Your Voice MUN Pensioners’ Association (MUNPA) Newsletter • Vol. 18, No. 3, June 2020 Co-editors: Bernadette Power, Ann Ryan • Design and layout: Mark Graesser Photo/Gene Herzberg Memorial’s Pension Plan During the COVID-19 Pandemic By Glen Roberts Manager of Benefits, Pensions and Compensation Department of Human Resources

e are living in unprecedented socio-eco- amount at age 65 tied to integration with the Wnomic times. As a result, many pension Canada Pension Plan. plan members, both retired and still working, may be concerned about their pension and their Nowhere in the pension formula is there any own long term financial security. reference to the impact of year over year invest- ment performance of the pension fund. As you might expect, the Memorial Universi- ty Pension Plan, like many others across the This is unlike an RRSP or defined contribution country, has experienced some financial chal- type of pension plan where investment per- lenges due to the investment market turmoil formance and economic conditions will have a brought on by the combined effects of the direct impact on the amount of annual pension a COVID-19 pandemic and world oil prices. person receives.

Status of the Plan What does the future hold? he pension fund began 2020 in good standing he future remains to be seen. No one knows Thaving earned 16.4 per cent for the year Thow long or how deep the current economic ended Dec. 31, 2019. However, in the ensuing cycle will be or what the ultimate impact will be months the fund declined by 8.3 per cent. on pension plan funding. Annual actuarial valua- Compared to other similarly invested funds, this tions of the pension plan keep us informed of our result was relatively good. Out of 100 compar- financial position and highlight any changes in ator investment funds, Memorial’s pension fund the plan’s cost structure. A valuation is currently ranked in the 12th percentile. Only 11 per cent underway for the year ended December 31, of funds did better. 2019. Continued on page 3. The ups and downs of the economic cycle are normal activity and the pension plan has been through many such cycles over its lifetime Inside this issue with no impact to the pensions it pays. This is because Memorial pensions are not directly President’s Message...... 2 related to the performance of investment New MUN President Timmons...... 4 markets as the university has a defined benefit Outings Group advice...... 5 plan. With a defined benefit plan retirement pensions are based on a pre-determined formula Connaigre driving tour...... 6 contained in the plan rules. University pensions Philip Hiscock reminisces...... 7 are paid for life and are calculated or defined by Joan Scott ponders nature the formula: 2 per cent x years of pensionable and the virus...... 8 service x best five-year average salary, less an

1 President’s Message ocial distancing, sheltering in place, staying Swithin our bubbles… All of us have been adjusting to a new normal different from anything we imagined a few months ago. If we have been lucky enough to remain healthy, that has meant moving in constricted circumstanc- MUNPA Contact Information es, not getting together with friends or family, going for coffee or lunch, or doing things that Office Room 2003E, Signal Hill Campus had been part of our normal routine. Travel Office Assistant Jackie Collins plans are on hold. Harder still, some have been Main e-mail [email protected] unable to visit relatives who are ill or grieve, as Phone (709) 864-6979 they normally would, for those who have died. Website www.mun.ca/munpa Seeing friends and family online, via Zoom or Your Voice [email protected] other platforms, for those who can, has been a St. John’s Programme Committee partial substitute but not the same thing. [email protected] Grenfell MUNPA Committee Like many organizations, MUNPA has also been Mary Sparkes [email protected] adjusting to a new normal, grappling with what Lois Bateman [email protected] we can and cannot do. Some changes have been easy, others more difficult: Our last three Board meetings have been online. Despite some initial glitches, the process has worked From the Editors well enough that, at least to me, it seems normal. One benefit is that Mary Sparkes, our ell, we’ve come to the end of another year West Coast Representative, and former board of Your Voice and what a year it has W member, Lois Bateman, who has been assisting been! While the pandemic has brought the world her, are no longer figures on large screens at to a halt, it has also given us an opportunity the other end of the room, but participants to put our lives in perspective. We have been as present as people here in St. John’s. In a forced to recognize the many disparities in the different vein, our office assistant, Jackie Collins, world depending on where you live, how you has been able to perform most, but not all office live, governance structures, supports you have, functions from her home. freedom you have, etc. We’ve always known it was there but now the knowledge is obvious and iguring out what to do about programming unavoidable to consider. While many of us are Fhas been another matter. We initially still quarantined in our homes, there is a great suspended everything, but realized that some deal to be grateful for. We hope this summer we of our focus and special interest groups might will be free to get outside more and spend time want to meet online. The Memoir Group, the with family and friends. Continued on page 3. This year we have tried to provide our members with a variety of interesting stories and infor- Join the MUNPA Facebook Group mation that is relevant to our membership. We ask that you consider submitting articles of your MUNPA’s Facebook Group is up and running. choice in the coming year. Your words can bring Social networking is alien to many of us, but a smile or memory to someone and, in turn, it provides a way to share thoughts and keep inspire them to do the same for you. PASS IT in touch with others. At last count, fifty-five ON! MUNPA members have joined. Give it a try and see what others are thinking or doing. Enjoy your summer. You must have a Facebook account. Go to Bernadette Power the MUNPA group page and ask to become a Ann Ryan member.

2 President’s Message, continued Pension Plan, continued

Shutterbug Club, Health and Aging, and the ith respect to funding, the University Craft Group have taken up the challenge. The WPensions Committee has engaged the process has not been seamless – some people pension plan’s actuary and investment consul- have had trouble joining -- but it has worked. tant to prepare an asset-liability study that will The Memoir Group normally meets once a month inform how the fund is invested in the future. on Mt. Scio. Since the pandemic began, it has This study will guide the plan’s investment policy been meeting every two weeks, with members with the primary objective of ensuring its future turning out copy at an accelerated rate. In sustainability so that it is well positioned to meet another, Shutterbug Club members have been its obligations and weather future economic sharing photos on Zoom as readily as we did downturns. In addition, since the beginning of on Signal Hill. In a different vein, members of this year, the university and employee groups Games groups have chosen not to play games have continued to work on a future governance online but get together once a month to chat. structure for the pension plan that would entail joint responsibility for its management and The AGM and our 35th Anniversary Event funding.

ur Annual General Meeting was to have As for the day to day administration of the Otaken place on June 4th. Hoping that pension plan, this is continuing. Human we could have a “normal” meeting in fall, we Resources staff are working remotely. People are postponed it. However, Memorial’s decision retiring, pensions and refunds are being paid, to teach fall semester classes online precludes plan expenses are being met and investment large gatherings. Instead, we will hold either a related activity is ongoing. ‘blended’ AGM, with some members physical- ly present and others participating online or, if What can you do to help? need be, an online meeting during the week of October 5th. Uncertain about when we might be As the team has moved to a remote-based, able to hold it, we have also decided to cancel paperless work environment, there are some our 35th anniversary celebration. things that employees and retirees can do to help Human Resources maintain a safe, secure Tribute Awards, Facebook Group and other and efficient workplace. If you are retired and matters still receive your pension payment by paper cheque, please request a change to direct Nominations for MUNPA’s Tribute Awards are deposit by contacting [email protected]. Communi- due by August 31st. MUNPA’s Tribute Awards cate with Human Resources and submit pension “recognize the importance of the ongoing contri- related forms via e-mail at [email protected] or butions of Memorial’s retirees to the University direct e-mail with a pension specialist if you or the Community.” Putting together a nomina- have already initiated your retirement process. tion takes time and effort. If you know someone who deserves recognition, now is a good time to Above all, ask questions. Human Resources is put together a nomination. Details and nomina- available to help; however, please be patient as tion forms are available on MUNPA website. response times may be delayed.

UNPA relies on e-mail to keep in touch MUNPA events and would like to, please let us with our members, but not everyone has M know by calling our office (709 864-6979) or computers or the comfort and ability to use sending an email to [email protected]. them. We normally send printed copies of Your Voice to a limited number of our members, but Please keep safe, stay healthy, and if you can, have been unable to do so since the pandemic reach out to others who may feel isolated or began. We have recently become aware that the alone. Most of us have adapted to our current number of members without access to e-mail new normal. There are undoubtedly others that may be larger than we thought. If you know of have yet to come. MUN pensioners, who – pre-pandemic – have not been receiving YV or communications about Steve Wolinetz

3 A message from Dr. Vianne Timmons, OC President and Vice-chancellor

s Memorial’s new president, More recently, retirees have AI’m pleased to bring donated to the Student greetings to the Memorial Uni- Emergency Fund that supports versity of Newfoundland Pen- students in need during the sioners’ Association. COVID 19 pandemic. As I’ve said so many times to It is important to express so many different people and that when we talk about the groups, it would have been success and achievements of preferable to have an opportu- our wonderful university we nity to meet in person. It has are really talking about the not been the two months I envisioned prior accomplishments of faculty, staff, students to returning home to Newfoundland and and retirees at Memorial. Labrador. And make no mistake, Memorial, as you But in some ways it has been better. Small, know, is recognized as an incredible institu- virtual gatherings means meeting individu- tion, nationally and internationally, for the als I might not have otherwise. It provides work we do across many areas. an opportunity to learn about the people, not just the institution. And many times, e are grateful as a university meeting their children and pets, as we all Wcommunity for your continued en- adjust to this new reality of working from gagement and contributions. All that home. It’s been great to spend the time Memorial is and hopes to be is made connecting with the people who make up stronger by your work, interest, curiosity the Memorial community. and generosity. Your association, and all the individuals Memorial’s faculty, staff, students, alumni involved with it, are an important part of and pensioners really have come together that community. during this difficult time. You have all worked in trying times to make the best of Through efforts such as continued a bad situation. lecturing, involvement in convocation, par- ticipation on boards and committees, and Thank you for your insights and your community activities, retirees continue commitment to this institution and this to inspire those who currently work at province. Together, we will continue to Memorial. build on the traditions of this place and focus on the future. Stay safe.

4 Activities

MUNPA Outing Group advice: Keep active, but with extra care

By Ann Ryan

alking and hiking during these days of W“physical distancing” is tricky for safety’s sake and sometimes awkward in general.

Back in the good ole days (two months ago from the time of this writing), the MUNPA Outing Group met every 2 weeks, weather permitting, for a walk or hike on one of the many trails we are blessed with here on the Northeast Avalon. Myself, Adrian Tanner and Helen Woodrow have been coordinating these outings for over a year now. Snowshoeing in January with Pat Dabinett Up until the pandemic hit, we have had some amazing times! Like last summer when Helen if not the socializing, we offer here a few things and her husband hosted us at their summer to keep in mind: First and most importantly home in Western Bay and we had a wonderful (if is the aforementioned physical distancing, or slightly damp) afternoon hike along the coast, keeping apart by two arm lengths (6 feet). To plus they fed us delicious homemade soup and make this even somewhat feasible the City of chilli. And then this winter, Di and Pat Dabinett St. John’s has asked that people walk facing hosted a snowshoeing expedition near their traffic if you are on a road, and clockwise if you home on a sunny February day in Pouch Cove. are on a loop trail, like Long Pond. This is par- Afterwards, they fed us hot cross buns, cookies ticularly important where the trails are narrow and tea (some of us may have partaken in (e.g. the boardwalks at Quidi Vidi) and you stronger libations). Thanks to both couples for cannot physically distance if you are passing some wonderful memories! someone coming in the opposite direction. When you encounter other walkers or runners who While not all our outings are as spectacular as are faster than you the etiquette is: you pause these, even our regular walks around St. John’s and step off the trail a safe distance to let them and Mount Pearl city trails gave us the opportu- pass. nity to chat with people and get some exercise. ome members of our group have suggested las, the pandemic put a stop to our fun. Sthe best physical distancing walking routes AUnlike other Munpa groups such as Health are quiet residential streets where traffic is light and Aging, the Memoir Group and Shutter- if you have to step down off the sidewalk into bugs, who have managed to carry on in some the road. Other options put forward include the virtual way via Zoom or other communication roadways through Bowring Park and the Experi- platforms, virtual walking is not going to work mental Farm. for us. But I’m happy to report that members are still getting out there, just on their own or But any way you slice it, walking is just not the with someone in their “bubble.” same right now. Hopefully, we’ll get back to walking as a group again soon! And when that Since we as the Outing Group want to time comes if you want to join us on our adven- encourage everyone to keep up the exercising tures, email me at [email protected].

5 Travels

A Driving Tour of the Connaigre Peninsula By Audrey Power

Belleorum photo/Brian Power

s Newfoundlanders, we sometimes take for foggy at the foot of the peninsula and you Agranted the amazing scenery that surrounds could feel the mood of the sea wash over the us. My husband Brian and I take a driving land. Another day was vacation every couple of years to sample the and , and the many tiny communities unique beauty of a small slice of our province. barely hanging on in between. Then there was a In 2017, a 4-day summer road trip was our first very scenic drive to Pool’s Cove. And of course, time visiting the Connaigre Peninsula. we had to check out , a good- sized fishing hub for the area. Finding accommodations can be challenging in outports, but there are gems to be found he scenery was breathtaking, with long on-line. The Newfoundland Tourism site is a Tnarrow bays, steep slopes, and tiny coves great source. We booked into the Harbour Breton and harbours. We saw rolling highlands, rocky Efficiency Cabins and were quite pleased with coasts, beautiful beige sandy beaches, and little the clean, modern upgrades. villages nestled between ocean and hill. You can still see the legacy of once thriving fishing The key to a driving vacation is picking a good villages, now struggling to save their way of central base and doing day excursions from life. The people, strong, determined, close knit, there. We would plan about a 4-hour route and friendly, who love life, as only those from a small with lunch safely tucked in our trusty plug-in isolated community understand. Our one regret car cooler, we would head off. With stops a was having to leave without taking the ferry to trip inevitably took around 6 hours as we were , by all accounts worth the overnight enchanted with each bay and town, unique and visit if you have time. beautiful in its own way. We are so glad we had the opportunity to ex- Each trip took us to a different area of the perience the beauty and charm of this corner of peninsula. We drove to Seal Cove, visiting Newfoundland. We wish we could have stayed Hermitage and Sandyville on the way. It was longer.

6 Memories Huh? Regrets? By Philip Hiscock ecent retirees get questions: in the Science Building, was a R“Do you have regrets? Are customer, as was Ray Gushue, you grieving the loss? How will the President. you ever fill your time?” I knew my way around MUN I’ve been retired from MUN and high school seemed inevit- for nearly three years and, ably to lead there. I started although I miss having my as a MUN student in September books were within easy reach 1969. (mostly they are in boxes now!), I don’t regret it one bit. I flunked out in April 1970. I miss people and the spirit of After giving up many of my the place. But . . . no regrets. non-academic pursuits (some I’m not grieving. And I happily of which kept me around the fill my time – including with campus while flunked-out!), I more naps now. re-registered in late 1971. I do Before making the jump, I sometimes think about those thought long – nearly four easy, smokey days playing years – about how to retire. I pinball in the TSC in 1970 and wondered what I’d miss, and I tried to plan ‘71, but I’ve never missed them. I finished my for it. I knew some people who suffered from BA and went straight into an MA in Linguistics. post-retirement depression; I wanted to make rom 1969 until 2018, with just one break, sure that didn’t happen to me. After choosing FI was somehow associated with MUN’s the date and getting near, I even delayed campus. The break happened when I decided another year. I retired on my 65th birthday and that, although my head was in the MA, my heart that date made for a nice piece of, as people say wasn’t. I quit and, for a couple of years in the now, closure. seventies, I re-wired old houses with my father, y relationship with MUN had not been and sold records for Fred’s. Plus a few archae- Ma short-term thing. I grew up just two ology hobbles. I got by, but I knew I’d be going hundred metres from the Phys-Ed building and, back to MUN. as a child, I roamed freely through the campus. Go back I did. In early 1979, I got a job – Even during its construction, I spent time there Archivist at MUN’s Folklore and Language – for instance, uhh, liberating used dynamite Archive, MUNFLA, where I stayed on staff 21 wire for various uses: fixing speakers and years. Then, in 2000, I switched into faculty, door bells, weaving into key chains, and so on. still in the Department of Folklore. (Nearly sixty years later, I still have some of that wire next to me; it connects an aerial when I’m I am proud of my work there. I am also rather listening to distant radio stations.) proud – overly so? – of the fact that I was on strike against MUN with three different unions. I Once the MUN campus was open, I snuck a few may be the only person who can say that. The times into the swimming pool – even though I first time was when the student body, members couldn’t swim. Knowing I was a bookish boy like of the “CSU” (now “MUNSU”) occupied the Ad- him, Dad used to take me into the library for a ministration Building to resist Lord Taylor’s few hours of poking around. And, for several decision to stop collecting fees on the union’s years, I was the Daily News paperboy for that behalf. That’s a long story, but we won and part of town; Stan Carew, Engineering Dean Taylor lost. Continued on page 8.

7 Philip Hiscock, continued The second strike was with CUPE, while I was Life in the Time of Covid-19 archivist at MUNFLA, the job that saved me from wiring houses and working retail. That By Joan Scott strike lasted about ten days in 1990, in the As I was preparing for my permitted daily walk, I surge of anti-union movements by governments; saw a bird in a tree in the next garden. It seemed I never felt that we won it. Part of my later desire to become a professor, rather than remain to be a junco, but with binoculars I saw it was a an archivist, was my feeling of loss in that strike. very still blue jay. There was another in a lower I loved my job, and I loved the context of my branch. They usually travel in twos. work, but I felt hard done by with that strike’s In biology classes I learned that living things exist as outcome: no meaningful raise for ten years. cells, even if some, like bacteria, and some algae, exist y the late-80s, I had an MA (in Folklore); as very tiny cells. A virus is not alive because it can only Bfinishing my PhD in the ‘90s, I eventually replicate itself inside a living cell. No nucleus, no chro- found a niche I could fill in my own depart- mosomes, no cell membrane, tinier than a bacterium. A ment’s faculty. I was hired on tenure-track with scrap of RNA, with an envelope of fat molecules. I had a raise in pay and with better prospects for the to get used to the virus as a very delicate entity. Not a still far-off retirement. I was one of those lucky cell. Not a living thing. rarities: three degrees from one school and a faculty job there too. I worked more, but things Crocus were in bloom on my front lawn: dark looked up. purple, paler purple, striped, and pure white. A In November 2000, MUNFA, my new union, went robin flew up into a tree by the Arts and Culture on strike, my third. It rained on the picketline Centre. every day of the strike, twenty-one of them. Yet a virus does replicate itself. It attaches to the much That strike had a positive outcome for most of larger cell of its host, and moves in. Its RNA organises the union. But, because of my combination of having been placed (upon being hired) near the the cell into many exact copies of the whole virus. top of my starting scale but, having just started At the edge of the north side of Burton’s Pond my tenure track, being unable yet to jump to a there were mallard, the males flashing their new scale, I didn’t pick up all the sharp increases glossy green napes, and two male American my colleagues got. wigeon in pink, with white thumb stripes down “Those shoes don’t owe you anything,” the old the fronts of their heads. The females were clerk said to me once when I went into Parker & generally close to the sides of their males but Monroe’s with my very beat-up old boots on. I wearing less colourful outfits. Tufted ducks with had come to feel something similar about me cute pony tails, turned in the water like wheels and MUN. and dove below. Pigeons stood on a south facing Nonetheless, my eighteen years as a professor roof. Cooing. Out on the water were a pair of were my best working years. I loved working at pintails looking fresh and neat. MUN – the work and the people around me. But Once made, the viruses burst out of the cell, kill it, and I certainly looked forward to being a free man. invade another cell and replicate again. I still feel the need to spread what knowledge or specialised opinions I have. So I continue to The ice that was left was rotten and grey. The trade a little on my expertise, with short talks gulls I looked at were all ringbills. here and there, and small written bits, more The virus has no legs or wings. If it spreads the host often for social media than for traditional publi- cation, and mostly unpaid. But I feel no forces does that. that would make me go back to academic publi- An orange crocus, survived the winter and was cation. blooming under a bush in my front garden. I’m outa there. I’m retired. And I love it. There were fresh buds on the honeysuckle vine.

8