Osher Lifelong Learning Institute — Overview

Thank you for your interest in The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.  The Osher Institute, a program of Continuing Education at the U since 2004, is part of a national program of lifelong learners age 50 plus. 

The students

Osher students are articulate and engaged learners who bring a natural curiosity and a lifetime of experience to discussions. Students do not expect to do homework, but many enjoy some outside reading to enhance the classroom experience. We suggest that outside reading be optional.

Faculty

Osher faculty is drawn from active and emeritus faculty and community experts. Our instructors share a passion for an area of study and a desire to share it with a group of interested, engaged, mature adults.  Instructors enjoy the experience immensely and return term after term. Classes are all non-credit with no tests or grades which minimizes outside class work for both student and instructor. Many instructors say this is the best type of teaching – no grading and no committee work.

Curriculum Selection

The curriculum for each term is selected by a committee of members and staff. The primary criteria for selection are: anticipated member interest, balance with other offerings, instructor qualifications, and fit within scheduling, space, and financial constraints. Your committee member will notify you of the disposition of your proposal as soon as a final decision is made.

Class times and duration

Most daytime classes meet for 1.5 hours, once a week for 6 weeks, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Other meeting patterns will be considered (e.g., half day seminars, fewer or more meetings). Evening and weekend classes generally meet, T, W, or Th, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM, and weekends during the day. The number of meetings and the duration of each meeting vary depending upon the topic.

Location

Most daytime classes are held at the Commander's House at Fort Douglas. Evening and weekend programs are primarily held at the Annex on The U of U campus. Other University or community locations are used as needed. The specific location will be selected based on the needs of the class, and the preferences of the members and instructor.

Honorarium

Osher acknowledges the contributions of its instructors. Two options are available: a monetary honorarium or a gift certificate which can be used for Osher memberships and courses and can be transferred to others. While the monetary honorarium is modest, the other benefits of teaching at Osher are significant. In addition to the opportunity to work with such engaged students, during the term they are teaching, Osher instructors are welcome to register for Osher classes tuition free on a space available basis and are eligible to use the campus libraries. Some instructors choose to waive their honorarium. Many instructors who waive the honorarium consider their work for Osher to be a community service. Osher members very much appreciate any such consideration as it allows us to bring the quality programming that makes Osher so special and the benefits of lifelong learning to more of Utah's 50 and over population. Many Osher members donate their time similarly by serving on committees, facilitating classes, etc. Please call the Osher Institute Director, Cathy House, at 801-587-9037, to discuss your honorarium.

Class materials

Daytime: Osher classroom assistants can assist with copying class materials. Instructors can provide class materials and will be reimbursed for the costs up to the special fee collected. Please be sure to specify in the proposal any special fee needed to cover the cost of materials acquired via either method.

Evening & Weekend: Copiers are available in the Annex for instructor use.

AV support

AV equipment is available for use in the classroom upon request.

Please contact the Osher staff (801-585-5442) or your Curriculum Committee representative if you have further questions regarding the program. We hope you will consider submitting a proposal.