Silver Tracks Spring 2016
Greetings from the President
The University of Maine community has a depth and breath unlike any other institution. In our mission as Maine’s public research university, we serve constituents statewide and make contributions on a global scale. Our students come from every county in Maine, and, increasingly, from out of state. UMaine employees also work in every Maine county and our more than 107,000 alumni are found
worldwide.
Our retirees are a wonderful blend of the best of these last two groups. Like alumni, you know UMaine and its potential to change lives. As former employees, your work contributed to the success of the state’s flagship university. And you continue to have a leadership role to play in the university community writ large.
UMaine counts on your experience and engagement. We hope you’ll share your extensive knowledge and UMaine with others. We also hope you’ll remain connected to the university, both as a resource and as a way to know what’s new and next.
If it has been a while since you’ve been on campus, toured our research facilities throughout the state, and talked to our faculty and students about their many community service initiatives, let me extend an invitation to you. Come to Homecoming June 7. In some ways, it’s impossible to know every facet of UMaine, but I encourage all of our constituents to explore our breadth and depth. And you are among our top ambassadors for the University of Maine.
Thank you for your continued support and for all that you do on behalf of UMaine.
President Susan J. Hunter, Ph.D.
To Your Health
As has been the Council’s custom, we asked Tony Richard of the University of Maine System to update us on changes to health insurance coverage. The news is mostly good in that there were not a lot of changes for 2016. There was no premium increase for Medicare-eligible retirees. Medicare-eligible mitigated a premium increase by an increased out-of-pocket minimum from $1500 to $2000, raising copay to $5 for PCP and for specialist copay to $20. Emergency room copay changed from $65 to $75. Two enhancements were added: Hepatitis C treatment covered at 100% and Urgent care is now covered worldwide.
For non-Medicare-eligible there was a 4.5% increase due in part to federal regulations. These increases for non-Medicare-eligible are being phased in over time through 2019. For non-Medicare-eligible, two programs were added: Best Doctors program and Telemedicine. Best Doctors provides access to world-class physicians 24-7. Telemedicine provides access to world-class physicians 24-7 who can assist with diagnosis and can write prescriptions. Participants need to register to use these programs.
Second Retiree Scholarship Awarded
There is growing interest in the scholarship established in 2013 by the President’s Council of Retired Employees with gifts from retirees of the University. This academic year there were 23 applications. The scholarship was awarded to Samuel Favreau, who is the grandson of John Blease, a longtime professional employee at the University. Samuel is a Mechanical Engineering student who is in his senior year.
The purpose of this scholarship fund is to put one-half of donors’ gifts into the endowment fund and the other half for a current award, until such time as the fund reaches $10,000. We encourage you to give to this fund so that it can be permanently endowed. Information about ways of giving can be found online.
Retiree Homecoming June 7, 2016
Plans are underway for Retiree Homecoming June 7, 2016 at Wells Conference Center on the Orono campus. This year’s featured speaker will be Dr. Heather M. Leslie, director of the Darling Marine Center in Walpole, Maine. Thanks to the generosity of Ira C. Darling, the Center has been an active hub of marine science and education by researchers and students from the University of Maine and institutions around the world since 1965.
As in the past, some 20 units and organizations that provide programs and services of interest to retirees will be on hand with information to share with us. A complimentary buffet lunch and ice cream sundae bar will be provided. Following the main event, we are offering three tour options: The Orono Bog Boardwalk located on Stillwater Avenue in Bangor, the Page Farm and Home Museum or the Advanced Structures and Composites Center on the Orono campus. Watch your mail for your invitation, which should arrive by the end of April.
Retiree Spotlight
Dr. Rosemary A. Bamford, Professor Emerita, was a member of the College of Education and Human Development Faculty for 34 years. Since retiring, she has been a member of the President’s Council of Retired Employees for 10 years serving on several committees as well as secretary. This year she decided to retire from all boards and is traveling with her husband, Mark. While she believes it is important to give back to the community, it is a pleasure to travel and participate in local activities without having to schedule around meetings.
The Barbara Hikel Retiree Award
The Hikel award is named after the late Barbara Hikel, seen here volunteering at a Combined Charitable Appeal for University Employees (CCAUE). The 2016 award will be presented at Homecoming by President Susan J. Hunter. The award honors retirees who have volunteered their time and talent to the University following retirement.
This year’s awardee is Marian Dressler. Marian retired from the University of Maine in June 2010 after approximately 21 years of service to UMaine. Marian has been an active volunteer for the women’s basketball program for many years. She is a member of the President’s Council of Retired Employees, volunteers at Buchanan Alumni House and events on campus including Commencement.
Community Outreach Events
The President’s Council of Retired Employees is expanding its efforts to enhance communication between the University of Maine and its retired employees by providing outreach to groups of retirees and friends on current University events and activities.
On May 19, 7:15 p.m. at Dirigo Pines, the Council is sponsoring a talk by Stephen Roberts, UMaine student of International Affairs and French, who will talk about his experiences during his semester at the University of Ottawa.
The Council is also working with the Penobscot Valley Senior College to co-sponsor a tour of the Darling Marine Center in early fall. More information about this event will be forthcoming.
The President’s Council of Retired Employees
Mission Statement
The Council will enhance communication between the University of Maine and the community of retired employees. The Council will encourage active involvement of retirees in the life of the University. The Council will provide advice to the University President on matters of importance to retirees.
Judith Round, Chair
Mark Anderson, Vice Chair
Harold Brown, Past Chair
Devon Storman, Secretary
Marian Dressler
Joseph Genco
Ethel Hill
Candace Jordan
Raymond Pelletier
Mike Pullen
Robert Strong
Maine’s Land Grant and Sea Grant University
The University of Maine does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquires regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, 207.581.1226. eoinfo@umit.maine.edu