Roundtable organizers seek to renew interest

Organizers hope a revised University Roundtable, with a lower cost buffet lunch, new location and different day, will create renewed interest in the program.

“Roundtable is the one event that really allows people from the whole campus community to come together and hear a campus leader,” says Colleen McCabe, secretary of the academic staff and co-chair of this year’s Roundtable series with Linda Newman of the Academic Staff Executive Committee.

Roundtable features university and community leaders speaking on important and timely issues over the lunch hour on campus during the academic year. Current and retired faculty, academic staff, classified staff and their guests are invited to attend.

With cutting-edge research and important activities occurring on campus regularly, “to hear from the actual people involved in these pursuits is special,” says McCabe.

This year’s series will offer a buffet lunch for $8.50 in Memorial Union’s Tripp Commons. Attendance in recent years at Roundtable has slipped, with some participants saying the lunches had become too expensive.

McCabe adds that seating will be limited to 200 because of the Tripp Commons location, so she encourages those interested to make early reservations. Roundtable will held on Thursdays this year, as opposed to Tuesdays in the past.

Roundtable begins Oct. 12 with Don Kettl, political science professor, speaking on “Home Stretch: Making Sense of the Presidential Election.”

Alicia Fedelina Chávez, the new dean of students, will speak on Nov. 9, and Chancellor David Ward will complete the fall Roundtable series on Dec. 14.

The spring Roundtable programs have not been finalized, but McCabe says one of the three speakers could be the new chancellor, who is expected to be hired this fall and start working in January.

McCabe’s office mailed flyers earlier this month to 10,000 current and former employees announcing the Fall 2000 Roundtable programs. A registration form is included with the flyer. Reservations are due one week prior to the event and can be sent to McCabe, 270 Bascom; cmccabe@bascom.wisc.edu.

Those interested can register for one or all of the fall programs. Participants can pay either by check with their registration form or at the door.

Reminders of upcoming Roundtable programs will be posted in Wisconsin Week, the Sifter retirement newsletter, and sent by e-mail to those who have registered to receive notices.

Roundtable is administered this year by the secretary of academic staff, with support from the Chancellor’s Office.