Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I contact for more information about one of your programs? How can I get a course schedule sent to me? Is there an age requirement? How much is membership? How much are lecture and course fees? Are scholarships available? How is the OLLI program funded? Are there tests, papers and grades? Why couldn't I get the course I wanted? How old is the OLLI at UofM program? Is OLLI closed today because of bad weather? How can I find out if one of my requested classes was canceled for low enrollment? What does the term “download” mean? What is a PDF? The screen goes blank when I click on a PDF file. What’s wrong? Why am I having trouble viewing this web site? I would like to teach a class for OLLI. What do I have to do? Are there other volunteer roles? Where is the OLLI office located? Where are classes and lectures held? Who do I contact for more information about one of your programs? Information about our events may be obtained by emailing germedoll@umich.edu, or calling (734) 998-9351 or 998-9357; Fax: 734-998-9340. How can I get a course schedule sent to me? You may download a schedule of lectures, study groups and other events from our website. If you would like to have information about events (brochures and flyers) mailed to you, please email or write Ann Tai at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Michigan office, 2401 Plymouth Rd., Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. If requesting by phone, leave your name, address and phone number on our voice mail: 734-998-9351. Is there an age requirement? No; but courses are designed for retired and semi-retired adults who share a common interest in lifelong learning. How much is membership? Annual membership fee is $20. Membership is good from September 1 through August 31. Individuals may join anytime in the academic year. To print out a pdf file of the membership application, go the OLLI website. Membership fees are non-refundable. All individuals enrolling for OLLI events must be active members. How much are lecture and course fees? Fees vary depending on the amount of time spent in the classroom or lecture hall and class materials provided. Course fees range from $0 to $50. Field trips entail the most cost. Are scholarships available? Yes, scholarships are available to active OLLI members. To obtain one, write a letter to the OLLI Board of Directors, C/O Ann Tai, requesting a scholarship. Scholarship requests may be made for multiple events. How is the OLLI program funded? There are two sources of funds for the Osher program: The endowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation, membership and registration fees. Are there tests, papers and grades? There are no tests, papers and grades in the OLLI events such as lectures and study groups. Book Discussion Study Groups require readings. Writing Groups have weekly writing assignments. Current Events groups require readings of periodicals. Why couldn't I get the course I wanted? The maximum number of students per course is decided by the instructor or by room capacity.  Students are enrolled in the order registration forms are received.  If your course is full, your name is placed on a wait-list and you will be contacted should someone drop out or the maximum number be increased. How old is the OLLI at UofM program? We have been active since 1987. Is OLLI closed today because of bad weather? Listen to major metro area local radio and television stations for OLLI closing information. A voice message will be available at the OLLI phone, (734) 998-9351. Whenever possible, an alert will be placed on the OLLI website. School closing information is also available online from this resource. You may join www.cancellations.com to get an e-mail notice whenever OLLI cancels events for the day. Weather conditions can vary widely, even over a small geographic area. Students must exercise their own judgment concerning safety, whether OLLI is open or closed. How can I find out if one of my requested classes was canceled for low enrollment? A list of classes that have been canceled due to low enrollment or for similar reasons can be found on the OLLI website. You would also be notified by e-mail, letter or telephone. What does the term “download” mean? The word “download” simply means to transfer a computer file from our computer systems to your personal computer through the internet. What is a PDF? PDF stands for Portable Document Format — a file format developed by Adobe Systems. Using the freely downloadable Acrobat Reader, you are able to view, search, and print PDF files. Adobe Reader software may be downloaded directly from the Adobe web site. The screen goes blank when I click on a PDF file. What’s wrong? Chances are that you’re using an older version of the Adobe Reader software. Upgrading to the most recent version of the software should fix any problems viewing PDF files. The Adobe Reader software may be downloaded directly from the Adobe web site. Adobe also offers online support for Adobe Reader. Why am I having trouble viewing this web site? Although we've strived to make this site as compatible as possible with all web browsers, not all browsers are equal. To eliminate incompatibilities, make sure you are using the latest version of your browser. This web site has been tested with the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Mozilla, and Firefox. Some pages will open in a new window, if you're not seeing a page open when you click the link, please check your desktop for other open windows. I would like to teach a class for OLLI. What do I have to do? Print out and fill the Form for Teachers and Potential Teachers from the OLLI website. Mail the completed form to Ann Tai, 2401 Plymouth Rd., Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. You may also fax the form to (734) 998-9351. You may be asked to present your proposal to the Study Groups Committee which meets ten times during the year. All of the OLLI teachers and study group assistants are OLLI members and serve in volunteer capacities. In return for their time, they may enroll in OLLI events at no cost for the year they are an OLLI volunteer. Are there other volunteer roles? Other volunteer roles are officers and members-at-large of the OLLI Board of Directors, members of the Curriculum Committee (plan the lectures), members of the Study Groups Committee, members of the Marketing and Publicity Committee, members of the Finance Committee, office volunteers, and Special Projects volunteers. To get more information on the roles volunteers take on and amount of time commitment, or to volunteer, contact Ann Tai, 2401 Plymouth Rd., Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Where is the OLLI office located? The OLLI office is located within the Turner Senior Resource Center, 2401 Plymouth Rd., Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. A map to the center is available from the OLLI website. Where are classes and lectures held? There are numerous venues in the Ann Arbor area where OLLI events take place. Go to the OLLI website for maps.