Towson University Retired Faculty Association (TURFA) Executive Committee Meeting
Minutes - July 23, 2015 - Administration Building 333
Attending: Don Forester, Annette Chappell, Ron Matlon, Ray Castaldi, David Larkin, Mary T. Casterline,
and Florence Newman (Programs and Events Committee)
Absent: Fran Bond, Peg Benner, Joe Topping, Hillary Livingstone
Meeting called to order by President Forester at 3:30 p.m.
Minutes of June 12, 2015 were approved.
Report on discussion Don, Mary and Hillary had with Joe Oster on parking and other retirement benefits.
a. Joe is in favor of a system where retirees would have to obtain vouchers in order to park on
campus. It is not clear at this time where vouchers would allow us to park.
b. Don would like to explore ways other than a voucher system.
c. Joe was reminded that we are interested in providing this benefit to TURFA members only, not
all faculty retirees.
d. Joe indicated that his group would work further on this matter and hope to get back to us with a
final report in the fall semester, 2015.
e. Other benefits being considered by the Retirement Benefits Workgroup include shuttle use,
recreation center use, wellness center use, University Store discounts, Library access, athletic
discounts, fine arts discounts, e-mail and tech support, Marriott/UClub discounts, invitations to
special on-campus events, space for retirees on campus, and more. Also, the group is looking at
the definition of "retirement."
f. Space remains a subject the Executive Committee should explore with the Retirement Benefits
Workgroup. Computers and work stations should be in that designated space.
TURFA members are reminded that they should get new One Cards in the Student Union near the ticket
office. People should indicate when getting these cards that they are faculty/professor emeritus.
Mary distributed a model of TURFA membership cards. They were examined by the committee and
approved. If possible, magnetic strips on the cards are recommended.
A request was made of Mary to arrange a meeting with representatives from Human Resources to
discuss what constitutes "retirement."
The Art Department requested that they pay TURFA membership dues for two of their retirees. The
Executive Committee gladly accepts this request, and asks that Mary or Hillary send an e-mail to all
departments, encouraging them to do likewise.
TURFA has around 50 paid members at present.
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Treasurer's Report (Ray). TURFA has a $2,295 balance in the cash account with the TU Foundation.
There have been no expenditures to date.
Programs and Events Committee Report (Florence)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Planning for the October 7 event is going well.
Claire Von Ummersen will meet with Acting Provost Maggie Reitz before the event.
The event will be free to TURFA members. There will be a $15 fee for non-TURFA members.
Florence distributed a preliminary budget for the event - reviewed and discussed.
Don will stay in touch with Bob Caret to see if he will be attending as well.
The Executive Committee asked Florence to work with her group to plan campus events for
Spring 2016. Perhaps some of these events could be coordinated with the Osher Lifelong
Learning Institute.
Scholarship Committee Report (Don reporting for Joe Topping)
a. The committee has nothing yet to report, and needs committee members.
b. It was suggested by Ron that the committee create a scholarship for a relative of a TURFA
member. Annette asked that the criteria for this scholarship be reviewed by University counsel.
Funding for this annual scholarship could come from a silent auction and possible other sources.
Dues Report (David)
a. David proposed that no pro-rated credit be given to individuals who have paid annual dues
should they decide to pay lifetime membership dues. The Executive Committee agrees.
b. The committee noted that annual dues (currently $25) run from July 1-June 30, and that no
discounts should be given to individuals who join after July 1.
New Business
a. Margaret (Peg) Benner is currently working on the first TURFA e-newsletter for Fall 2015. She is
soliciting ideas for both a title for the newsletter as well as ideas for content. The initial
newsletter, among other things, will publicize the October 7 event.
b. Discussion followed as to whether or not the spring TURFA gathering and business meeting
(including the annual election) should be in conjunction with the annual retired faculty
luncheon. The Executive Committee agreed that these should continue to be two separate
events, but hold them further apart on the calendar than they were this past spring.
c. It was agreed that the next Executive Committee meeting would be late August or early
September. Mary will send out an announcement.
Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Submitted by Ron Matlon, TURFA Secretary
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