Great Places: OLLI

Think back to your school days: you might not have liked homework, tests, or grades, but were you a student who enjoyed learning? It’s a generally accepted fact that most people—even if they didn’t like school—take pride in learning new skills, especially when it’s on their own terms. Learning keeps the brain active—and often healthier than a brain stuck in routine. For many adults—especially retirees, routine days can blur together, often without any sort of social connection or brain stimulus.

Twenty-seven years ago, OLLI decided to offer a solution.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI at Southern Oregon University), was formed with the goal of providing adults—especially retirees—meaningful opportunities to learn, discuss, and be part of a relaxed classroom environment. OLLI members have access to hundreds of peer-taught courses, activities, and discussion groups, but at a stress-free learning pace that doesn’t require prerequisites or tests. Whether an academic topic, or something light and fun, OLLI classes have something for everyone’s tastes.

Membership comes at a $150 annual fee which covers classes and activities during Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. There is no additional tuition per course. Scholarships are also available for those who would like to participate in OLLI, but have other financial burdens. So, there’s really no reason not to join! OLLI members have access to a variety of courses, including art, film, history, nature, political science, recreation, travel, writing, and more. As of June 2020, OLLI had over 2,100 members.

Even during the height of Covid, OLLI was able to pivot to Zoom learning—just as students in formal school settings did throughout the world. OLLI classes are normally held at the SOU Campbell Center in Ashland and the RCC/SOU Higher Education Center in Medford. “While the hurdle of training OLLI members and instructors on Zoom seemed daunting, we were able to migrate 275 courses to this new online learning platform for our 2020-2021 academic year and retain the vast majority of our members,” said Anne Bellegia, a community outreach volunteer for OLLI. She noted that the importance in carrying on the classes went beyond academic concerns; for many, OLLI online classes allowed its members to have a social connection during a time when they had limited interaction with the outside world. Adults from Klamath, Siskiyou, and other counties outside of Jackson and Josephine were able to join OLLI virtually. Fall of 2021, with the continuation of seventy-two Zoom classes, OLLI is even open to members as far away as Florida, New York, and Texas. See here for a list of fall courses.

Bellegia explained that Southern Oregon is often a retirement destination. Working adults convince their parents to move here, and whether at retirement homes or on their own, the parents want to put down roots and contribute to the community. Having programs like OLLI helps the newcomers connect with others who share a similar passion for learning. “Friendships at OLLI frequently go beyond the classroom. And people get to have meaningful conversations—not just chats about hip replacements.”

OLLI falls under SOU’s Outreach and Engagement program, which serves learners of all ages. Logistics and technical support are provided by SOU workers, with all program content and courses developed by OLLI member volunteers. “The extent of volunteer involvement is a testament to our members’ and instructors’ love for this unique program. Participation as instructors, on committees and in governance roles is a great way to foster meaningful connections within OLLI and the greater community,” said Bellegia. She added that one need not be an OLLI member to become an instructor, and that OLLI maintains collaborative partnerships with over two dozen community organizations—and provides free, public lectures.

If you would like to learn more—or become an OLLI member or instructor—visit inside.sou.edu/olli, or call (541) 552-6048. Since class lengths are not all the same, new members are welcome at any point in the term or year.

*Photos used curtesy of OLLI.

One Rogue Valley Strategy– 5.3. Spearhead initiatives that prioritize healthy, safe, and inclusive communities.