When and where are courses taught?

 

Courses are generally offered for a length of 8 weeks, each course meeting once a week. Courses are typically offered on Monday through Friday, 10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00 on the campus of California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo. For those unable to attend day courses, or travel to Camarillo, we offer a number of courses in the evening in other venues in Ventura County such as Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Ojai, and Oxnard. For exact days and times, see the current schedule elsewhere on this web site. 

 

What is the cost of membership?

 

Institute membership costs $125 per 8 week session, or $300 for the year (which begins in mid-august), which comprises three sessions. These memberships entitle the individual to take an unlimited number of courses each session that membership is current from among the 10 or more courses offered each session. Limited membership is available for those taking a single course outside of Camarillo. This membership is limited only to that outreach course, at that location, and the fee is $65. Those paying the fee for unlimited courses may take the outreach courses without additional fees. A limited number of scholarships are available each session upon written request. Please contact the Director (805-437-8583) for information on scholarships.

 

What else do I get with membership?

 

OLLI membership gives you access to campus life, which includes attending University sponsored speakers and similar events, access to the bookstore, full library or gym privileges (both requiring an additional fee) and access to museums. OLLI also engages special guest speakers between AM and PM classes, and in some sessions conducts a free classic film program for members, the OLLIFilm Festival. Members are eligible to enroll in our yearly travel program, the OLLITour. These trips are usually related to courses that were offered during the year. In March 2006 we took a custom-designed tour to Venice, Florence and Tuscany, and 2007 tours are being planned for Vienna, and for a Russian river cruise. Members are also treated to regular concerts by the Channel Islands String Quartet, special seating at concerts of the New West Symphony that are related to current courses, and events at the Rubicon Theater. Members receive our quarterly newsletter, the ISLANDER, with news about OLLI, CSUCI speakers and events, and early notice of the coming session schedule of courses. Current members are informed of the upcoming schedule before general notification, thereby having priority enrollment privileges.

 

Who are the instructors, and how are courses chosen?

 

Instructors have special knowledge, background, and skill in the topics they teach. They are carefully screened, and their course proposals closely examined, by the Director and the membership Curriculum Committee.  Nearly all have the terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D.) in their area of expertise and have taught at Colleges and Universities, and for senior classes as well. Many instructors are faculty at CSUCI. Each session, members evaluate their courses and instructors; these evaluations have been consistently outstanding.  OLLI members are encouraged to request courses by contacting the Director or Curriculum Committee members. When prospective courses have been considered by the Curriculum Committee, members are polled for interest in these courses before they are included in the next session. Thus, members have a major role in determining courses by suggesting them, serving on the Curriculum Committee that evaluates proposals, and voting their interest in future courses that have been submitted.

 

Sounds great! How do I get there?

 

Parking, including handicapped spaces, is readily available on campus. A shuttle circles the campus to pick people up at parking lots to bring them to the Bell Tower Building. Unfortunately, parking is not cheap – a daily permit (which can be purchased up to 4 weeks at a time at Public Safety) is presently $6.00. If a member wishes to park on campus more than one day a week, the more economical solution is to buy a student semester permit (presently $145) and return it to the Public Safety office after the fall or winter OLLI session for a 50% rebate. Most economical is to park at the Camarillo train station on Lewis Road (free) and take the VISTA bus to campus for $0.50 each way. It runs every half hour, drops you at the Bell Tower Building, and you can ride with many of your class-mates. A VISTA bus also goes to campus from the Centrepoint Mall in Oxnard.  Camarillo residents can reserve rides with the CAT to meet the VISTA bus at the Camarillo train station.