Welcome to OLLI at Illinois
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Illinois is an inclusive, member-driven lifelong learning community. It offers educational, cultural, social, and wellness opportunities throughout the year in person, online, and in hybrid formats. Membership is open to all adults, regardless of previous education or age.
History
The Osher Foundation
OLLI at Illinois is a grantee of The Bernard Osher Foundation and is affiliated with the national Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Network. The local website describes a network of more than 120 institutes and more than 130,000 members nationwide. OLLI also receives support from the Illinois Office of the Provost and donations from members and community partners.
OLLI at the University of Illinois
OLLI at Illinois launched in fall 2007 with 11 courses and 297 members. It has grown to offer fall and spring courses, four annual study-group sessions, lectures, interest groups, wellness programming, workshops, social events, and collaborations with campus and community partners.
Mission and Vision Statement
Mission Statement
“OLLI at Illinois provides educational, cultural, and social programs to engage minds, enhance well-being, and foster joy among lifelong learners.”
Vision Statement
{NEEDS RESOLVED} The public website does not label a separate vision statement.
Staff & Contact Information
Main phone: 217-244-9141
General email: olli@illinois.edu
Office hours are are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Staff information is available on the Directory webpage.
Location
Address and Arrival
OLLI at Illinois is in the M2 Building at 301 North Neil Street, Suite 201, Champaign, IL 61820. The suite is on the second floor, on Neil Street between Church and Hill Streets.
The Hill Street Parking Deck, located at 123 W Hill St, Champaign, IL 61820, with entrances/exits on Hill and Randolph Streets, is the closest parking option for visitors. Full parking details.
- From the Hill Street Parking Deck: enter M2 through the door on the second level, pass through both doors, follow the hallway to the elevators, turn left, and continue to the OLLI office.
- From the Neil Street entrance: enter through the glass doors, take the elevator to the second floor, turn left, and follow the hallway to the OLLI office.
Accessibility
Members who need disability-related accommodations or special assistance should contact OLLI at 217-244-9141 or OLLI@illinois.edu. Contact the office as early as possible so arrangements can be discussed.
Floor Plan and Emergency Procedures
{NEEDS RESOLVED} The public website does not provide a verified floor plan marking exits, stairs, AED, or transport wheelchairs, and it does not publish building-specific emergency procedures. Insert a facilities-approved accessible floor plan and emergency guidance before publication.
Membership
Eligibility and Membership Year
Membership is open to all adults, regardless of age or previous education. Membership years run from July 1 through June 30. Membership fees are not prorated and are nonrefundable.
Annual Fees and Programming Costs
Visit About Memberships for a full breakdown of memberships options and costs. We have two membership categories - Annual (includes access to all programming, whether in person or online) and Online-Only Annual (includes access to any online (ZOOM) programming). There are also some affiliate discounts and scholarships available.
Please note that Affiliate and online-only members are not eligible for the OLLI Scholars iCard.
Related Programming Costs are available on the About Memberships page.
Benefits
- Eligibility to register for courses, study groups, lectures, interest groups, workshops, wellness offerings, and special events, subject to membership category and space.
- Lectures and some events at no additional charge; other programming is priced à la carte.
- For eligible annual members living within 50 miles of Champaign-Urbana, the option to request an OLLI Scholars affiliate iCard for library access and certain affiliate benefits. A new request is required each membership year.
How to Join or Renew
- If you have never been a member, or have not been a member since 2024, create a new account in the current registration system.
- Choose a username of at least six characters and a password of at least eight characters that uses upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Sign in return to the Join or Renew page, select the appropriate membership, and complete checkout.
- To pay by check, first create the online account, then call the OLLI office at 217-244-9141 for registration assistance.
Liability Waiver and Media Release
The Join or Renew page requires members to complete the OLLI at Illinois Liability Waiver and Media Release before or after purchasing membership in order to complete registration.
Scholarships
Scholarships reduce the $60 annual membership fee by $50, leaving a $10 membership cost. Scholarship recipients then pay 30% of programming fees (for a course, or study group, etc.). Scholarship applications are reviewed by the OLLI Director, and applicants are contacted within one week of receipt.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates for memberships and course or study-group fees are available online. Purchasers may buy online through their OLLI account or call 217-244-9141 to purchase. Purchasers must also complete the OLLI Gift Certificate form (to let us know who the recipient is).
Rights and Responsibilities
Members may participate in OLLI activities after paying the applicable fees and agreeing to required terms. Membership does not confer University of Illinois student, staff, or faculty status. Under OLLI’s Policies and Procedures, the Director, in consultation with the Advisory Council Chair, may decline or terminate membership when an individual’s actions are inconsistent with or harmful to OLLI’s best interests
Programming
OLLI programming may be in person, online via Zoom, or hybrid, meaning synchronous participation both in a room and online. Members should verify format, dates, times, location, capacity, and fee before registering.
Courses
Courses (non-credit) are offered in fall and spring in eight-week and four-week formats. They are taught by current or emeritus university faculty, regional educators, and community experts. Course fees are à la carte.
Study Groups
Study Groups are organized and led by OLLI members on a wide variety of topics designed to encourage active discussion and engagement. The Member Facilitator organizes the group but does not need to be an expert on the topic. Study groups sessions are offered four times during the year when courses are not in session and typically meet for 6 sessions. Study Group fees are à la carte.
Lectures
Lectures are organized throughout the year, with the brownbag lunch series occurring concurrently with the study group sessions. Speakers have included faculty, community experts, scholars, and artists from across the country and around the world. Lectures are free to all OLLI members. To introduce non-members to OLLI, members are encouraged to bring a non-member guest for lectures. Please contact the office to register a guest.
Interest Groups
Interest Groups are a way for OLLI members to share an interest they have with other members on a regular basis. Groups are are facilitated by OLLI members. Some Interest Groups take place at OLLI and some in the community, depending on the group. Interest group fees are $10 per group.
Wellness Program
OLLI 's Wellness Program offers 60-minute sessions for members to continue practicing what they have learned in Wellness courses at OLLI or elsewhere. Members are expected to have some experience with yoga prior to participating in the Wellness Program Yoga sessions. Wellness Program sessions are taught by experts and are limited in size. They meet once a week for 6 weeks during the same periods as the Study Group sessions. Fees are $65 for six 60-minute sessions.
Workshops
COMMENTS REGARDING SECTION CONTENT NEED RESOLVED (ref 2026-05-28_KendallsPart_DRAFT OLLI Membership Handbook.doc)Workshops are a new type of programming [JA3.1]at OLLI in Illinois. We look forward to offering a variety of participatory learning opportunities at OLLI and in the community for our members.
Daytrips
OLLI organized daytrips for members to various spots within a single-day's travel. Trips have included outings such as to the Art Institute of Chicago, Broadway in Chicago shows, the Peoria Riverfront Museum, and more. Daytrip costs varies.
ZOOM Links
Zoom links for Courses and Study Groups are emailed to registered members at the start of each semester. They are also posted in your OLLI My Account when logged into the OLLI website: click on My Registrations; select the current Term; in the table below, the Meeting Link is on the far right.
{NEEDS RESOLVED} TODO — The public website does not state a standard Zoom-link delivery schedule, captioning practice, or assistive-listening inventory. Verify and add operational details.
Hospitality
We have a Member Lounge as well as a Member Library/Coffee Room in our suite for you to enjoy before or after classes. Please use them to commune with other members!
Annual Programming Dates (Yearly)
- July to mid-August (6 weeks): Summer Study Groups & Wellness Program
- September & October (8 weeks): Fall Courses
- November to mid-December (6 weeks): Fall Study Groups & Wellness Program
- January to mid-February (6 weeks): Winter Study Groups & Wellness Program
- Mid- February to Mid- April (8 weeks): Spring Courses
- Late-April to early-June (6 weeks): Spring Study Groups and Wellness Program
Cancellations, Drops, Refunds, and Wait Lists (Needs confirmed)
Cancellations
Courses that are low enrollment by approximately 2 weeks before the start date may be cancelled. Registered members of those courses will be notified via email and given a refund.
Drops & Refunds
Any member seeking to drop from something they registered for will need to call or email the OLLI office to formally withdraw. Refund (minus a $10 fee if was charged to a credit card) will be given for drops before the second meeting of the course/study group begins. After the second meeting there are no refunds. Other programming, such as daytrips, will include refund details within the description.
A current study-group page states that a member seeking a course or study-group refund must contact OLLI by email or phone and formally withdraw before the second meeting begins. If paid by credit card originally, subject to a $10 fee.
Waitlists
Once a course or study group reached it's capacity, members may join a waitlist for it. If spots open in the course or study group, members on the waitlist are contacted in the order they registered to see if they want the now open spot.
Class Materials, Make-Ups, and Evaluations
{NEEDS RESOLVED} Ai suggestions below.
Publish the approved accessible-materials process, including the April 2027 ADA/digital accessibility update; the make-up-session policy; and the standard evaluation schedule.
The website warns that dates may change. A current study-group page states that a member seeking a course or study-group refund must contact OLLI by email or phone and formally withdraw before the second meeting begins. Each credit-card refund transaction is subject to a $10 fee.
Guests and Bring a Friend
{NEEDS RESOLVED} AI suggestions below
The public site does not establish a general guest or Bring a Friend policy. Add an approved rule covering eligibility, registration, fees, capacity, liability waiver, and program exceptions.
Parking and Transportation
Visit the Parking at OLLI webpage for full details.
Communications
- OLLI Weekly: members receive the latest programming and event news by email each Friday.
- Website and calendar: visit olli.illinois.edu for membership, programming, registration, deadlines, policies, and event information.
- Weather and urgent changes: watch OLLI email and website announcements.
- eNews: the member-run eNews Committee produces feature issues and fall and spring Bookshelf issues. Active members' emails are automatically added unless they previously opted out.
- Course and program listings: current offerings appear online and may include schedules or downloadable materials.
- Social media: the website links to an official Facebook presence. No official Instagram link was identified in the reviewed site navigation.
Campus Wi-fi
{NEEDS RESOLVED}The OLLI website does not publish Wi-Fi instructions. Add the current University or guest network name, authentication steps, security guidance, and support contact after campus IT verification.
Member code of conduct
{NEEDS RESOLVED} OLLI’s public Policies and Procedures do not contain a separate, detailed code of conduct. They do state that membership may be declined or terminated when conduct is inconsistent with or harmful to OLLI’s best interests and require disclosure or recusal for potential conflicts of interest.
Classroom & ZOOM Etiquette
- Participate respectfully and make room for differing viewpoints.
- Arrive or sign in on time; keep microphones muted when not speaking.
- Follow the instructor’s or facilitator’s discussion process.
- Do not record, photograph, copy chat content, or redistribute class materials or access links unless expressly authorized.
- Protect the privacy of members and guests.
Health and Safety
- Do not attend in person when ill or when your presence may create a health risk for others.
- Follow current building, university, and public-health instructions.
- For urgent emergencies, call 911 and follow building staff or emergency personnel.
{NEEDS RECOLVED}The etiquette and health language above is practical interim guidance, not quoted policy. OLLI should approve a formal member code, reporting process, investigation/response roles, consequences, appeal process, recording policy, and health protocol.
Getting Involved and Volunteering
OLLI is guided by a volunteer Advisory Council and seven standing committees. The current committees are Curriculum, Development, eNews, Lecture, Marketing, Membership, and Study Group. Special committees described in OLLI policy include the Nominating Committee and Council of Chairs.
Find out more about the Committees.
Members interested in service can use the Volunteer Interest Form linked from the OLLI home page or contact OLLI@illinois.edu.
Teaching and Proposing Programs
Funding and support
OLLI at Illinois is supported by The Bernard Osher Foundation, the Illinois Office of the Provost, membership and program revenue, donations from members, and community partners. The public website does not provide a current percentage breakdown suitable for a funding pie chart.
{NEEDS RESOLVED} AI Suggestion: Insert a finance-approved funding pie chart with reporting period, categories, percentages, source data, alt text, and a text table.
Giving
Visit the Giving to OLLI at Illinois for full details.
Optional Member Information
Cultivating New Friendships
- Introduce yourself before or after a program and sit with someone new.
- Join an interest group, study group, wellness session, or social event with repeated meetings.
- Volunteer for a committee or event to work alongside other members.
- Invite conversation while respecting others’ privacy and preferred level of participation.
Member Directory
{NEEDS RESOLVED} If a member directory is developed, require opt-in consent, define permitted use, protect access, provide correction/removal procedures, and obtain privacy review.
Photo and Video Policy
A liability waiver and media release is part of membership registration.
Special Events and Annual Survey
OLLI’s policies call for an annual meeting each June. The Membership Committee also helps plan trips, social events, the annual meeting, and other special events.