Organization & Member Information

Membership

OLLI Membership is designed to appeal to retired and semi-retired individuals over 50 years of age upon payment of a membership fee. This fee must be paid at the time of registration for the semester they choose to enroll in. The program runs throughout a 12-month calendar with Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Every participant in OLLI must have an active registered account under their own name. One OLLI registration cannot be shared by multiple people whether they are living in the same household or otherwise.

A $375.00 Annual Membership covers the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (September – July during the designated semester dates) and includes the following for each individual:

Workshop registration for the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters
Registration for an unlimited number of Zoom workshops and up to six in-person workshops per semester
Access to free Zoom trainings and a downloadable training guide
Subscription to the OLLI Weekly Bulletin, Weekly Round-up
Special planned events/trips (additional fee may apply)
Access to the OLLI at SBU Lecture Series
Access to library facilities at Stony Brook and campus-wide events
Opportunity to participate in OLLI Committees and Councils
Access to Stony Brook University G Suite (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, etc.) and all other OLLI services

A $200.00 Term Membership covers one (1) of either the Fall (September – November during the designated semester dates) or Spring (February – May during the designated semester dates) semesters for the academic calendar year and includes:

Workshop registration for one Fall or Spring semester
Registration for an unlimited number of Zoom workshops and up to six in-person workshops per semester
Access to free Zoom trainings and a downloadable training guide
Subscription to the OLLI Weekly Bulletin, Weekly Round-up
Special planned events/trips (additional fee may apply)
Access to the OLLI at SBU Lecture Series
Access to library facilities at Stony Brook and campus-wide events
Opportunity to participate in OLLI Committees and Councils
Access to Stony Brook University G Suite (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, etc.) and all other OLLI services

Curriculum

OLLI workshops are designed for retired and semi-retired individuals who are interested in expanding their intellectual horizons in a university setting.

The curriculum is the core of the program, as OLLI is a cooperative that utilizes its members’ experiences, interests and talents to plan and lead workshops and educational programs for themselves and their colleagues. The descriptive term “workshops” is deliberately chosen instead of “courses,” as we offer peer-taught study groups in which the OLLI workshop leader facilitates and encourages other members to participate.

Attendance Policies

All in-person workshop attendees may only attend workshops that they are registered for, in compliance with University safety protocols.
All in-person workshop attendees must sign the provided attendance sheet at every workshop they attend.
Attendees of virtual workshops/events are not permitted to share meeting links or passwords with anyone who is not a member of the OLLI at SBU Program and/or registered for the workshop or event.
As a registered participant of a workshop, it is your responsibility to be in contact with the workshop leader if you are unable to attend.
Please be sure to be in touch so that open seats can be made available to waitlisted participants if applicable.
Failure to notify the workshop leader of two or more consecutive absences may result in you being dropped from the roster.

Session Dates

The OLLI at SBU Program operates on an academic calendar year that runs from September through July during the designated semester dates. All OLLI at SBU affiliated programming (workshops, meetings, events, lectures, trips and more) occurs within the dates and times that their membership designates them as being an active participant of the program. Semester dates are determined by the OLLI office and shared with the membership each year.

Waitlist Policies

During the registration period, if a workshop reaches capacity, some members will be placed on a waitlist. If you are on a waitlist, you may not attend the workshop unless a seat becomes available. In recent semesters, members on waitlists have been invited by the workshop leader to attend one or more workshop sessions when other members let the workshop leader know that they will be absent.

We suggest waitlisted members do the following:

Reach out to the workshop leader via email and express your interest in attending the workshop if a seat becomes available.
In the event open seats become available, the leader may extend invitations to waitlist members.
All waitlisted attendees who join the workshop must sign the attendance sheet.

Members’ Roles and Responsibilities

All members are encouraged to share responsibility for the continued well-being and growth of OLLI. Active participation in workshops, as well as contributions to the organizational needs of OLLI through volunteering for committee membership or other ongoing projects, is strongly encouraged. Members are welcome to attend meetings of the Executive Council and those of all other committees in addition to the regular general membership meetings.

The OLLI Executive Council represents OLLI’s membership by supporting the OLLI Program Director and the leadership of the School of Professional Development in the operations of the program as outlined in the OLLI bylaws. Members who are elected to hold a position on the OLLI Executive Council by the membership are the voices of the members to the OLLI Office Administration and the School of Professional Development. An election for officer positions is held annually during the Spring semester. All elected officers are voting members of the Executive Council.

All members are encouraged to participate through attendance and discussion at meetings. Meetings of the general membership are normally held three times a year.

Member Code of Conduct

The goal of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Stony Brook University is to create an environment both on and off campus of feeling welcomed, respected and appreciated. The program offers members the ability to share freely, without judgment, ideas and experiences through participation in workshops, events and trips that are both educational and social with a goal of maximizing the learning experience for all members. Many of our programs offer a forum for the lively and even passionate exchange of views. To that end, our learning community follows principles of courtesy and mutual respect that promote reasoned discourse and intellectual honesty. Opposing viewpoints are honored and appreciated to preserve the dignity of others.

Transgressions may include denigrating others’ views or opinions, threatening behaviors, disruptive classroom conduct, harassment or discrimination and monopolizing discussions. Personal attacks are especially unwarranted. There is no place for dismissive, hostile, or derogatory comments about or towards workshop leaders, OLLI members, or Stony Brook University staff.

All OLLI participants are expected to treat the Stony Brook University campus, University Staff, Faculty, Administrators and Students with the utmost level of respect in a manner that supports the safety, freedom and the well-being of others. OLLI participants who do not adhere to the principles of respect and courtesy will be removed from the OLLI program and/or denied the privilege of future participation.

OLLI Members Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

Preamble: As a member of the Stony Brook University community and an OLLI member, I agree to promote equality, civility, caring, responsibility, accountability, and respect. I recognize the importance of understanding and appreciating our differences and similarities. While OLLI is a place where the free exchange of ideas and concepts allows for debate and disagreement, all workshop behavior and discourse should reflect the values of respect and civility. Both OLLI members and workshop leaders share the responsibility to maintain an appropriate learning environment that reflects these values.

Therefore:

I will not encroach on the rights of others, either as individuals or as groups.
I accept the obligation to listen to and understand the beliefs and opinions of others and to treat others fairly.
I am accountable for my own behavior. I accept that I am, in part, responsible for the welfare of the OLLI community itself.
I will stand up for the dignity of every member of this community.
I will celebrate and express pride in our community’s diversity in all its forms: race, gender identity, differing ability, religion, sexual orientation or any of the dimensions that make each person uniquely human.

Membership Fee Refunds

Membership fees will be refunded as per the terms below upon written request to the OLLI Program Director. Timelines and refund percentages described below are in reference to the beginning of the semester when fees were paid.

Weeks 1–2: 100% refund
Weeks 3–4: 50% refund
Thereafter: No refund

Please contact the OLLI office if you have questions: 631-632-OLLI (6554) or email olli@stonybrook.edu.

Please note:

Members who opt to purchase two consecutive term memberships within a calendar year (Fall & Spring semesters) are not entitled to the Summer semester at no charge.
If you wish to participate in the Summer semester at no charge, you must purchase an annual membership or pay the Summer semester fee of $100 in addition to any previous term memberships you’ve already purchased.
Changes to a membership type cannot be made mid-year.

Special Events

Special events are announced via email, on the website, and will be included in the “Weekly Roundup.” We are always working to bring you some interesting and interactive special events and trips — both virtual and in person — that will enhance the OLLI Program during the academic calendar year. We hope you will enjoy and participate in some of these events.

Some special event trip fees are non-refundable depending on the type of trip. Each trip’s refund policy will be specified at the time of registration.

Supporting the OLLI at SBU Program

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Stony Brook University has enriched the lives of hundreds of Long Island retirees by providing unique educational programs that allow members to learn, to share, and to connect. Over the years, OLLI has expanded dramatically — both in size and scope — and this growth requires additional resources to enhance our existing programs as well as to develop new ones. Financial support from members as well as private donors will further the Institute’s goal of sustaining a vibrant learning community for mature adults. Every dollar is important and is greatly appreciated!

If you believe that OLLI has added enjoyment to your retirement, if its workshops and activities have stimulated your thinking and introduced you to new friends, or if you are someone who understands the value of programs for lifelong learners, please make a contribution to ensure OLLI’s bright future.

Members are encouraged to make tax-deductible donations to OLLI to help sustain and improve our program with minimal fee increases. We have two active accounts to which members or others may contribute:

OLLI Member Giving Account: supports new initiatives and improvements and maintains special equipment.
The OLLI Commemorative Fund: provides members with a way to celebrate some of the joyous events in our lives, such as births of grandchildren, special anniversaries, weddings, and graduations. The fund can also be used to memorialize the loss of those who are dear to us — or you can contribute to the fund just because.

To support OLLI, please visit the OLLI donation page.