OLLI stands for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. OLLI@SCU is one of 118 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes made possible by generous grants from the Bernard Osher Foundation. There are Osher Institutes from Maine to Hawaii, and collectively they have over 90,000 members.
OLLI is a community of learners age 50 and better. Instruction is at university level, but no particular educational background is required. There are no tests, grades, or papers. The classes you select may have some reading or other preparation. To participate in classes, you must be a member of OLLI.
The program is funded by interest from an Osher Foundation endowment, course and membership fees, donations from OLLI members and others. Santa Clara University provides in-kind support (classroom and office space, audiovisual equipment, discounts and services such as finance, purchasing, security and facilities).
If you would like more information on the OLLI program, or would like to get a speaker, someone to staff an information table or get brochures on the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute then just contact the OLLI@SCU office at Olliatscu@gmail.com or call 408.554.2382.
- Calendar of events on campus. Santa Clara University offers many cultural, educational, spiritual and recreational opportunities throughout the year. This calendar will provide a month by month listing of events, dates, times and contact information. In addition to events and programs, several ongoing events will be open to members.
- Music at Noon hosted by Santa Clara University’s Department of Music. This program showcases dynamic and diverse performers from around the world; from jazz to ethnic, classical, and fusion.
- The de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University is the Bay Area’s free art and history museum. You can schedule an “Explore with Me” tour of the ever-changing contemporary art exhibits or a docent-led tour of the permanent California History exhibit, featuring artifacts from local Ohlone Indians, Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara’s rancho period, and the early years of Santa Clara College.
- Mission Santa Clara de Asís. Come join the Santa Clara community for Mass in the historic Mission Church weekdays at 12:05 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. Also, join us Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. for Contemplative Prayer and Song.
- Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are another way for OLLI@SCU members to continue lifelong learning beyond the classroom. A SIG is formed by a nucleus of people with a special interest in the same subject, and who are willing to participate as active, rather than as passive, learners. Special Interest Groups are independent and self-directed, with members deciding where and when they will meet and how the group will function. Meeting regularly, SIGS not only provide new and enriching opportunities to form friendships with other members, they also provide continuity with the OLLI@SCU program over the summer break in the class schedule.
- Invitation to members-only lectures. These special lectures address interests of lifelong learners, including topics on enriching the mind, body and spirit.
- Invitation to members-only social events. These are quarterly social events geared to meet other members, discover what’s new on campus and help define life long learning at SCU.These include the fall kick-off, the Adobe Lodge dinner, the end of the year picnic and destination learning trips.
- OLLI members have access to the library on-campus, as well as varied cafes and student eateries.
Most of all, Osher members are a part of a group of people who care about ideas and knowledge, who know how much fun it is to learn and grow. Being a part of this community allows members to explore a different side of themselves and expand their thinking with fellow learners.
- Discount to all SCU Presents performing arts events. Santa Clara University performing Arts offers a diverse season of music, dance, and theatre events, featuring the talent and artistry of SCU student and faculty performers, directors, choreographers, and crew.
- Osher members get a discount on parking permits for on-campus parking if they wish to purchase a permit. Let the guard at the kiosk know that you are a current Osher member attending an event.
Click here for the campus map
For complete, up-to-date information on campus regulations and the campus parking plan, visit the Campus Safety web site here
- To park on campus or on University-owned property every vehicle must have a valid parking permit visibly displayed between the hours of 6 am and 8 pm, Monday through Friday. Even if you have a handicapped parking permit, you must still purchase a permit at the front gate. A permit is not required on Saturday, Sunday and University holidays.
MAIN GATE: Daily permits are available at the Main Gate kiosk. The main gate is at Palm Drive and El Camino Real. It is clearly marked overhead (white on green street sign) as SCU Main Entrance. It is opposite the Santa Clara Transit Center/Caltrain Station.
- If you are attending a complimentary event on campus (i.e. Music at Noon) you can request a two-hour guest permit free of charge.
- If you are attending an OLLI class, you must purchase a daily pass and pay $3.00 for each visit, which is half price for the day-use permit. Please remember to hang the permit from your rear view mirror, with the date & time visible through the windshield.
CAMPUS SAFETY OFFICE: Permits for the Quarter are available for purchase at the Campus Safety Services (CSS) Office for $50 (half-price regular fee). The CSS Office is located on the ground floor of the Parking Structure. CSS accepts cash, personal checks, Visa or MasterCard for this purchase.
Osher Parking Permits entitle you to park in any commuter student parking stalls, which require an "E" permit. You may park on campus in the following lots: 2nd & 3rd Floor of the Parking Structure, 3rd Mission Lot, Leavey Lot and Loyola Hall Lot.
- All permits must be displayed properly so they are visible from outside your vehicle. Failure to display a valid permit will result in a citation, with a $50 fine.
- Purchase of a parking permit does not guarantee the availability of parking spaces in any particular lots or campus areas.
- The Osher office (Guadalupe Hall) does not sell permits and cannot rectify any parking disputes.
Other options to get to campus include:
- Invite a friend to join OLLI with you and carpool together
- VTA: 408-321-2300 or vta.org
- Caltrain (The Santa Clara station is opposite the front campus entrance.): 800-660-4287 or caltrain.org
- Outreach Senior Transit: 408-436-2865 or outreach.org
You may become a member at any time. If your spouse is under age 50 and you are a member, your spouse may also become a member and take classes. You must register online to become a member and take classes.
Registration
Register online at www.scu.edu/osher. This is a secure site and the fastest and easiest way to register. All registrations are done online with a credit card. The Osher Office does not accept cash or checks.
Membership is $55 per academic year per person (August 1 - July 31). If you need to check on the status of your membership, contact the OLLI office at 408.554.2382. You must renew each year.
The fee for each class, activity or program is included with the description.
Courses are in a variety of time formats. Some are multi-week; some are one-day programs. Five weeks is the longest. It is important that you look at the beginning and ending date with each course description.
- Some classes are on Saturdays, but most classes are Monday through Friday in the daytime. Check the quarter calendar to see what is available this quarter. Classes change each quarter.
- Classes are held on the Santa Clara University campus and at The Villages Retirement community in San Jose.
A notebook and pen or pencil is a good idea to bring. You may also wish to bring along a bottle of water or travel mug with coffee or tea. If certain supplies or clothing are needed for a course, we note it in the description.
There are no papers, tests or grades. Some members seek additional enrichment material, which instructors may suggest, but such material is entirely optional. If the instructor suggests reading for preparation, we hope you will do it. Otherwise, you will not be able to participate fully in discussion. If you are in a writing class, you may be asked to do some writing for the following class. As the old saying goes: You get out of it what you put into it.
Current and retired faculty members from SCU, as well as independent scholars from other colleges and universities, lead the classes.
- Class and faculty descriptions are available in the quarterly catalog.
If we do not have sufficient enrollment to cover class expenses, we have to cancel and you will be refunded in full.
- The membership fee is non- refundable, nor can it be pro-rated or transferred.
- Our refund policy has changed. You will no longer be able to request a refund for a class you cannot attend. Beginning in the Winter quarter, we have been given a directive from the finance office that OLLI can no longer request refunds for members who arbitrarily choose to cancel their classes. Our program cannot operate effectively in the manner in which we operate today. The refund exceptions are as follows: the classes that are cancelled by the OLLI office, hospitalization, death or a significant life event, which prevents you from participating.
The Benson Center has a food facility including the Mission Bakery for breakfast and there are a number of restaurants surrounding the campus. Staff at the Adobe Lodge suggests that you arrive early (11:30-11:45) or late (1:00-1:30) if you want to have lunch there.
Benson Center, Mission Bakery, the Adobe Lodge and several restaurants and coffee shops. You also might enjoy bringing a sack lunch and eating in one of the many gardens available on campus.
Calling All Volunteers!
The efforts and support of volunteers such as yourself make the Osher program possible. Volunteers serve as event and classroom hosts and constitute the committees that provide program support for OLLI at SCU. As the program has grown - to more than 1,000 members last year, and more than 75 programs and events - our need for volunteers has only increased.
If you have any interest in helping, we will welcome your involvement. Please contact the Osher Office at 408.554.2382 or olliatscu@gmail.com.
Contact the OLLI office in any of these ways or through the "Contact Us" button on the left side of your screen.
Email: olliatscu@gmail.com
Phone: 408-554-2382
Web site: www.scu.edu/osher
Classes or Events
Our refund policy has changed. You will no longer be able to request a refund for a class you cannot attend. We have been given a directive from the finance office that OLLI can no longer request refunds. The refund exceptions are as follows: the classes that are cancelled by the OLLI office, hospitalization, death or a significant life event, which prevents you from participating.
Membership
There are no refunds for canceled memberships.
Scholarships
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at SCU believes that members who cannot afford course fees should have the opportunity to take classes and participate in the rich intellectual life of OLLI@SCU. There is a scholarship program for qualified members. All scholarship applicants must have a current memberships and complete the OLLI scholarship application 4 weeks prior to the start of classes for the quarter in which scholarship assistance is sough. The Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and notifies applicants. Applications are available at www.scu.edu/osher/scholarships.cfm.