We Broke the Code at PSU!

Yes, we found our way to the pot at the end of the rainbow:  free classes at Portland State University.

In the rain!  It took two cellphone calls with Susan, the very patient administrator for the Senior Adult Learning Center.  "Explain again where you are because nothing looks like the 'hi-rise' you mentioned; I'm from New York."  While Ron parked the car a few blocks away, it was my job to find it first--the building with a number on the website but unmarked in real life.

"Maybe it's under 'Aging,' or ,  'Senior' on the directory," I told Ron on another cell call as we worked to reach the same place.  "You have to walk up three flights, then find your way to another stairway to get to the fourth floor."  Suddenly an elevator door opens behind me and there he is--arriving from an entrance on the opposite side of the building.

In our search for lifelong learning opportunities in PDX,* everyone mentioned this good deal at PSU--undergraduate classes at no charge.  Old-fashioned, educated American that we are, first effort we looked for  a catalog of courses.  No.  It's all on their website.  Even in this SALC office there was no hard copy; we have to go to the library for that--and now that we've been sanctioned as participants, we hope to gain entrance to it.

Since much of the semester has gone by, we decided to do a flip through the available classes roster that Susan offered, take our chances on selecting a class by title only.  Ron found Medieval History, mine is Women and Politics.  A half-sheet of yellow paper certifies us.  On the back are instructions for auditing-- wave the paper toward the instructor be "...considerate of students taking the class for credit by not dominating class discussions." Useful advice for old people, always garrulous as we are.

I just realized there are only a few sheets of yellow in our colorful collection brought from NYC.  Enough to make copies in case we lose one--or it falls apart from folding and waving, or gets wet.  Now have back-up in a plastic sleeve.  Going to school offers many challenges in the 21st century.

Over my three years of blogging, I've been curious that other Elderbloggers have not written about their experiences with what is known as "lifelong learning."  It's something that has interested me since before I retired when I designed a program titled, "Creativity in the Third Age."  Described the idea on my Cityworm website.   So, Lifelong Learning lengthens the list of categories here as Ron and I explore what's offered to seniors in Portland.   And what about your experiences?

On Saturdays from March to December the center of the PSU campus hosts the Portland Farmers' Market, both are walking distance from Terwilliger Plaza, our new home.  Surprising unknown, locally grown vegetables appear to challenge the adventurous.

This week we noticed  Ficoide Glacial, slightly tangy French green.  Always free samples to try and consider for next time.

*Department of Clarification:  In this post I'm referring to  programs designed specifically to meet circumstances and schedules of those over 55.  Sometimes they're free like PSU, or have fees like the IRP at the New School in New York City and ones supported by the Osher Foundation. 

Comments

[Gerrie]

I have been too busy with my art, but Mr C took several classes at Sonoma State's Lifelong Learning program. He loved it and misses it. I will tell him about this. They had an actual program of classes just for elders. They were very interesting and taught by the faculty.

[m.e.]

I got my MFA at age 60. Does that count? That seems pretty young, actually.

[Hattie]

I got my B.A. at age 49 & my M.A. at age 52. The former at Portland State and the latter at Reed College. Both good schools, PSU much underrated.

[Marion Vermazen]

So are you enjoying the classes?

[joared]

I got the equivalent of my first B.S. returning to Univ. when in my early forties (and I'm still B.S.ing -- sorry about that,) 'cause I already had a B.A. Then, went on to complete my M.S. -- took my good sweet time, 'cause my children were young (born late in my life.) What with national testing for certification, required "work experience" -- like a physician's internship -- guess I must have been about fifty when I started earning a few shekels. Have to have certain number of annual hours continuing education classes to maintain my certification and licensing. They're anywhere from all day seminars to two or three days.

If I ever stop those classes (fully retire, allowing my license to lapse) I may look into classes offered at several of the Claremont Colleges which are free, and sound like they would be much like you describe yours being.

Yeah, I know from when I returned to Univ. what you say was very important to my and a couple of other older gals, though younger than me, being so well-accepted by the young students and professors -- "...considerate of students taking the class for credit by not dominating class discussions." We were taking our classes for credit, too, but this consideration was still very important. Later years younger students knew us all well then, and were speaking none to kindly about some other older students and when we remarked, "Hey, wait a minute, remember we're older, too." We were told, "Oh, this doesn't apply to you, you're just one of us." That was one of the nicest compliments I had received in a while, and meant a great deal coming from them, since some were so fast, so sharp and I really admired them.

[Hattie]

Skills seem more important than learning to me right now. I'm taking a pottery course and yoga at the Senior Center.

[Anne Gibert]

I'm doing painting at the moment. But I agree that ongoing learning is the way to keep a young mind.

[Dorothy Stahlnecker]

I'm learning every day and it frustrates the heck out of me as I wonder does it ever stop, I think I need a break as it was always difficult for me to sort out what I should remember and what I should put into practical use however, I was given great inner strength therefore I usually make it.

Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com