Scroll down to see Upcoming Events and, below that, News, which includes Volunteer Opportunites and the like.
- For the Director’s Message, Member Forum, Member Art, and more see the latest issue of The Observer.
- For past issues see The Observer Archive.
- See the CUNY GC Events Calendar for upcoming seminars, talks, and other programs.
Upcoming Events
The Master and Margarita Book Discussion with Steve KalinskyThursdays December 29, January 5, 12, 19, 26 | 2:30-4:00PM | Zoom
Of Russian origin, The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov is considered by many as one of the greats of the 20th century. It has been described as: “a darkly comedic takedown of Soviet society, an audacious revision of the stories of Faust and Pontius Pilate, and a thrilling love…
Affirmative Action Discussion with Joy SchulmanTuesday January 17 | 2:00PM | Zoom
All indications point to the Supreme Court’s abolishing affirmative action. The policy started in the late 1960s as a way to measure if employers and colleges were making a good-faith effort to include African-Americans. In 1978, the Supreme Court narrowed the use of this tool by disallowing quotas and changed…
Summer of Soul Movie Discussion with Susan SmahlMonday January 9 | 2:00PM | Zoom
This is an encore session of “Summer of Soul” from the Reel Rock and Roll Study Group. Participants view the film on their own (available to stream) and meet for a discussion. Summer of Soul won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2021 and is about much more than…
Lead a Winter Break Activity!Propose Yours Now
The Community Building Initiative seeks volunteers to lead activities during the January Winter Break. Yours can meet once, twice or multiple times. Whether it’s a book or movie discussion, a current events discussion, a travel adventure, art presentation or something else, members will appreciate your efforts.
Announcing Two New Coordinator Development WorkshopsNovember 16 and December 5 | 4:00PM | Zoom
By Popular Demand Two New Coordinator Development Workshops have been added this semester on Topics Requested by Workshop Participants:
Designing an Engaging Study Group Strategies to Promote Interaction:
and Using Media to Enhance Study Groups: Overview of Google Slides, Power Point and Video. Register for one or both.
Science Seminar Series: Dr. Jill Bargonetti on Breast Cancer BiomarkersThursday December 1 | 4:00PM | Zoom | Members Only
Over the years, several genes have been discovered to play an outsized role in the development of breast cancer. (A familiar example is BRCA1.) These genes, or biomarkers, provide a window into the basic workings of cancer in breast tissue and have suggested possible avenues for treatment. Dr. Jill Bargonetti, Professor…
Fridays@1: Navina Haidar on Islamic Art in the Metropolitan Museum of ArtFriday December 2 | 1:00 PM | Webinar | Public
Navina Najat Haidar is the Curator in charge of the Department of Islamic Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She was the coordinating curator of the New Islamic Galleries project, which came to fruition with the 2011 opening of an extraordinary sequence of galleries dedicated to the Art of the…
ArtSIG Tour of the Judd FoundationThursday December 8 | 2:30 PM | 101 Spring Street | Registration Required
Join us for a tour of Donald Judd’s former home and studio in Soho, now lovingly preserved by his children. An artist, architect, designer, art critic, and philosopher, Judd used his home to display his work and that of his friends as he wanted them to be seen. To learn more…
Unmasking Bias Series: Paul Butterfield on Humorous Speech as BigotryWednesday December 7 | 4:00PM | Webinar | Public
Dr. Paul Butterfield, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Alfred University, focuses his research on ethics and speech, and, in particular, when humorous speech can count as an example of bigotry. Sometimes you might tell a joke, and members of your audience find it offensive. At other times, you might object…
Tuesday With Friends: The Ins and Outs of Academic Freedom with Marge HeinsTuesday December 6 | 3:30 to 6:00PM | Registration Deadline is November 21
The Tuesdays With Friends (TWF) Committee is happy to announce its first get-together and presentation since the Covid hiatus!
What is academic freedom? A constitutional right – or just good social policy? And what are its limits? In the affirmative action case currently before the Supreme Court, the universities claim…
Men’s GroupWednesdays | 3:45PM | Zoom | Member Only
The Men’s Group meets weekly and welcomes men to discuss personal and general issues in a space where expressing intimacy and displaying emotions is encouraged. Popular topics have included aging and health, end of life concerns, and relationship issues…
Women’s GroupThursdays | 3:45PM | Zoom | See Below for In-Person Schedule | Member Only
The Women’s Group meets weekly and welcomes any woman member. Discussions are occasionally personal, but usually revolve around women’s issues, politics, and current events and provide the opportunity to talk and connect…
Stitch Away StressTuesdays | 4:00PM | Zoom | Member Only
Join our remote knit, crochet, spin, weave, sew, stitch group. Share your skills and enjoy the meditative benefits of handwork…
News
Diversity-Outreach Committee Openings
he Diversity-Outreach Committee has several openings for members beginning in the Spring 2023. If you are interested in serving on the Committee, please consult Diversity-Outreach Committee Statement for the description of the Committee’s mission, objectives and activities.
Admissions Committee Seeks One New Member
The Admissions Committee has an opening for one member beginning in Spring 2023. If you are interested in serving on the Admission Committee consult the Admissions Committee Application for the committee description, criteria for membership and the information to include in your letter of application.
Lead a Winter Break Activity!Propose Yours Now
The Community Building Initiative seeks volunteers to lead activities during the January Winter Break. Yours can meet once, twice or multiple times. Whether it’s a book or movie discussion, a current events discussion, a travel adventure, art presentation or something else, members will appreciate your efforts.
The GC Dining Commons Awaits…You
If you haven’t visited, or dined in, the GC Dining Commons (i.e., cafeteria), in Room 8300, you’re really missing something. In addition to being light, airy and spacious, it offers us a place to get together, eat, drink, schmooze, read. In summary, it’s a wonderful place to meet, greet and eat!…
The IER Finance Committee Seeks New Members
The Finance Committee is a standing committee whose chair reports to the Board of the Institute for Education in Retirement (IER), the fiscal arm of LP2. Its responsibilities include, budgeting, financial reporting and financial policies, among other financial oversight activities. It is a small working group that addresses topics of direct…
Create a Shortcut to CUNY Cleared4 Access Pass on Smartphone
Watch an How-to Video and read the simple instructions to make your life easier.
A Memorable 60th Anniversary Gala
More than 170 LP2 members gathered at John Jay Dining Room and Terrace on the evening of September 22, 2022 for a glorious celebration of 60 years of IRP/LP2. Even the weather cooperated, with the sun coming out around 4:00PM after a cloudy and rainy start to the day.
This return…
CUNY GC Doctoral Audiology Program Offers Free Hearing TestsWednesdays 9:00AM, 10:20AM, 1:00PM & 2:30PM | Appointments Available
Basic hearing and speech tests, hearing aid checks and counseling, adjustments and more are among the available services. For appointments please call (212) 817-7980.
Top 15 Website Features
New Site Features include: an Enhanced Member Directory and Faces, an Upcoming News and Events page that contains only current content, a Library and Online Research Resource page, A Study Group History Table and Grid Archive, ready access to Forms, lots of HELP, COVID Safety Information and more.
The AB Recommends Masking and Weekly Testing
In consideration of the health and safety of our members, the Advisory Board recommends masking and weekly testing by members attending in-person study groups. Even as rates of virus transmission are declining and a new vaccine is on its way, many of our members feel vulnerable to infection. LP2…
First Desk is Back!
First Desk is the central hub where LP2 volunteers are available during program hours to help all LP2 members find answers, directions, information, and help for any and everything. LP2 First Desk Volunteers: Greet members and visitorsAnswer questionsProvide building and classroom directions and informationOffer tips on neighborhood restaurants and other sites of…
Covid 19 Current CUNY GC Information
In close collaboration with CUNY leadership, the Graduate Center is monitoring developments related to COVID-19 and is following the latest guidance from local, state, and federal agencies. Visit the CUNY Covid 19 Information and safe campus reopening page for up-to-date information including the following links to specific subject guidance: …
First Desk Volunteers Wanted!
We encourage new members to volunteer at First Desk because it’s a great way to meet people, learn things and be part of the action. And it’s FUN. The First Desk is in the Office of Academic Initiatives and Strategic Innovation (AISI) in Room 8309. We are looking for volunteers and…
LP2 Website Guide
You can start browsing most of the site right now using the navigation at the top. New Features of the site include: an Enhanced Member Directory and Faces with more info, more member control, more search capability, an Upcoming News and Events page that contains only current content, a Library…
Calling All Painters, Sculptors, Photographers, Block Printers, Ceramicists and Textile Artists!
Display the creative work you have been doing this summer in the Online Art Show. Art works appear in The Observer in the order in which they are received. Just send in a photograph of your work with a title and a brief statement about it…
