RAQ - Queen's Academic Partnership
Queen's and RAQ Sign Letter of Intent
(NOVEMBER 26, 2007) A Statement of Intent has just been signed between the Retirees' Association of Queen's (RAQ), represented by President Arlene Aish, and Queen's University, represented by Vice-Principal (Academic) Patrick Deane. This Statement proposes that a partnership be established for the mutual benefit of the University and its retired faculty and staff.
RAQ – Queen’s Academic Partnership
Report – April 2008-2009
Members: RAQ: Arlene Aish University: Patrick Deane
George Brandie Alistair MacLean
John Meisel John Holmes
Alison Morgan Bob Silverman
Joan Sherwood Kathy O'Brien - secretary
Henry Dinsdale - Chair
The document "An Academic Partnership of Retirees and Queen's University" was approved at the April 7, 2008 meeting of RAQ Executive and Council and presented for discussion at the AGM, April 28, 2008. It provides the basis for an established relationship between RAQ and the university. Subsequently, a joint committee, with representatives from RAQ and the university administration, has met quarterly. Meetings are facilitated by the office of Dr. Patrick Deane, Vice-Principal Academic.
The Partnership document listed four objectives. Those objectives serve as guideposts for Partnership initiatives as follows:
1. Organizing events that enhance the visibility of the university through lectures and workshops
The Monday Morning Forums, organized by Dr. Agnes Herzberg, continue to attract prominent speakers who address a wide range of issues.
"RAQonteur, a series of forums designed to strengthen links between Queen's and Kingston." is the description of a new RAQ initiative. The objective of these forums is to provide a vehicle for presentation and discussion of topics of mutual interest to Queen's and the community. They will be held in community settings, one each spring and fall term. The first was held in Memorial Hall in Kingston City Hall, March 24, 2009. We were fortunate in having Chancellor David Dodge lead off the series. His topic was "A Difficult Period of Transition for the Global Economy: The View from Kingston." The evening was chaired by Dr. Brian Osborne. Attendees were asked to register beforehand and Memorial Hall was full with a very attentive audience. These events are organized by a RAQ planning committee, supported by Queen's Department of Development and facilitated by City Hall staff.
2. Enhancing the learning environment of the university
RAQ members have assisted the Student Awards Office by acting as Readers in the review and ranking of Major Entrance Awards.
QUFA is amenable to emeritus faculty chairing or being involved in co-supervision of examination committees. A list of RAQ members willing to chair these defenses has been made available to academic departments.
3. Enhancing the national and international reputation of the university
The Human History of Queen's Project is led by Alison Morgan in association with University Archives and supported by the university, through the office of the Vice-Principal Academic. It is designed to enhance the sense of community connections between staff, faculty and students and provide a background for the next installment of the history of Queen's. Students have provided 24 quality interviews with faculty and staff documenting the 1960s. They reported enjoyable interactions and acquiring new insights from those interviewed. Students were debriefed and transcribed interviews are available on the Archives website. Plans and financial support are in place to continue this year and enter the 1970s.
4. Other activities of mutual interest
A Retirement Community Working Group has been formed to assess the feasibility and make recommendations concerning university-affiliated housing. A number of models have been developed in North America for alumnae, retired faculty, staff and others. They range from condo complexes for residents 55 and older to continuing care retirement communities. The Working Group is chaired by Bob Silverman, Director, Special Projects, Office of the Vice-Principal Academic. John Gordon is the RAQ representative. Other members are Audrey Kaplan, Director of Campus Planning and Development, Mark Rosner, Vice-President, External for the Society of Graduate and Professional Students and Shelley Aylesworth-Spink, Director, Office of the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
A RAQ member, John Meisel, served as senior academic on VP Deane's committee reviewing the controversial intergroup Dialogue Pilot Program. Although he did so as an individual and not on behalf of RAQ, his involvement illustrates how RAQ members can be utilized in furthering the university's interest. RAQ can be helpful in identifying suitable personnel for such services and mobilizing them.
The Partnership is supported enthusiastically by the university and facilitated by the office of the Vice-Principal Academic. It will serve as a vehicle for regular dialogue between RAQ and university administration. The activities listed above speak to the benefits, even after this short time, of establishing the RAQ/Queen's Academic Partnership.
Respectfully,
Henry B. Dinsdale, Chair.
RAQ - Queen's Academic Partnership
At the Council Meeting preceding the RAQ AGM on April 28, 2008 a document entitled An Academic Partnership of Retirees and Queen’s University dated April 28, 2008, was approved to be distributed at the AGM and posted on the Website. This document gives Council’s thinking on the background and objectives behind the Statement of Intent signed with Queen’s University November, 2007. The Council welcomes your thoughts on the partnership in general and this document in particular.
Click here for the text of this document (Adobe PDF Format).
It’s signed! We have an ‘Academic Partnership’ with the University
(NOVEMBER 26, 2007) A Statement of Intent has just been signed between the Retirees' Association of Queen's (RAQ), represented by President Arlene Aish, and Queen's University, represented by Vice-Principal (Academic) Patrick Deane. This Statement proposes that a partnership be established for the mutual benefit of the University and its retired faculty and staff. The partnership will complement and dovetail with many of the present and future programs and activities of RAQ and is intended to become a full-fledged complement to Queen's existing academic infrastructure and programs.
It makes sense, however, to begin modestly and to proceed in step-by-step fashion towards full growth. Current plans will be revised in light of experience and changing conditions.
This partnership is intended to foster and support the continued scholarly and creative lives of retirees, promote the continuing sense of membership in the "Queen's family" and, through its programs, benefit the University and the community. It will not sever the relationship between the retirees and University departments, but will act as a resource for departments and the University as a whole. Through this partnership, and any formal facility that develops for it, retirees could --
Be an agency for the University, sponsoring speakers, symposia, etc..
- Teach and tutor students with special needs
- Carry out research projects
- Mentor graduate students
- Mentor students applying for external awards (e.g. Rhodes Scholarships)
- Participate in student recruitment
- Serve by invitation on committees
- Chair thesis defense examinations
- Advise faculty and staff on retirement issues
- Assist the Advancement Office with public relations and fund-raising
- Promote and assist the preservation of Queen's history and traditions
- Identify and participate in interdisciplinary projects of special relevance to an aging population, and
- Offer other agreed-upon activities as suggested by active faculty or Queen's administration.
- The activities of the proposed partnership will be open to all retirees (faculty and staff)