May 14, 2003

Think of it as a club for perennial students who believe learning's an adventure that should never end. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a new program at the College of Extended Learning that offers custom courses, forums and field trips for experienced, engaged learners.

Geared toward people 50 years and older, OLLI is a membership program for exploring creative interests, current events, wellness and life transitions. It will offer workshops, public forums and courses that tap into the knowledge and experience of the Bay Area's older residents.

Programs will be taught by senior or emeritus faculty from SFSU and other universities as well as expert professionals from the College of Extended Learning. OLLI is supported by a grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation.

OLLI launches this Thursday, May 15, from 1to 3 p.m. with a free forum on deferred income and the potential retirement crisis facing the Baby Boom generation. Guest speaker is William Sokol of the labor law firm, Van Bourg, Weinberg, Roger and Rosenfeld. The forum will be held at the College of Extended Learning's Downtown Center, 425 Market Street, in Room 209.

Check the College of Extended Learning Web site for upcoming OLLI courses in artmaking and storytelling, international affairs and current events, redefining aging, wellness and the future of San Francisco.