About OLLI at the University of Virginia
Board of Directors, Officers, Committees, and Staff
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Virginia brings together people from various backgrounds who share a common interest in learning and intellectual stimulation. Formed in association with the University of Virginia in 2001 as the Jefferson Institute for Lifelong Learning (JILL), the Institute was inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s own deeply-held belief in, and practice of, education as a lifelong enterprise which invigorates the mind and enriches life.
"This institution of my native state, the hobby of my old age, will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind, to explore and to expose every subject susceptible of its contemplation."
Thomas Jefferson in letter to Destutt de Tracy
Dec. 26, 1820
Tailored to seniors’ lifestyles, classes are held in the daytime, almost always in places with convenient parking. Our courses, lasting three to six weeks, fit the typical senior’s schedule.
OLLI is recognized as a University-related Foundation by the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, and in 2007 OLLI at U.Va. became one of now more than 120 institutes in a growing, national, lifelong-learning network for seasoned adults that is supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation founded in 1977 and headquartered in San Francisco.
Mission
Aware that an active mind is as necessary to a full life as are social relationships and physical exercise, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Virginia offers educational opportunities and intellectual enrichment to community seniors. The Institute is member-directed and draws upon its members’ resources, as well as other academic and community resources, to organize courses and other educational activities. In this stimulating environment, members may acquire new knowledge, explore ideas, exercise creativity, and share interests and expertise with others of retirement age.
Membership in OLLI at the University of Virginia
We welcome all who are interested in our goals to join OLLI at U.Va. There are no prerequisites, educational or otherwise, for membership—only a desire to continue intellectual exploration. We are dedicated to providing opportunities for adults, 50 and older, to gain knowledge and expertise in a wide variety of academic and recreational pursuits that match our members’ interests and way of life. Our goal is to do this so that learning is fun and interactive. Our courses, lasting three to six weeks, are tailored to seniors’ lifestyles. Courses are held in the daytime, almost always in places with convenient parking. An occasional course requires an on-grounds location at U.Va. You will find directions to all course locations HERE.
When you register for courses, the fee of $100 includes the $25 nonrefundable OLLI membership fee and $75 for a maximum of 12 course units in that semester. No refund of the course portion of the fee will be issued after the start date of your earliest course. We offer two semesters annually, each composed of two six-week sessions (A and B). Should you wish to take courses in excess of the 12 units for Sessions A and B combined, you may do so for an additional fee of $25 per course. For the basic $100 fee you also may participate in all trips, lectures and membership benefits and receive our catalogs and newsletter, OLLI Notes.
Information about tuition assistance is available from the OLLI at UVa office (434-923-3600).
If you choose not to take courses for a semester, you may pay only the $25 OLLI membership fee, which entitles you to remain on our roster, receive catalogs and newsletters, and take advantage of our special lectures and OLLI Outings, as well as our new travel program.
OLLI’s newly formed Membership Committee has been working diligently to secure additional membership benefits for you and hopes to make some announcements in the near future via our monthly e-newsletter, our printed newsletter, OLLI Notes, or OLLI’s spring 2010 catalog.
Donations
OLLI at UVa has been designated by the IRS as a not-forprofit,
501(c)(3) organization. Therefore, your donations,
not including membership and course registration
fees, are tax-deductible. If you are interested in making
a donation, please send your check, made payable to
UVaFund/OLLI, to OLLI at UVa, 1160 Pepsi Place, Suite
114B, Charlottesville, VA 22901, or add your donation to
the Payment Information section on the registration form.