Osher - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Q: What is the Osher Institute?

A: The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, founded in 1996 by a group of retired professors and community individuals under the auspices of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, is an intergenerational community of learners who engage in non-credit college-level course work and participate in field trips and other projects. The Osher Institute began as the Academy for Lifelong Learning and was renamed in Spring 2003 in honor of Bernard Osher, a San Francisco philanthropist who provided our program with three generous $100,000 grants in years 2003 - 2005.

Q: What is the mission of the Osher Institute?

A: The members of the Osher Institute hold a common vision of older adults as a resource for society. They recognize that older persons have continuing social, developmental, and intellectual needs, and they understand that UH Manoa, with its land-grant mission and history of public service, is a natural place to develop a center devoted to lifelong learning. Our mission is to promote lifelong learning, personal growth, and community service opportunities.

Q: Who is eligible to join Osher Institute?

A: Any mature person with life experience and a desire to learn may join Osher Institute. There is no age limit in this intergenerational program.

Q: Are there exams or grades?

A: Neither exams nor grades are given in our courses and workshops. Our program is for students who are curious about a topic and love to learn.

Q: Are there fees for each course?

A: Osher Institute is a membership organization. For an annual membership fee of $150, students may enroll in three courses over three terms (Fall, Spring, Summer). Term memberships are also available at $60 per single term and entitle members to take three courses during that term.

Q: May I enroll in more than three courses?

A: If a member has already selected three courses in a given term, waiting lists are sometimes available for selected courses and workshops. If space is available and a member wishes to take a fourth or fifth course, we allow those members to be wait-listed and inform them of their enrollment status prior to the start of that course.

Q: I'd like to offer a course or workshop. How do I do that?

A: Just call 808-956-8224 and ask for a course proposal form. Our curriculum review committee will evaluate the proposed course and make recommendations to our staff. We are always interested in discovering new and innovative course offerings.

Q: What are Osher Institute instructors paid?

A: We wish that we could compensate our instructors, but it's not possible at the present. All of our instructors are volunteers. Parking scrip, visiting colleague access to the libraries, bookstore gift certificates, and photocopying priviliges are provided.

Q: How large are typical courses? How long do they usually last?

A: Courses and workshops are offered during three terms and most are either single-session workshops or classes of just four or five weekly sessions. Course enrollments are typically 15-25 persons. Some classes assign readings from handouts or texts. Some require no out-of-class assignments.

Q: What is the Osher Institute endowment?

A: In 1998, a fundraising venture was launched with a goal of raising $1 million for the lifelong learning endowment managed by the UH Foundation. The purpose of the endowment is to support the lifelong learning program in all its endeavors and continue its activities for future students of lifelong learning. Thanks to the generosity of our members, our development campaign has raised more than $250,000. For more information about the Osher Institute endowment, please contact karinm@hawaii.edu.

Other questions? If you would like further information about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or if you know someone who might enjoy participating or teaching in our program, please call us at 808-956-8224 or email: rgoodman@hawaii.edu. We look forward to meeting you.