Frequently Asked Questions
Where is OLLI located?
OLLI has two campus locations: in Ashland at the Campbell Center at 655 Frances Lane and in Medford at the RCC-SOU Higher Education Center (HEC) at 101 S. Bartlett Street. Click here for detailed directions and parking information for both locations. Click here for a PDF map of Campbell Center, where most classes on the OLLI campus are held.
How do I contact OLLI?
The main OLLI office is at the Campbell Center in Ashland and can be visited in person during regular office hours (see below). The office phone number is 541-552-6048, and the email address is olli@sou.edu.
What are the office hours?
When classes are in session, office hours at the Campbell Center in Ashland are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 11:30am and 1:15pm to 5:00pm, except for SOU holidays. An OLLI staff member is available in Medford at the HEC, Room 104 on Fridays when classes are in session.
Can members take OLLI classes in both Medford and Ashland?
Yes. Membership allows class attendance on either campus.
What does membership in OLLI cost?
OLLI Annual Membership Dues are $100 per person for the entire academic year (three quarters), September to June, and are nonrefundable. Dues cover as many courses as can be scheduled, depending on space. For members joining mid-year, the fee is still $100; we do not prorate the fee.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, there is a reduced OLLI Membership Program. Prospective OLLI members who are interested in joining or renewing their membership, but cannot afford to pay the full $100, can apply for a scholarship by filling out a Reduced Membership Application Form [PDF].These forms are available in the OLLI office or online. The applicant is asked to write a brief summary of the personal circumstances creating financial hardship and the amount they are asking OLLI to subsidize. This information is kept strictly confidential. Sally Klein, OLLI’s Program Coordinator, reviews and approves these scholarships. Contact her for more information.
Who can join OLLI?
The OLLI program is geared to older adults with a flexible daytime schedule; however, consistent with SOU Nondiscrimination Policy, neither age, race, national origin, religion, sex, handicap or marital status are considerations with regard to OLLI membership.
How to become an OLLI member:
Download an Enrollment Form [PDF] or request one from the OLLI office. OLLI will have online member enrollment beginning in November 30, 2012. Click here for more details.
Are there perks to OLLI membership?
Yes. All that is needed is an OLLI name badge to take advantage of the following:
- Cascade Dining Hall – 15% discount on all-you-can-eat, one time through the line.
- SOU Bookstore – 10% senior discount offered to senior OLLI members; bring your OLLI name badge.
- Theatre – $15 “senior subscriber” ticket rate at SOU Theatre Arts performances
Can OLLI members get a SOU student ID?
Yes. OLLI members can audit any class at SOU with instructor permission and be issued an SOU student ID. For those 65 or older and an Oregon resident, there is no audit fee. (Otherwise, regular tuition applies.) Audit forms can be obtained thru SOU's Registrar's Office or in the OLLI office at 655 Frances Lane in Ashland. Some OLLI classes qualify as SOU One Credit Courses. Those who register for one of those classes both through OLLI and through SOU will be issued an SOU student ID. Contact the OLLI office for details. (Must be an Oregon resident)
What are the benefits to having an SOU student ID?
If you qualify as an SOU student (see qualifications in above question), you will be eligible to check out material at the Hannon Library during that term. After qualifying, you can request a student ID card at SOU Enrollment Services—be sure and bring photo ID with you when you go. Use this identification card or your driver’s license and OLLI name badge at the library circulation desk. You are also eligible to purchase a yearly parking pass for parking in any of student “green commuter” lots. Hold on to your student ID card for future use, since you will have to pay for a new one if you lose it. The card does not expire; however, it is only valid for those terms in which you enroll as an SOU student.
How to request classes:
For Winter 2013, there will be two ways to sign up for OLLI courses, manually and online. Full online capability will start November 30. For complete details, click here.
How to get preferred classes:
Members have a period of time to submit course requests after the course catalog becomes available and before the published deadline for the computerized class assignment occurs. During this interval, the timing of when members submit course requests does not affect a member’s chances of being admitted to a class. All requests are processed at the same time on the day after the deadline. While there are many classes to choose from, demand for some classes exceeds the available space. See this guide to Getting the Courses You Want. [PDF]
Are there classes offered in the summer?
Yes, for the first time, we offered classes on the Ashland campus in summer 2012. The OLLI Council has decided to continue the program in 2013 and expand to the Medford campus. The term will start 6/17/13 and end 7/26/13.
How to teach a course:
The Class Guidelines and Proposal section on the Teach a Course page of the web site describes this process and provides a course proposal form, which can also be picked up in the OLLI office.
How is OLLI Governed?
OLLI is a member-run organization led by a Council, with functional areas headed by Committee Chairs. For more details about OLLI Leadership, click here. For details of the bylaws that govern OLLI, including the election of Council members, click here.
Does OLLI hold all-member meetings?
Yes, OLLI hold an annual meeting prior to the end of each OLLI at SOU academic year. The purpose of this meeting is for Council to update members on current business and for members to bring matters to the Council. It is also an opportunity for members to convene. In addition, the Council may call special membership meetings as necessary. Click here for OLLI Bylaws governing member meetings.
Does OLLI offer opportunities for social interaction?
In addition to opportunities to interact with other OLLI members in class and through participation as an OLLI volunteer, OLLI holds social events to which all members are invited at least quarterly. Typically, there are parties in the fall and winter quarters and an Ice Cream Social associated with the Annual Meeting and an Annual Picnic held during the spring term. Other social opportunities include receptions for new members and instructors, as well as fun-themed fundraisers.
Is it necessary to join OLLI to attend single event programs?
No. When classes are in session OLLI sponsors weekly lectures each Wednesday that classes are in session from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on the Ashland campus and quarterly forums on the Medford campus. Also, generally once a year OLLI sponsors a Vital Issues Forum. These programs are free and open to the public. For more information about these events, click here.