The Senior Auditors Program provides Colorado residents, ages 55 and older, the opportunity to attend classes on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Tuition is free and participants pay just an administrative fee to cover registration, application processing and IT support. The program was established in 1973 and is coordinated through the CU-Boulder Alumni Association.
“The Senior Auditors Program shares the academic excellence the university is known for with the citizens of Colorado,” said Ryan Chreist, executive director of the CU-Boulder Alumni Association. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn and be part of such a beautiful and energetic campus and we’re proud to share this benefit with over 600 auditors a year.”
John and Carol Driver of Boulder have been taking advantage of the program for years. “I’ve audited several anthropology classes and find them fascinating,” said John, who graduated from CU-Boulder in 1968 with degrees in chemical engineering and business. “At times I feel like I know a lot, but being back in the classroom, surrounded by so many inquisitive minds, reminds me of how little I know.”
Benefits have been expanded this fall to bring senior auditors into the official registration system and list all participants on the official class roster. With these changes, participants have the option of ordering official course transcripts and will have access to the CU-Boulder IT system, where most course materials are found. In addition they will receive an ID card granting access to the CU-Boulder library system and have the option of purchasing a Buff OneCard. The administrative fee for the fall 2014 program is $80 for CU-Boulder alumni and $95 for non-alumni.
Anyone planning to audit one or more classes should first visit http://www.colorado.edu/academics/coursesearch to find classes of interest. During the first week of classes, Aug. 25-29, auditors are encouraged to sample classes prior to registration. The final step is registration, which takes place Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Koenig Alumni Center, 1202 University Ave., at the southeast corner of Broadway and University. Registration will take place only on these two days. Late registration will not be available.
Course availability is dependent upon enrollment limits, with tuition-paying students given priority, and on fire code restrictions, which determine the number of students allowed in a room. Grades are not awarded and auditors do not receive credit toward a degree.
The following courses are not available for auditing: participatory courses (voice, choral, etc.); courses offered through Continuing Education; first-year law courses; history undergraduate seminar courses in the 3000s; all graduate level courses, honors courses and courses that have a waitlist; and Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, Farsi and Hindi courses. A full listing of courses that are not available for auditing is available on the website.
For more information, call the Alumni Association at 303-492-8484 or visit http://alumni.colorado.edu/services/senior-auditors/.
Contact:
Ryan Chreist, 303-492-8484
ryan.chreist@colorado.edu
Malinda Miller-Huey, 303-492-3115
malinda.miller-huey@colorado.edu