland-Good.
Minutes: Althea moved, and Louis seconded acceptance. Accepted with one correction and one abstention.
Membership: PCRE is missing a representative from the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. Tom will call ELH Dean’s office and ask for suggestions.
Hikel Award: Sarah said the call for nominations went out to University staff and employees on November 4. The Hikel Award committee is Louis, Mike, and Tom. The deadline for nominations is November 24.
Gold Card: PCRE discussed the Gold Card last month, and to date have not received word from the President’s Office on benefits. The parking office is closed on Friday. (Free parking is available with the Gold Card.) The list of benefits has been e-mailed, but some on the Council have not received it. However, the information on the website is up to date. Cindy pointed out that it was difficult to order tickets online using the card.
Retiree Homecoming: The tours for Homecoming will include the bog boardwalk (which will take up to 20 attendees), and the Page Farm and Home Museum (taking 30-35). Tom is considering asking Brad Libby to guide tours of the Littlefield Garden. Tom asked Griffin Dill at Extension about another tour of the Tick Lab. A tour of the athletic facilities is a possibility. The Green Energy building is not completed yet (a possible tour for next year.) Council discussed means of informing retirees about new buildings on the campus. There is a website listing new buildings, and Cindy will add a link on the PCRE web page. Information could also be included in the newsletter.
Newsletter: The Newsletter Subcommittee (Claire, Rich, Jen, Tom, and Rick) will meet directly after the meeting with Monique from the UM Foundation concerning schedule and other items.
Website: Cindy made minor changes to the website. She needs a photo from Jen.
Other Matters: Althea contacted vendors for the Homecoming. Louis informed the Council that starting in 2026 the Recreation Center will offer free membership for all retirees, even those without insurance coverage for the Rec Center. Other family members will receive a discount. The Council should post this on its website. This offer is not system-wide, although UMM and UMF do accept silver sneakers passes. This policy may change next year. Louis discussed the possibility of a system-wide retiree’s council. PCRE will take this up at the next meeting. Louis also mentioned that colleagues have found it difficult to access tech support. PCRE would like clarification on what classes of retirees have access to tech support and software. Claire tried to get some clarity, but apparently the tech center is not certain about the policy. PCRE discussed asking someone from IT to attend a meeting (Tom Drake?). Claire will look into it.
Adjourn: Louis moved, and Rick seconded proposal to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.