ARCnews June11 draft - Senior College ·

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Update on Programs and Services for Retired Faculty and Librarians

etirement Information Sessions are presented annually by the Office of the Vice-Provost,

Faculty and Academic Life. All faculty and librarians within ten years of their normal retirement date are invited. The first session focuses on benefits and pensions, and while this year’s presentation was not videotaped, the 2010 recording is still relevant and well worth watching: http://mediacast.ic.utoronto.ca/20100420-VPP/index.htm#. Retirement Information Session #2 focuses on services and programs. Held on Thursday, April 28 at Governing Council Chambers, it comprised presentations by: Peter Russell (Co-Chair, ARC Board

of Management; Principal, Senior College)

Jack Stevenson (President, RALUT) Doug Creelman (Past President,

RALUT) Suzan Abu Shakra (Office of the

Provost, Faculty and Academic Life) Keithann Newton (Benefits and

Pension Specialist) Rosanne Lopers Sweetman, CAO,

Faculty of Physical Education and Health

Kaye Francis (Manager, Family Care Office)

In this issue of ARC News, the information shared at the session will be published to create an easily accessible and up-to-date reference for current and future retirees.

Organizations That Look Out For Retirees UTFA—The University of Toronto Faculty Association negotiates pension and benefits on our behalf, with help from RALUT members who serve actively on the negotiating team. To remain part of UTFA costs $50/year—a real bargain. There are four retiree members elected to serve on the UTFA Council, where they represent our needs. http://www.utfa.org/ CAUT—The Canadian Association of University Teachers represents us all at the national level, and one of the ongoing tasks of retiree associations is to keep reminding CAUT that all academics will some day be retirees, and that the requirements and policies that are developed with pre-retired academics in mind will ultimately and inevitably come to bear on them in their retirement years. Through UTFA we have a voice at CAUT. http://www.caut.ca/ CURAC—The College and University Retiree Associations of Canada is the umbrella group of Canadian associations. Founded several years ago at a meeting at UofT, CURAC has 35 member associations. It holds an annual meeting where best practices regarding retiree affairs are shared and discussed, and information relating to retirement, health, finances, housing, and so forth

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ARC’s Bi-Monthly Newsletter • Volume 2, Issue 4 • June 2011

ARC News

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are shared. RALUT is a member of CURAC. http://www.curac.ca/ AROHE—The Association of Retiree Organizations in Higher Education is the North American umbrella group of retiree organizations. RALUT also belongs to this, and through RALUT, UofT retirees are represented. They meet every other year, with a rich program of material for their member associations to bring home. http://www.arohe.org/ Doug Creelman, Past President, RALUT

Presentation on RALUT To allow time for questions and discussion, I shall be brief. Much of what I could say can be found in the three documents I have distributed: an information card, with telephone and web URL contact information, a RALUT pamphlet with an enrolment form, and a brief history of RALUT.

I shall answer three questions: 1. What is RALUT? 2. What has RALUT done? 3. Why should I join RALUT?

First, what is RALUT? “RALUT” stands for Retired Academics and Librarians of the University of Toronto. (Senior administrators and pre-retirees may join, too.) Earlier this week it celebrated its tenth birthday with substantial achievements and spin-offs under its belt.

Our body of retirees is primarily an advocacy group concerned to protect and advance the interests of its members, especially, but not limited to, their pensions and benefits.

Last year RALUT incorporated as a not-for-profit, non-charitable corporation without shares under the laws of Ontario. Why?

This allows us to advocate vigorously without putting the finances of its individual members at risk from law suits. The only thing at risk would be the assets of the corporation itself—some $50,000, our “war-chest” for contingencies. We have also purchased at modest cost directors’ insurance to protect our Board of Directors. We are girded for battle, if battles there may be in an uncertain world.

Since charities cannot engage in advocacy, we are not a charity. However, we do have a Commemorative Initiative that provides scholarships. The fund is administered through the University using its charitable status. This has been a very successful contribution to the needs of our University’s students.

We do not only take; we give, and we contribute through a variety of means, such as ARC and Senior College, as explained by Peter Russell. We unite with others, nationally and internationally, through such organizations as CURAC and AROHE, as explained by Doug Creelman.

Most important, we have very tight and fundamentally important relations with UTFA, which is in effect our bargaining agent with the administration. Note well that we have RALUT members on the UTFA Council and the UTFA Executive and, most recently, a member (Helen Rosenthal our former Pensions Chair) on the new Pensions Committee of Governing Council. These are some of the ways in which we exercise our influence on events.

Second, what has RALUT done? The list is too long for me to recount in full here, so I refer you to the two page list of RALUT highlights, prepared by our Vice-President of Operations, Diane Henderson. I shall mention only two,



one at the time of our foundation, the other a most recent issue.

RALUT came into existence ten years ago over concerns that our defined benefit pension might be converted into a defined contribution plan and that retirees might be effectively shut out of UTFA. Neither has happened so far, but we are still on guard.

Most recently, there have been concerns over the underfunded state of our pension fund. In particular, there was concern that the SRA (Supplementary Retirement Allowance) would be put in jeopardy. We worked hard on this issue. The upshot is that we have obtained what I shall call “letters of comfort,” one from the President and Provost and the other from the President of UTFA giving a moral commitment that they have no intention of shutting down the SRA. Under the strictures of the Canada Revenue Agency regarding registered pension funds, this seems the best outcome that can reasonably be obtained at present.

Third, why should I join RALUT? Let me be blunt: Do you care about your pension and benefits? Surely you do. If you don’t care, who will? If not now, when?

Can you safeguard your pension and benefits on your own as an individual? Not likely. But there is strength in numbers. Join RALUT to gain the support and resources of your colleagues.

I am often asked, “Is my pension safe? Are my benefits safe?” My answers are: Probably your pension is very safe, if

you are a current or near retiree. However, last year we did lose some of our protection against inflation—the so-called “augmentation” of a quarter of one percent of the CPI, which is an ex gratia (non-obligatory)

payment—under an arbitrated settlement with the University. We are fighting to get augmentation restored to 100% of CPI.

Probably your benefits are safe. But our benefits plan is a very generous one and there could be attempts to reduce coverage and/or increase premiums somewhat.

Mark this well: RALUT is your friendly watchdog keeping a sharp eye on both issues.

Sometimes people say to me, “Don’t give me this stuff about probability. I want to know whether my pension and benefits are safe, yes or no.” My answer has been to tell a story, which I shall repeat here, as I have stated it in my column on the RALUT Reporter.

The English philosopher, Bertrand Russell, once told a parable about a rooster in order to illustrate a problem about probabilities.

Every day at first light the rooster would crow, the sun would rise, and the farmer would give him grain. On the basis of past experience, he thought that this would continue. Well, you know what happened. One day at first light the rooster crowed, the sun rose, and then the farmer came out—and chopped off his head.

Where did the rooster go wrong? He confused correlations with causation: his crowing did not cause the sun to rise. He assumed that the future would resemble the past—not an entirely bad guess, provided we are prepared for the exceptions that do occur from time to time—the black swans out at six sigma, such as the world financial crisis that occurred in 2008. Most important, he failed to consider the wider context of his life and the motives and propensities of farmers.



Academic Retiree Centre Featured in

The Bulletin Both co-Chairs of the ARC Board of Management, Edith Hillan (Vice-Provost, Faculty and Academic Life) and Peter Russell (University Professor Emeritus) were interviewed in an article about the Centre published in the Bulletin on Thursday, June 23, 2011. The article, “Retirees Remain Connected through Centre,” was written by Anjum Nayyar. Read it online at: http://www.news.utoronto.ca/campus-news/retirees-remain-connected-through-centre.html

If you create visual art (photographs, paintings, drawings), here is an opportunity for you to showcase your work at ARC for an appreciative audience of your peers. The Art Committee of the Academic Retiree Centre is now accepting submissions of artwork from retired faculty, clinical faculty, librarians and senior administrators to be exhibited at the centre on a rotating basis. Submissions can be made by email and will be approved on an ongoing basis throughout the year for showing periods of one to four months. Please submit a maximum of seven jpg image(s) of your work to [email protected] with a subject heading of ARC Art Submissions with the following information included in the body of the email message: your name, phone number, short biography, titles of works, dimensions, and media.

Let us not make the same mistakes. Our pensions and benefits issues with our University occur in a wider context of fiscal deficits, sovereign debt problems and widespread restiveness among citizens that do not have the protections, funded at bottom by the public purse, which we have at present.

I know that we human beings crave certainty and simplicity. We welcome simple optimism and hate pessimism. I cannot, in good conscience, offer these commodities in any simple form.

What I offer instead is realism rather than blind hope and jejune optimism. Let us consider the known facts, consider the possible scenarios and their probabilities, and devise plans to deal with the contingencies. Then, so armed, and with the joint expertise and wisdom of our colleagues available by joining RALUT, we can address the future with confidence and realistic optimism.

Jack Stevenson, Past President, RALUT



Family Care Office The Family Care Office (FCO) has a staff of four who help current students, staff and faculty and their families with any family-related matter. FCO services are available only to current faculty and librarians, not to retirees. Our office provides information, guidance, and referrals on a broad range of family matters. This can include information on child care and elder care issues, balancing work and family life, divorce and bereavement. We provide workshops, support groups and events on these topics and we are also available for individual appointments which would always remain confidential. We don’t provide personal counselling but will make an appropriate referral. FCO services are available only to current faculty and librarians, not to retirees. However, in planning for retirement, our office’s assistance with issues related to aging and retirement are helpful to many. To understand our service better, here is an example of how individuals have used the Family Care Office in the past. A faculty member came to talk to us when she thought her father-in-law might have Alzheimer’s. She was already currently in a caregiving role for her mother who was frail but was managing to live in her own home. She and her husband were feeling the stress of this caregiving role and they were the closest family to both of their respective parents. At the Family Care Office, we provided resources: a book from our library on ‘Understanding Difficult Behaviours’ produced by the Alzheimer’s Society; telephone counselling offered by the Society; workshops on seniors and

safety in the home, family dynamics and how to utilize the CCAC (Community Care Access Centre); and information on home health care agencies. In terms of elder care, many of us now are caring for aging relatives and have also starting to wonder about our own personal issues as we get older. Some of us are in the Sandwich Generation. Workshops offered in the past include: Understanding the Normal Aging

Process

Exploring Senior Housing Options

Legal Issues and Estate Planning

Stress Management for Caregivers FCO hosted an Elder Care Fair which included displays from organizations such as Alzheimer Society of Toronto, Ontario Seniors Secretariat, Toronto Community Care Access Centre and more. FCO has a library with materials ranging from infant care and pregnancy to gay and lesbian parenting to caregiving for an aging family member. Contact the Family Care Office for assistance by telephone, email, website, appointments, or just drop-in. Our brochures are available with our details. Family Care Office Koffler Student Services Centre 214 College St., Main Floor (416) 978-0951 email: [email protected] http://www.familycare.utoronto.ca

Kaye Francis, Manager Family Care Office



Joint Membership Plan http://www.utoronto.ca/jointplan/

The Joint Membership Plan is a unique partnership of services and programs offered at the Athletic Centre/Varsity Centre, the Faculty Club and Hart House. The plan is offered by the U of T Human Resources Department in order to expand opportunities for fellowship, fitness and enjoyment of campus life for all employees and pensioners. From recreation to relaxation, to culture and fine food, the Joint Membership Plan offers unmatched diversity and value. To sign up, complete the Enrollment Application for Joint Membership form; pick one up from your HR office, or download from the web at http://www.hrandequity.utoronto.ca/Assets/ben/forms/jointmembership.pdf. Please note that all three facilities offer individual memberships as well as the more economical joint membership.

The Faculty Club on Willcocks Street just east of Spadina is best-known as a great place to dine, convene a meeting or host a catered reception. Enjoy an excellent meal with superb wines from the wine cellar. With its historic Main Dining Room, spacious front lounge with fireplace, original Group of Seven works on exhibit, the accessible main floor continues to pay homage to tradition and history while serving as an inner city oasis for members and their guests. Facilities include a casual pub on the lower level, and in summer, a shaded outdoor patio, for a choice of seven different locales. Meals at the Faculty Club are meticulously prepared by expert chefs and served with warmth and professionalism. The Faculty Club is a member of the Association of College and University Clubs (ACUC). This affiliation provides a link to an international community of members only clubs on or near the campuses of the world’s leading colleges and universities. As a member of a college, faculty or University club participating in the Association, you enjoy reciprocal privileges at clubs throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia. Over 100 clubs worldwide participate in the Association’s program facilitating academic interaction by opening their doors to club members visiting from other campuses. For further details, visit the ACUC Web site at www.acuclubs.org. Privileged Play is a golf membership program that provides exceptional benefits at extraordinary public golf courses across Canada including Glen Abbey, Lionhead, Angus Glen and many more. Benefits of a Privileged Play Premium golf membership include a free round of golf (when playing with a full-paying friend) at the participating course of your choice, 20% off regular green & cart fees at all times, invitations to special events, incredible golf travel opportunities and more. Faculty Club members can join for only $99 + tax (regularly $275 for a first year membership). For more information, click here. Members’ Discounts for Faculty Club Members include a wide variety of products and services, from florists to airport limousine service, as well as affinity programs. Details are posted on the Faculty Club website. http://www.facultyclub.utoronto.ca/membenefits/memdiscounts.html Contact Leanne Pepper, General Manager (416) 978-6325 [email protected]



Hart House Offers a separate reduced rate “Over 60 Athletic Membership” (4-month minimum). Membership includes access to athletic facilities, courses and workshops, at Hart House, and Clubs & Committees.

http://www.harthouse.utoronto.ca/ Email: [email protected] Athletic Centre/Varsity Centre Enroll through the Membership Plan or individually. Individually, membership rates are reduced for Seniors 65-79 and 80+. Two drop-in fitness classes are especially popular with older adults:

Fun & Fit Movements and music for the class are selected with the active older adult in mind, but all ages are welcome. The workout includes a low impact aerobic component and strength and conditioning exercises using a variety of equipment. The pace of the class is light and steady yet challenging, and the social interaction makes the workout supportive and fun. Note, the Friday Fun & Fit class is inspired with a Nia yoga flair. Observe a class or jump right in. We offer this class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:10am to 11:55am, September through June.

Aquafit Classes can accommodate all fitness levels. Participants will improve cardiovascular and muscular strength; develop core conditioning, body awareness and body composition. Aquafit eliminates the impact to joints and reduces stress on the heart. Participants do not have to be strong swimmers, but should be aware that classes are held in deep water. Buoyancy belts are provided.

Membership Information: http://www.physical.utoronto.ca/FacilitiesAndMemberships.aspx Drop-In Programs/Schedule: http://www.physical.utoronto.ca/FitnessAndRecreation/Drop_In_Programs.aspx Registered Programs/Schedule: http://www.physical.utoronto.ca/FitnessAndRecreation/Registered_Programs.aspx http://www.physical.utoronto.ca/Index.aspx Contact Ranka Van Voorst, Assistant Programs Manager, Fitness, 416-978-8338, [email protected].

UofT Continuing Services for Retirees Retirees continue to have full access to their utoronto email address, wireless access on campus, library borrowing privileges, and on-line journal access. They can continue using UofT space for work, in a shared office, or at the Academic Retiree Centre. With permission of their department, they may continue use of UofT mail services and a UofT telephone number. Perry Hall at Robarts Library is happy to answer questions about UofT connectivity and library services. (416) 978-0942 [email protected]

University of Toronto Bulletin Retirees can keep in touch with the Bulletin, published monthly, by reading the latest issue online at http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bulletin.html

A companion to the print version, the eBulletin is emailed twice a week. Subscribe with a request to [email protected] or access it online at http://www.news.utoronto.ca/ebull/ebulletin-archives.html



Point of Prevention J.D. Stewart MD HonBSc DECH CCFP MACOEM

A VERY SHARP POINT OF PROTECTION: “Don’t Wait…Vaccinate!” Canada is very good when it comes to programs for vaccinating newborns, children, native peoples and Inuit. Just check Health Canada’s website. It is woefully wanting when it comes to those over sixty. In 2006 an effective vaccine was licensed for “shingles”, medically know as Herpes Zoster, not to be confused with Herpes Simplex or Genital Herpes, although of the same family of viruses. Herpes Zoster produces a very different set of symptoms that, for some, result in life-long disability, usually in the form of chronic debilitating pain and loss of function. Painful symptoms are now known to recur up to three times in some people where their first untreated unprotected shingles attach produced pain for over 30 days.

Shingles is a delayed manifestation of what appears to be the same virus that in children produces “Chicken Pox” that essentially infects the entire population, whether one can or can not recall being clinically diagnosed. After the “Chicken Pox” symptoms clear the virus or at least is DNA appears to ‘hideout’ in the ganglion of spinal nerve roots, presumably “suppressed” by our immune system until something, some set of circumstances, allows the virus to replicate where they travel down the axons, nerve fibers, of the ganglion to

reach the area of skin or, more rarely, other organs (e.g. eyes), where their presence produces inflammation, pain and usually, blistering. In some, the pain persists after the ‘skin’ lesions clear, producing what is called “post herpetic neuralgia” that can last for the rest of their lives.

Treatment: If the condition is diagnosed early, within 72 hours / 3 days of the first appearance of the skin manifestations the anti-viral, Famvir, at 500 mg every eight hours for seven days will in people with a normal functioning immune system markedly reduce the severity and recovery time. The key is for both the patient and the physician is to have a high index of suspicion, particularly in individuals 60 years and over.

Prevention: The vaccine is for most people and the community clearly the best route. Not currently covered by Ontario’s provincial health Plan, covered by most private health plans, covered by Medicare schedule “D” in the United States, it currently costs about $180.00 with a prescription from your local pharmacy when they have it.

To be continued, I will in the August edition provide many more details from a medical and political perspective.

New Knox College Summer Program Formerly offered in conjunction with Elderhostel, Knox College is running summer programs in August this year. Registration choices include up to four courses, and optional lunch. August 8-12 Course A Africa - A Reality Check Lecturer: Sean Hawkins August 8-12 Course B Public and Private Tyrannies Lecturer: Mary Nyquist August 15-19 Course C Marco Polo & Contemporary

Travelers Lecturer: Domenico Pietropaolo

August 15-19 Course D Astrobiology - Life in the Universe Lecturer: John Percy For more information and to register: http://www.knox.utoronto.ca/summer-program/



A FIELD TRIP TO JOKERS HILL

by Joe Whitney I wonder how many members of the UT community realize that the University owns a large tract of land within a 100 km of the St George campus that is internationally recognized as a leading ecological research centre. The name of that land is Jokers Hill or, as it is now called, the Koffler Scientific Reserve (KSR). On Saturday, June 11 a group of some twenty Senior College and UTAGA (University of Toronto Association of Geography Alumni) boarded a yellow school bus for a ride to Jokers Hill. On our arrival we were met by the director and associate director, Profs. Arthur Weis and Robin Marushia, respectively. We were welcomed into the Kofflers former residence, a beautiful building on the highest point of the estate where Arthur Weis gave a brief introduction to the history and purpose of the reserve. He answered first the question that most visitors ask: ‘Why Jokers Hill?’ It turns out that the Koffler family (of Shoppers Drug Mart fame) who donated the property to the university were great equestrian lovers and the story goes that Joker, their favourite horse, loved to stand on the hill where the house is now located and view the countryside around. The 350 hectare KSR was originally purchased from the McLaughlin (General Motors, Canada) family in 1969 and served for many years as a recreational home for the Kofflers and an international equestrian centre. The property entertained many famous visitors including Prince Philip and the Trudeaus. The Kofflers commissioned the famous Canadian architect,

Raymond Murayama to design a gazebo that now stands as a focal point of one of the small lakes on the property. The Kofflers were well aware of the ecological value of their estate lying on the Oak Ridges moraine and including a unique variety of geological and ecological sites with old growth forest, white and red pine, former farm fields and wetland areas with their associated diversity of bird and animal species. Because of the property's natural endowment, the Ontario Government designated the KSR as both an Earth Sciences Area of Natural Scientific

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Interest (ANSI) and a Life Sciences ANSI. In the early 90s, the Kofflers began negotiating with the provincial government to donate parts of their property for conservation purposes but the province declined citing financial pressures. In 1994, the then president of UT, Robert Prichard, was dining with the Kofflers at Jokers Hill and when he heard the story that the provincial government did not have the resources to manage the property he immediately proposed that UT should take it over. And the deal was settled with a handshake! The university finally took possession of the estate in 1995 and the Kofflers leased back the main house until 2006 when it became part of the UT property and the director’s residence. One of the members of our group, Ruth Pike, had been on the Governing Council during some of the events described above and she attested to the close scrutiny given to the deal by the Council. We then set out on a short ramble through the property with distant thunder and a shower accompanying us most of the way. We visited the ponds and Murayama’s gazebo and a number of the scientific experiments being undertaken. One was studying the effects of

simulated climate change on the growing rates of various crops; another involved the pollinating and nesting activities of different varieties and sizes of bumble bees. On our return we enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by a local firm. During our visit we also learned that every year more that 500 students visit

the reserve from all over Canada and from many different countries and are joined by over 20 principal investigators along with their graduate students. Their work has produced nearly a hundred papers in refereed publications and the visionary gift by the Koffler family has now become a site of internationally recognized ecological significance.

New Diagnostic Criteria and Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease Submitted by Jacob Kraicer Three expert international workgroups convened by the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) have issued the first new criteria and guidelines to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in 27 years. The new guidelines update, refine and broaden widely used guidelines published in 1984 by the Alzheimer’s Association (then known as the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association) and the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (now known as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). See the full article with links to the papers at http://www.alz.org/research/diagnostic_criteria/overview.asp

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Emeritus/Emerita Status Refer to the Academic Administrative Procedures Manual, Section XI Professor Emeritus Emerita, available on the web at: http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/procedures/emeritus.htm.

The Policy on Appointment of Professor Emeritus stipulates that a faculty member who retires at the rank of Professor may elect to have the status of Professor Emeritus conferred. This Policy has been revised recently so that an individual appointed to this rank may elect to have the title of Professor Emerita (see PDAD&C #3, 2003-04; Attachment #1). Faculty members who retire early and who hold the rank of Professor at retirement are also eligible for appointment as Professor Emeritus or Emerita. Faculty who have held a named chair are also eligible to request that their emeritus title include the name of the chair. For example, the “Smith Professor” could become the “Smith Professor Emeritus.” Such titles require the approval of the Provost.

Individuals who are re-appointed to a post-retirement position, whether full time or part-time, are eligible to hold the rank of Professor Emeritus or Emerita as well as the recommended rank for the teaching position if different.

In June, the names of Full Professors who have retired or are due to retire or early retire in July and who wish to have Professor Emeritus or Emerita status should be forwarded to the Provost’s Office:

Step 1. Full Professors should submit a formal request to the Chair to be appointed as Professor Emeritus or Emerita.

Step 2. A completed Request for Appointment as Professor Emeritus/Emerita (see Attachment #2) should be forwarded via the Dean to the Provost’s Office by May 31.

Step 3.The award of Professor Emeritus or Emerita will be reported for information to the Academic Board.

Step 4.After review by the Academic Board, newly appointed emeritus professors receive a letter from the President advising them of their status.

Step 5. The Business Officer should update the individual’s status in HRIS. - Revised Policy on Appointment of Professor Emeritus PDAD and C 3 2003 2004 Attachment 1 - Request for Appointment as Professor EmeritusEmerita Attachment 2

2011-12 Mentorship Program for High School Students Organized by the office of Student Recruitment, Faculty of Arts & Science, the Mentorship Program for high school students in grades 11 and 12, aged 17 and 18 is calling for applications. The program matches top local students with faculty members from January-April to work on research projects.

This popular program has been running since 1986, and has placed over 3,000 students with faculty mentors over the years. The experience is a positive one for both faculty member and student; a

poster session at the end of the year celebrates the achievements of all involved, together with teachers, family and friends.

A professor may apply for one or more students annually—one professor applies for 50 every year! Retired professors involved in research projects are welcome to apply. Promoted actively to schools within 1/2 hour commuting distance to campus, the program attracts 300 student applicants per year, who apply to specific projects. 130 students are chosen to take part in some 25 research projects.

Your help is needed in promoting this program to your faculty for the 2011-12



academic year. Faculty members have flexibility as to the nature of the project (providing it is not strictly clerical) and number of required hours; some chose to work with a single student while others prefer a small team. The quality of students who participate in this program is exceptionally high; the application process is rigorous, with high school transcripts, letters of reference, and statements of interest required of all applicants.

This program appeals to faculty who enjoy challenging bright high school students and who are interested in mentoring some of Toronto’s brightest young minds. A manual of current

mentorship projects will be produced over the summer and mailed to schools in early September.

Anyone interested in participating in this program should contact: Mahvish Ashraf, Recruitment Officer, Faculty of Arts & Science, (416) 946-3772 [email protected].

Applications are due August 15, 2011. More information on the program, including last year’s Manual of Mentorship Projects, can be found on the web at: http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/futurestudents/pdfs-for-events-and-news/mentorship__final_low%20res.pdf

Interview with John Percy, Professor Emeritus, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Participant of the High School Mentorship Program

ARC: I’ve just spoken to Nicola Woods (Associate Director, Student Recruitment, Faculty of Arts & Science) about the high school mentorship program. She mentioned that you have been involved with the program for many years, and I would love to share some of your thoughts and comments about the program with ARC News readers. May I ask you when you began mentoring in this program?

John Percy: When the program began in 1987.

ARC: And what is it about this program that keeps you coming back?

John Percy: It’s a win-win-win situation; my students carry out and publish an original research project, and therefore contribute to science. Because of the nature of the project, they develop and integrate their science and math skills, motivated by doing real science, with real data. The university benefits, because it reflects well. This year, two of my students also did an outreach event at the Sanderson Branch, Toronto Public Library, to about 70 grade 6 students from a relatively disadvantaged community.

ARC: It is obviously some ‘work’ for professors to take part. On the other hand, the students are among the best and brightest. Does the relationship carry over to students coming to study with you at UofT later on?

John Percy: A few do, but many go to the best universities elsewhere. But many keep in touch.

My wife Maire (Professor Emeritus, Physiology) has also mentored students in this program for many years, and has success stories even better than mine!

Nicola has been a wonderful support for the program over the years!



Why Become a Fellow of Senior College? AAdddd aa nneeww ddiimmeennssiioonn ttoo yyoouurr

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Senior College he University of Toronto’s Senior College supports and fosters the scholarly, professional and

creative activities of retired faculty, librarians and senior administrators. Its mission is to serve as a beacon for intellectual exchange, academic and cultural activities for collegial interaction among members of the university’s retiree community.

enior College currently has 90 Fellows and 7 Registered Members and has just enjoyed its second year

of weekly programs, as well as hosting the 6th Annual Senior College Symposium. Please check the websites for more details: http://www.faculty.utoronto.ca/arc/college.htm.

or http://sites.google.com/site/seniorcollegecommunications/

Senior College accepts membership applications in two categories: (1) Fellow or (2) Registered Member. The membership year begins in January.

For more information, contact Senior College at (416) 978-7553 or [email protected].

CURAC The 9th Annual Conference and AGM of CURAC (College and University Retiree Associations of Canada) was held in Regina May 11-13th, 2011. Senior College Communications Coordinator, Ken Rea attended as the RALUT delegate and also reported to many other attendees on developments at ARC and Senior College. His brief report on the conference is available as a PDF at: http://individual.utoronto.ca/kenrea/documents/regina_conference.pdf

Fall 2011 Senior College Programs at the Faculty Club Tuesday, September 27 UDR: Ezra Schabas “The Importance of Being Canadian: The Distinctive Role of Sir Ernest MacMillan in Canadian Music” Tuesday, October 4, Main Lounge: Barry Wellman, “The Triple Revolution: The Turn to Social networks; The Personal Internet Revolution; The Always-Accessible Mobile Revolution” Tuesday, October 11, Main Lounge: Cornelia Baines “How Rumours, Lies, and Gullibility Impact Health Behaviours” (Suzanne Hidi, Chair) Tuesday, October 18, Main Lounge: Giuliana Katz “Pinter and Pirandello: An Examination of Pinter’s Script for Losey’s Film/accident” Tuesday, October 25, Main Lounge: Metta Spencer “The Russian Quest for Peace and Democracy” Tuesday, November 1, UDR: Paul Kingston “The End of Middle East Authoritarianism(s)? Explaining Divergent Outcomes” Tuesday, November 8, Main Lounge: Wayne Sumner “Assisted Death” Tuesday, November 15, Main Lounge: Trevor Levere “Dr. Thomas Beddoes: Science, Medicine and Politics in the Time of the French and Chemical Revolutions” Tuesday, November 22, Main Lounge: Kathleen O’Connell “The Later Years of Rabindranath Tagore: Forever Young at 150” Tuesday, November 29, Main Lounge: Peter Hallett “What the Heck? Solitary Bees and Wasps” (Harold Atwood, Chair)

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RSVPs for Senior College programs will be accepted online beginning in September, 2011 at http://www.faculty.utoronto.ca/arc/college.htm



ARC Board of Management Chair: Edith Hillan, Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life Co-Chair: Peter Russell, University Professor Emeritus, Political Science David Cook, Principal, Victoria College John Dirks, President and Scientific Director, The Gairdner Foundation; Professor Emeritus of Medicine Sara-Jane Finlay, Director, Faculty & Academic Life Esme Fuller-Thomson, Professor, cross-appointed to faculties of Social Work, Medicine and Nursing George Luste, President, University of Toronto Faculty Association Marian Press, Academic Librarian, OISE Library Jack Stevenson, President, RALUT TBA, Retired Librarian, University of Toronto Library

Staff Pat Doherty, Administrator

Volunteers Douglas Creelman, Rick Hayward, Alexander Ma, Yue Ren, John David Stewart, Mary Vohryzek, Ke Kiana Xu., Shanwei Zhu.

ARCNews Submissions To submit items for publication in ARCNews, forward to Pat Doherty, editor, at [email protected].

ARCNews is issued bimonthly:

October December February April June August

All issues of ARCNews are available online at http://www.faculty.utoronto.ca/arc.

Academic Retiree Centre University of Toronto

256 McCaul Street, Suite 412 Toronto, ON M5T 1W5

Tel. (416) 978-7553 email [email protected]

On The ARC Shelves? o you have a spare copy of a recent publication? Consider donating it to ARC for the Retiree Publications

Shelves. Please sign your donation first! http://www.faculty.utoronto.ca/arc/Shelves.htm

Credit Due ARC operates with much community effort and support, and gratefully acknowledges with thanks: RALUT for stocking the kitchen with coffee,

tea, sugar and milk on an ongoing basis.

About the Academic Retiree Centre (ARC) ARC has comfortable study carrels, secure lockers, and a kitchenette. It’s a friendly and comfortable space created for UofT retired academics, librarians, and senior administrators. Keep in touch by subscribing to the ARC listserv: email your request to [email protected]. We’re looking for volunteers so please contact us if you’re interested!

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Documents

ARCnews June11 draft - Senior College ·