At the first meeting of the UNIEA Advisory Council, these three purposes of the new organization were identified:

To involve emeriti/ae, as appropriate, in the ongoing affairs of the University by enabling them to provide supplemental and enrichment assistance and services to UNI programs and agencies.

To serve the collegial and individual needs of the University emeritus/a faculty, and to support the continued participation of emeriti/ae in the University community.

To promote collegiality among emeriti/ae, and to provide a vehicle through which they may with comfort and grace involve themselves in continuing professional growth, professional contribution, and service to the University, the community, and the larger society.