The information below is for Current and Prospective Instructors:
Please read, then fill out the Course Proposal Form: Course Proposal Form
What is Osher?
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a membership based program offering engaging and intellectually stimulating non-credit courses to adult learners age 50 and better who enjoy participating in a vibrant community of like-minded adults. Our membership includes the greater South Bay Area community residents, active and retired SCU faculty and staff and SCU alumni.
OLLI at Santa Clara University (SCU) was founded by a grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation in 2004. OLLI@SCU is one of 123 programs in the domestic United States. Although course instruction is at the university level, we have no prerequisites, nor do we require homework, papers or tests/grades of any kind.
What subjects are taught?
The OLLI program offers traditional academic courses, the primary interest of our members. However, we also offer classes that may not be part of the traditional university curriculum when they are backed up by solid scholarship. If a topic is appropriate to a university setting, in concert with our mission, and of interest to our membership, we will take it into consideration.
How are courses organized?
Courses are organized in conjunction with the academic calendar at Santa Clara University, on the quarter system. We offer around 18-25 classes per quarter and we have long (8 - 10 hours over 4-5 weeks) or short (4-6 hours, 2-3 sessions) courses or 2 hour lectures that meet in two-hour segments once a week, typically on a weekday in the morning (10 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m). We sometimes offer a morning class on Saturday. Courses may be taught on-line or in-person.
Who teaches for OLLI@SCU?
Our instructors tend to be from Santa Clara University or local colleges and universities. Depending upon the experience and expertise, an unaffiliated instructor may be offered the opportunity to instruct an Osher class or give a lecture. Instructors must be residents of California for income tax purposes and must come to the campus at least once to sign an I9 form, which must be signed by the end of your first day of teaching. Instructors are paid based on their contractual terms with the university. SCU faculty are paid a stipend separate from how non-SCU instructors are paid.
What do instructors need to provide prior to class start?
If your course is accepted, we will need a short and concise course title, description, and bio as well as times/dates you are available to instruct. Finding available classroom space is a continuing challenge, so the greater your flexibility, the likelier we will be able to fit your course into our schedule.
What is a Course Liaison?
Once we receive your Course Proposal Form, you will be assigned a Course Liaison from the Curriculum Committee or if you already know a Committee member, you may ask for that person to be your Liaison.
Your Liaison is your contact and will work with you on the following: explaining our timetables and deadlines, developing your course offering, qualifications for teaching the course and lastly obtaining information about your availability. Your Liaison will propose your course to the committee and address any questions.
Once the course is approved by the committee, your Liaison will work with you to determine the term you will teach, and prepare the material for our course catalog, which includes a short and concise course title and course description, and your biography, as well as what days and times you are available to teach. Finding available classroom space is a continuing challenge, so the greater your flexibility, the likelier we will be able to fit your course into our schedule.
How do we publicize our courses to members?
Each quarter we provide an on-line course catalog that is emailed to all current and lapsed members. We also send out notices regarding upcoming courses and other promotional materials.
If I have questions, who can I contact?
You can contact your Course Liaison, or contact the OLLI office at (408) 554-2382 or email us at olli@scu.edu.