The beginning of the 2009 fall term marks the beginning of our 14th year of offering classes for “seasoned learners” who want to keep their minds engaged. Amazing!!
As most know, we began as “Senior University” with a series of community meetings starting in May 1996. These meetings were prompted by a group of visionaries who sought to extend the popular “Learning in Retirement” movement to CSULB. They moved forward quickly -- the first group of nine classes was offered that fall. Within a year, according to a newsletter I found in our archives [expertly maintained by Barbara Katz], “Senior University” had 500 members. Obviously, interest in such a program was high in the Greater Long Beach area.
That interest level has remained strong over the years as evidenced by continued growth and expansion. Just a glance at our current catalog shows we will be offering more than 5 times as many classes as we did in the 1996 fall term. And we will be doing so in three locations.
For the second consecutive year, our paid annual membership exceeded the 1000 level at the end of the last academic year. All of this has occurred primarily because a great many members chose to donate some of their time, energy, and effort toward making our organization grow and strengthen.
What will the future hold? Unfortunately I cannot tell you exactly since my crystal ball is in the repair shop (the mechanic says that both the gizmo and the thingamajig need to be replaced). I am pretty sure of two things however:
(1) Maintaining the “status quo” (no additional classes and no increase in membership) will continue to require significant dedicated volunteer effort. Curriculum will still need to be developed; classes will continue to need instructors, liaisons, and coaches; the office will still need to function; events will need to be publicized, etc. Even “standing still” is going to require some effort.
(2) There is potential for continuing to grow and improve. There are about 9,000 residents of Leisure World who are potential OLLI participants; an equal number of folks our age live within a two mile or so radius of our downtown Long Beach location; and certainly an equal number of persons over the age of 50 reside within two or three miles of the campus (in addition to the Leisure World community). Reaching out to these folks and engaging them in lifelong learning through OLLI is going to also require a great commitment of energy and effort.
Is maintaining the “status quo” important? I think so. Is growing and expanding important? My answer is two questions: “Does OLLI add enjoyment to your life? Wouldn’t it be nice to introduce others to the possibility of sharing in that enjoyment?”
It is said that there is no “free lunch,” but membership in OLLI at CSULB comes close! Being a part of the CSULB family gives us access to unique learning opportunities in an academic environment. While parking rates have increased this fall, the increase is consistent with that of other members of the CSULB family. The College of Health and Human Services continues to provide us with accessible office and classroom space dedicated to our needs – rent and utilities free. They have also outfitted our OLLI DownTown office and classroom with furniture and computers. As a recognized Center in the College we also have access to computer software licensed to CSULB, and many hours of technical support.
Because we are a member of the Osher Foundation family the new position of executive director is an important addition to our organization. This position will, however, have an impact on our budget over the next fiscal year. As we go to press, the CSU system is looking at an additional $584 million dollar budget cut and CSULB employees are facing furlough days in order to preserve student learning and faculty positions. Despite these challenges the College of Health and Human Services and our Dean, Dr. Dixie Grimmett, are trying to help OLLI support the executive director position while we await the improvement of our economy and the growth of our Osher Foundation endowment.
It is that time of year when we renew our annual membership. Our annual fee and the cost of classes continue to be a bargain in hard times. Please continue to support OLLI and invite your friends to join us as well. Your membership fees and generous donations will help OLLI at CSULB continue to serve your lifelong learning needs in an economical fashion through good times and bad. And please thank the College for its support!
Class Sessions 
Fall Session October 5 - December 9
Winter Session January 25 - March 20, 2010 Spring Session April 19 - June 14, 2010 Summer Session July 12 - September 4, 2010
Holidays – No Classes
Veterans Day November 11, 2009
Thanksgiving Holidays November 23-28, 2009
General Membership Meetings
Fall Registration September 12, 2000
