Two groups help keep former UNT staff, faculty involved in university life

Even after retirement, members of the UNT community may still remain active in the university through two groups: the Retired Instructors, Personnel and Spouses (RIPS) and Continuing Academic and Professional Service (CAPS).

RIPS, strictly a social organization, sponsors four major activities each year to help retirees keep in touch and enjoy the benefits of the university.

The 19-year-old organization works with the development office to plan its four annual events. Each fall, retirees join together for a fall coffee and a holiday party. Members attend a chili supper and a UNT basketball game in February, and usually have one other spring event that varies from year to year. This year, the group is considering taking a field trip to the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth. Between 50 and 100 people usually attend the annual events.

"RIPS provides opportunities for retirees to feel part of the university again," says Howard Smith, Dean Emeritus of education and chair of RIPS.

Officially sanctioned by the university in March 1998, CAPS focuses on retiree health care and social security benefits, and continuing involvement in the life of the University of North Texas. Members of CAPS have opportunities to continue to be active in the university through lecturing in their fields or through other means of service.

"The concept of CAPS is to maintain a relationship between retired faculty, staff and the university," says Hiram Friedsam, Dean Emeritus of community service and CAPS chair.

Members of CAPS plan to assist retirees interested in learning computer and Internet skills, a program under the direction of Jim Miller, Professor Emeritus of education and the group's vice chair. The group is also working with UNT's Volunteer Center to provide opportunities for retirees interested in community service.

Brandi Foltz, the retiree services coordinator for the human resources department, works with the organizations to edit and distribute a quarterly newsletter that includes information on both groups' upcoming events and activities, as well as information on Social Security, benefit and insurance changes and upcoming UNT events.

Almost 800 retirees currently receive the newsletter and those retiring from the university are automatically added to the mailing list.

Anyone who retires from the university becomes a member of RIPS and CAPS and may participate in their activities, but Smith stresses the importance of the involvement of retirees' spouses.

"We really want people to know that the 'S' in RIPS stands for spouses," Smith says. "Even when the retired UNT workers pass on, we encourage their spouses to stay involved in the life of the university."

BY JENNY McCORMACK paiswri2@unt.edu

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