Click Here to make a gift to OLLI. Donations help us keep membership and course fees low to keep OLLI accessible to all.

 The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UAF (OLLI) is a membership program of UAF Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning. OLLI provides learning opportunities for seasoned adults (age 50+) in the Fairbanks area. Led by its membership, OLLI offers stimulating courses, lectures, and special interest groups.

Members explore academic and general interest courses in an atmosphere that is intellectually stimulating, but without the stress of tests and grades. Members from all backgrounds are welcomed. They share the common bonds of intellectual curiosity and the experience of their generation. They are self-motivated learners, eager to share opinions, knowledge, and expertise with humor and mutual respect.

OLLI has received generous financial support from the Bernard Osher Foundation and recognizes the generosity of benefactor Bernard Osher by using the Osher name. 

There is at least one OLLI in every state! Click here for a map.

Fall 2017 Dates
Session I: Sept. 11 - Oct. 6
Session I Add-on: Oct. 9 - 13
Session II: Oct. 16 - Nov.10
Session II Add-on:Nov. 13 - 17

Online registration for fall courses opened Wed. Aug. 23.
The catalog is available as a pdf download from our "Publications" page, or come pick one up at the office. 

Spring 2018 Dates
Session I: Feb. 12 - March 9
Session I Add-on: March 12 - 15
ANNUAL MEETING & LUNCH for current members: Friday March 16, 12:00 -1:30 pm
Session II: March 19 - April 13
Session II Add-on: April 16 - 20

Online registration for spring courses: opening date TBA

Looking for materials from your particular OLLI class?

Click on "Classes and Lectures" in the menu at the left.
Then click on "Reference Materials"
The list is ordered chronologically with the most recently posted material at the top.

Courses

Courses are provided for the joy of learning - with no test or grades.   Most meet once a week for four weeks during spring and fall sessions. They are taught by UAF faculty and retired faculty, Fairbanks professionals, and OLLI members eager to share their expertise. Over 200 courses are offered each year on a variety of topics. Some recent topics have included:

       Guitar from Scratch
       Scoundrels in Northern History
       Get the Most Out of Your Digital Camera
       Natural History of Alaskan Seabirds
       Introduction to Chinese
       Chair Yoga
       Sprouting Year-Round
       Great Decisions (a world affairs discussion program of the Foreign Policy Association)
       Philosophical Puzzles and Paradoxes

Educational Travel

Travel programs in various locations in Alaska have been part of the OLLI learning experience. Beginning in 2017, travel opportunities will be arranged through the "Let's Travel" Special Interest Group. UAF-OLLI will no longer contract  with vendors or handle payments.

Membership

Membership is open to adults 50 and older and to their adult companions. Membership is by calendar year (January to December) and includes e-newsletters, socials, special interest groups, and eligibility to register for courses and excursions. We offer two types of membership:

Regular membership is $35 per year. Regular members pay $15 tuition per course for most courses.
Unlimited membership is $185 per year. Unlimited members pay $0 tuition per course. Unlimited membership simplifies adding and dropping courses (no tuition to pay or refund), and if you plan to take more than 10 courses per calendar year, it saves you money, too.