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All About OLLI
Tallwood sign OLLI provides opportunities for mature adults to explore intellectual and cultural subjects as well as share their experiences and talents. Members seek to enrich their lives through continued learning. OLLI offers daytime academic courses, special events and cultural activities in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The courses are not offered for college credit or toward degree programs. Classes are offered at Tallwood Annex on the George Mason main campus and at Lake Anne in Reston, Virginia.

Joining OLLI. According to OLLI bylaws, "persons who subscribe to the mission and guiding principles of the Institute and pay dues" qualify as members. You can become a member by filling in the registration form included with the catalog for each term and returning the form with your check for the annual fee of $350. Scholarships are available to those in need. To obtain a course catalog with the registration form, call the or e-mail the office at (703) 503-3384; you will be put on the mailing list for the next term. On this web site you can view OLLI's most recent catalog and the long-term schedule of non-class events.  Catalogs are mailed about three weeks before the registration deadline for the term.

Try Us Out. If you would like to try us out, you may visit one or more classes that are not oversubscribed during one consecutive two-week period while we are in session. Check with the OLLI office to find out whether the class you want to visit has space available.

Mission. The mission of OLLI is to offer to its members learning opportunities in a stimulating environment in which older adults can:
  • share their talents, experiences and skills;
  • explore new interests;
  • discover and develop latent abilities;
  • engage in intellectual and cultural pursuits; and
  • socialize with others of similar interests.
Guiding principles. To accomplish its mission, OLLI is guided by the following principles. OLLI--
  • provides non-credit, non-degree-granting programs, as well as special, cultural and social events;
  • is governed by its members and functions as an intellectual cooperative in which members volunteer in administration and as planners, instructors, organizational officers and committee members;
  • serves as an important resource and forum for the discussion of current issues and concerns of its members and the community; and
  • is an affirmative action, equal opportunity, non-profit institution.
What we offer. Providing opportunities for members to make new friends is a major part of the OLLI concept. We do this by offering:
  • Daytime classes, lectures, and special events led by qualified OLLI members and well-known teachers from George Mason University, government, foreign embassies, and private industry
  • Social activities, including luncheons, open house parties and picnics
  • Volunteer opportunities (see the volunteer page or the Volunteer Handbook for more details), such as:        
    • Developing course ideas
    • Teaching or moderating classes
    • Serving as class liaisons
    • Coordinating special events
    • Arranging social events
    • Assisting the office staff
    • Working on print publications and the OLLI Web site
    • Maintaining computers
    • Raising funds
    • Maintaining the social room and the social room annex
    • Gathering statistics
Other benefits. OLLI members are entitled to a Mason photo ID card, with which you may enjoy a number of campus privileges listed immediately below (but not, unfortunately, free parking on campus). To apply for or renew an existing ID card or account, visit the Tallwood office; you will be given a form to take to the main campus for your photograph to be taken and an ID card issued.
  • Book Store
    • Same privileges as Faculty/Staff.
    • Faculty and staff receive a 10% discount on most merchandise.
    • Exclusions include magazines, newspapers and convenience items or as designated.
  • Dining Services
    • Same discount as offered Faculty/Staff.
    • $3.50 lunch specials at Ciao Hall on Tuesday & Thursday during Fall and Spring semester currently offered.
  • Aquatic & Fitness Center
    • Participants offered annual memberships at the same rate as employees of the University (currently $175).
    • OLLI members receive a parking pass with their membership. This offer does not extend to faculty, staff, administration or other affiliates.
  • Johnson Center Cinema
    • Same discount as offered Faculty/Staff ($1 fee for movies).
  • Library
    • Take out ten books at one time.
    • Books may be withdrawn for a 3-week period with one renewal.
    • Request books from other Mason campuses.
    • Use of Arlington Law Library is excluded.
  • Apple Federal Credit Union
    • Entitled to join as a member of the Credit Union.
    • Same benefits as all Apple Credit Union members.
  • Patriot Center
    • Same discount as offered Faculty/Staff Card holders.
    • Discounts vary per event and require Mason ID card.
  • Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center, Manassas, VA
    • 15% discount off of regular annual membership rates.
  • Center for the Arts
    • Discounts are offered, but not to all events.
    • Discounts vary with performance and require Mason ID card.
  • CUE Bus
    • CUE Bus rides for free with show of Mason ID.
  • United Bank
    • Check cashing privileges at United Bank campus locations (Mason ID required).
Free Mason email account. A Mason email account is also available (described immediately below); see the Tallwood office to obtain an email account.
  • The gmu.edu email account can be used as your only email account or as an alternative email account.
  • With the username and password associated with your gmu.edu mail account, you may connect to the Mason intranet to send and receive e-mail and to access all Mason Web pages ... but all non-Mason Web sites are blocked. Thus, you would need a separate Internet service provider, such as AOL, Cox, MSN, Earthlink, etc., to have access to the complete World Wide Web.
  • The account includes 20 MB of server space on which you may host your personal home page (as some OLLI members have done). 
OLLI's history. Two remarkable women were involved in the early years of OLLI. One was our founder and first LRI president, the late Kathryn Brooks. Another was the late Shirley Fox, who also helped get LRI started and then served as the first LRI vice president. Shirley prepared a fascinating informal history of LRI's first few years. There are a number of Charter members of LRI who are currently active OLLI members. The story of Tallwood House (pdf) was published several years ago by Historic Fairfax City, Inc.
 
We look forward to welcoming you as a new member!

Updated: January 30, 2008
Copyright © 2008 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University. Materials in this publication subject to OLLI-Mason copyright may be reproduced for noncommercial educational purposes as long as credit is given to OLLI-Mason.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University, 4210 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone: (703) 503-3384; Email: olli@gmu.edu; Fax: (703) 503-2832
Original site design and construction by OLLI-Mason member Rod Zumbro.