OLLI FAQ

California businessman Bernard Osher created the Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco in 1977, focusing on education and health care. The foundation collaborates with university programs nationwide to offer intellectually stimulating, affordable, non-credit learning opportunities in community settings. The Bernard Osher Foundation has set up Osher Lifelong Learning Institute programs at 124 universities and colleges.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Cal Poly Humboldt College of Extended Education & Global Engagement (OLLI at Humboldt) is an innovative program of specially-designed short classes with no exams or grades, and a focus on learners who are aged 50 or better. OLLI at Humboldt offers programming, education, and connections through classes, presentations, and group meetings available to everyone in the community. 

Anyone can be an OLLI at Humboldt member, and membership comes with some surprisingly great benefits. Members get priority registration and reduced class fees with early notification on events and presentations, and shared opportunities with other OLLI programs nationwide. Membership entitles a person to help choose the topics for classes, while also receiving Cal Poly Humboldt student privileges and benefits.

Since 2005, OLLI at Humboldt has provided active lifelong learning courses and events. The success and growth of OLLI is a reflection of the spirit of our university, the incredible community of OLLI members, volunteers, faculty, and the Friends of OLLI.

Membership is the measurement used by the Bernard Osher Foundation to check on the health of its endowment-funded programs. To keep funding OLLI at Humboldt, the minimum level of membership the Osher Foundation expects is 1,000 new and returning members each year. 

It is the goal of OLLI at Humboldt to exceed that membership number each year.

Annual memberships cost $35, and start fresh each year on July 1, but you can join anytime. However, we cannot prorate a membership, and it ends on June 30 -- regardless of the date you joined. Each membership counts towards the goal.

OLLI at Humboldt membership comes with some great benefits. Members get priority registration and reduced class fees with early notification on events and presentations, and shared opportunities with other Osher programs nationwide. Members receive many Cal Poly Humboldt student privileges and benefits. OLLI members also become part of a learning community where they get to actively choose the types of classes they want, attend special events designed just for them, and have the option of proposing to teach a class in which they have special academic or professional expertise.

In addition to supporting Lifelong Learning in our community, a $35 per year OLLI membership entitles you to:

• early notification and priority registration in classes and events.
• discounted $25 per course fee (which is added when nonmembers enroll).
• a Cal Poly Humboldt student email account and Humboldt Student ID, allowing access to most Library services.
• an opportunity to purchase a Jack Pass (with enrollment in a fee-based class).
• eligibility for course scholarships.
• access to the university recreation center (for an additional fee).
• an option to participate in OLLI Special Interest Groups.
• receive the weekly OLLI at Humboldt Newsletter by email.
• Student discounts at area businesses.

See more details about membership benefits and join OLLI today!

Anyone over the age of 18 may register for an OLLI class; however, nonmembers must pay $25 additional fee per class. Up until the week before the class begins, nonmembers may be dropped from the class if space is limited and members wish to enroll. OLLI members have first priority registration for classes.

Yes! Locate the class you want on the OLLI website, and select the “register” link on that class. You will be taken to the online registration form. You may use the online registration form to join, renew, and register for OLLI classes.

You may also download and print out the registration form (PDF), attach payment and mail it to OLLI at Humboldt, or drop it by the OLLI office (with check or credit card information).

If you are having any trouble with online registration access, email olli@humboldt.edu or call OLLI at 707-826-5880.

OLLI classes change each semester. Class subjects can be any of the following categories: Art, Culinary, Current Events, Economics, Film, Health, History, Language & Culture, Leisure Activities, Literature, Mathematics, Mind & Heart, Music, Poetry, Political Science, Science & Environment, Technology, Travel, and Writing.

OLLI classes are held in-person and online.

In-person classes are held face-to-face in a university classroom or an off-campus instructional space, or is a class that includes a field trip.

For classes that require a Cal Poly Humboldt campus parking permit, a permit is included with your registration. After you register for a class, watch your email for the class enrollment confirmation, which provides instructions and a parking code. You may pick up your permit at a parking pay station before you park. See campus maps.

Online classes are delivered 100% online, in real time, via Zoom, a web-based video conferencing service. Video recordings may be available if a registered student misses a class meeting.

OLLI classes start just after the Cal Poly Humboldt semester begins for fall and spring. Keep an eye on this website to see what's happening during the summer. You can also ask to be on the mailing list to receive the OLLI at Humboldt course catalog. OLLI at Humboldt also announces news on its Facebook page, and in its member newsletter.

A limited number of partial scholarships for classes are available to OLLI at Humboldt members only.

See more information on the Scholarships page.

OLLI instructors are experts from the community and current or retired faculty. If you are interested in becoming an OLLI instructor, contact OLLI at Humboldt at 707-826-3713. Learn more about submitting a proposal here.

There are several ways to volunteer for OLLI. Join the OLLI advisory committee or the OLLI curriculum committee. You could also become a classroom assistant.

Or maybe you would like to be an OLLI ambassador, by sharing your OLLI experiences with others.

Also, if you have specific skills that could be shared with OLLI, like organizing social events, writing articles or blogs, taking photographs, etc., your talents and skills could be valuable to OLLI.

To discuss your volunteer options, call 707-826-5880 or email the OLLI staff.

Another way to involve yourself in OLLI is to join or start a Special Interest Group. See a list of all the Special Interest Groups.

See VOLUNTEER for details and to download the OLLI Volunteer Application.

If you have registration or membership questions, call 707-826-5880 or email olli@humboldt.edu.

The OLLI Office is open Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed noon-1 p.m. for lunch).

Note that office hours may change for the month of July: Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed 12-1) and Fri., 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

For other questions, concerns or suggestions, email:
olli@humboldt.edu
or call 707-826-3743

Mailing address:

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
College of Extended Education & Global Engagement
Cal Poly Humboldt
1 Harpst St.
Arcata, CA 95521-8299

FAX: 707-826-5885

The OLLI website is maintained by the College of Extended Education & Global Engagement. If you have questions or concerns about website content, please email OLLI.

Release of Liability forms are required to participate in both in-person and online OLLI classes.

Some OLLI classes include field trips or physical activities with inherent risks. In order for you to participate in one of these classes, you must complete a Release of Liability form at least one week prior to the first class you attend.

If you have any questions about the Release of Liability form, please call OLLI at 707-826-5880 or email olli@humboldt.edu.

As an OLLI member, you are assigned a Cal Poly Humboldt account with a unique user name, and you are issued a Humboldt email address, which is your user name plus "@humboldt.edu."

Once activated, your Humboldt email account gives you access to the Student Center via myHumboldt, and is the main link for communication with Cal Poly Humboldt services and announcements.

Here is how to locate your assigned Humboldt user name:

1. Using a campus computer, or when connected to campus wifi, go to the Cal Poly Humboldt website at humboldt.edu. 
2. Click on the "quicklinks" button at the top of the page.
3. Select "Student Directory" under "Directories"
4. Select "Student Directory" link. Note that this is only accessible to campus-connected computers.
5. In the "Student Email" box search window, type the last name under which you registered.
6. Find your name on the list. Your Humboldt user name is under "User Name." Your user name will consist of your initials and some numbers.
7. Once you have your Humboldt user name, you can set-up or change your account password at humboldt.edu/verify. If you need to retrieve an authorization code or get help with resetting your password over the phone, the Humboldt Help Desk can assist you. Call the Help Desk at 707-826-4357, Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. from noon-10 p.m., or email the Help Desk.

While anyone may be in both programs at the same time – they are separate and require different registration processes. The funding for them comes from different sources, so discounts are not available.

In the Over 60 Program, participants must be at least 60 years of age and take regular semester academic classes at Cal Poly Humboldt for credit, taught by Cal Poly Humboldt faculty.

In OLLI:

• Members are generally 50 years old or better.
• Members choose classes matching their intellectual interests and life experience.
• Classes are taught by current or retired faculty and community members sharing their expertise.
• No grades are given.
• Classes are approximately 2-6 weeks long.