1. HONORING ACHIEVEMENTS. At the annual “Retirees Recognition Ceremony” – see the opening paragraph of this manifesto – a list of post-retirement accomplishments by distinguished retirees could be included in the printed program. If every department or college were to be asked to identify and honor their own former members who had accomplished the most since retirement, and provide a few lines of tribute, this information would not only gratify those who were listed, but remind the new retirees that the University seriously hoped they would accept the invitation to view it as their “second home.”
2. NEW RETIREES ORIENTATION. Old retirees have by now typically established patterns of life that pay scant attention to UH and it is not easy to attract them into new and fruitful roles that are helpful to the University. By contrast, new retirees are on the verge of making decisions about how they want to spend the rest of their extended life expectancy. FRAUHM http://mysite.verizon.net/frauhm invites them to participate in a workshop to meet those who can help them make good choices. The first such workshop is scheduled for May 5, 2005, the day after the official Retirees Recognition Ceremony when new retirees are thanked for their services. Invited participants include OLLI http://www.all.hawaii.edu and the Senior Citizen Visitor Program http://www.hawaii.edu/diversity/about/programs/scvp.htm which open doors for lifelong learning. Other opportunities involve service to the University in many capacities, participation in the University Club (now just embryonic) and roles in the Centennial Celebration (now being planned). Another possibility might emulate the annual New Faculty Orientation now offered by The UH Office of Faculty Development (OFDAS): http://www.ofdas.hawaii.edu/programs/nfo/index.html. A parallel “New Retirees De-Briefing” would permit learning from retirees as well as offering them interesting options like those outlined above.

3. FACULTY DEVELOPMENT. OLLI could also be used, perhaps in conjunction with OFDAS, to support inter-disciplinary faculty workshops in which participants from different disciplines and colleges meet together to discover links between their perspectives that greatly enhance their understanding of our changing world. Both materials prepared for them and their own teaching capabililties would thereby be enhanced. Retirees could play a key role in organizing and leading such workshops. As an example, consider the record of the Global Studies Workshop that I organized, through OLLI, in 2003: http://webdata.soc.hawaii.edu/fredr/GSschedule.htm/
4. BOR CANDIDATES. In two bills now before the State Senate, a Candidate Advisory Council has been proposed that calls for a Constitutional change to require the Governor to select new BOR members from a small list endorsed by a representative council: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/sb1256_.htm; http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/sb1257_.htm. Prospects for passage are promising. Faculty members interested in serving on the Board might be asked to prepare statements about their own qualifications and proposals for making UH a better university. These documents could be used not only as evidence to support their candidacy but they could be published on the Web to sustain a public discourse about the problems of UH and possible solutions.
5. GRAY INTERSECT NETWORKS. A more proactive role for retirees can be formed by those interested in developing and thinking about any significant academic problems, including those of the University. They could create independent group discussions, both face-to-face and on the Internet. Some ideas about this possibility are elaborated at: http://webdata.soc.hawaii.edu/fredr/CLUH.htm#2a. The phrase, “Gray Intersect Network” (GIN) was used to name a kind of active group that could be formed by interested retirees. The RETIREES LIST is available as a mechanism to recruit participants – see: http://webdata.soc.hawaii.edu/fredr/RetList.htm. Admittedly, this list is quite incomplete, but every effort is now being made to expand it. To appreciate the potential size and signficance of the cadre of UH retirees, take a look at the list of emeriti posted at: http://www.catalog.hawaii.edu/personnel/emeriti/default.htm. Of course GINs need not be limited to retirees – current faculty and others, including former regents, community members, could be added. The members of the Association of Emeritus Regents are listed at: http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/bor/emeritus.html. Having helped to run UH, their experience should be especially relevant. Unlike situations in which retirees may just be added to existing structures, a GIN would be constituted de novo by retirees willing to initiate and develop their own independent agenda, while also inviting non-retirees to join them. They are likely to do so, however, only if UH expresses receptivity to the idea and will seriously consider the results.

VII. CONCLUSION. These ideas are by no means exhaustive. Others can and will be added, but they constitute a launching pad – enough real possibilities exist already. However, these opportunities cannot be actualized by retirees working alone. They all involve volunteering to do things that will help UH, but unless the University is receptive and displays willingness to facilitate and recognize these efforts, the apathy that now prevails will continue. A small investment in the ABCD project – see #V2 above – will launch the process. Without this evidence of serious intent, UH will fail to take advantage of an important and promising resource. Now is the time for action. The University faces catastrophic challenges and has new leaders willing to cultivate an active partnership with its retired faculty. Everyone will benefit and no one will lose.

Fred W. Riggs
22 March 2005