by Mary McClellan
Introduction
This year’s survey focused primarily on opinions regarding LLI’s programming. Therefore, the results are presented in a narrative format, reflecting the narrative nature of the responses.
The Positives and Negatives
The consensus seems to be that LLI is offering a wide variety of quality classes. Additionally LLI has increased the number of special events, off-Friday classes, and special interest groups, which have greatly fostered increased social interaction among its members. Members repeatedly thanked the presenters for their efforts as well as all the volunteers who make LLI offerings happen. Several members also specifically complimented the assistance provided by our tech support volunteers.
The negative comments tended to cluster around the wish for more diversity among our membership, more Zoom classes for members who have moved away or are finding it difficult to get to campus, larger classrooms to accommodate more students per class, an easier registration process, larger classes so that people don’t get closed out of classes they wish to enroll in, and more communal campus meeting spaces conducive to better social interaction. All of these issues have been exhaustively discussed by Council and will be revisited as they come up.
Bard College Association
We are the Lifetime Learning Institute at Bard College. As such, we benefit from an association with a very prestigious institute of higher learning. We also get to reap the benefits of conducting our classes on a beautiful campus. This is our reality and one that we need to embrace. Bard is a small liberal arts college. It has as a central design the goal of keeping its classes small, so that students may benefit from frequent interaction with the faculty and each other. This is why there are few large lecture halls on the Bard campus. Other LLIs affiliated with universities can offer truly large lecture classes. Bard’s LLI cannot emulate this feature.
In-Person vs. Zoom Classes
As a result of the COVID pandemic, a group of LLI leaders formed a working committee to respond to the crisis. What emerged was a slate of excellent Zoom classes. As the crisis passed, it became evident that the Zoom classes offered opportunities to members who found it difficult to get to campus, and efforts have been made to continue to offer remote classes. However, the reality is that the majority of presenters who are drawn to offer their services to us gratis are people who love the interaction of in-person classes. That is what lures them into prepping a course for innumerable hours and then presenting it to a group of enthusiastic learners. As good as some Zoom classes are, they cannot replicate that experience. LLI will continue to search for quality Zoom classes; however, it is doubtful that we will ever have a full slate of classes that could justify the creation of an alternate level of membership.
Enrolling in Small Classes
Comments repeatedly expressed the necessity of maintaining the intimacy of interactive classes on campus. This is a worthy goal and one that LLI has achieved. These classes necessarily have smaller maximum class sizes. If one of these classes is of primary interest, it is necessary that a member is queued up at 9:00 a.m. on opening registration day to register for that class alone. Members can then go back and register for larger classes. Despite much discussion in Council, there seems to be no alternative way at present of addressing the issue of being closed out of small classes. If any of our members have additional ideas, please get involved and contribute to the solution. Members are always welcome to attend Council meetings and committee meetings.
Program Diversity
Many of our members would appreciate interacting with a more diverse membership. This is a worthy goal. In the past few years, attempts have been made to diversify the content of our classes, and because of the heartfelt inclination of so many of our presenters and producers who work tirelessly to seek out courses that reflect diversity, as well as the efforts of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice Team, this has become a reality. As LLI approaches its 25th anniversary, it is necessary that we look at the structure and geography of our organization. As the neighborhoods surrounding Bard become more diverse and as our current membership expands its social contacts to include more diverse populations, LLI could become a more diverse organization.
We must acknowledge that we are a small organization that has survived and thrived for almost 25 years. We are indeed changing and have become more inclusive in those years. We can continue that growth trajectory while also preserving our original mission: to provide educational opportunities to our current membership and those geographically able to benefit from on-campus courses and activities.
Member Comments
Here are specific comments from our members. The majority of respondents were in the 70 to 84-year-old range.
- Among the 85 to 90+ group of respondents, requests were made for ridesharing to classes and events and additional interaction with Bard students. There was also a request for more distance learning opportunities.
- In the 80-84 group, there were requests for more Zoom classes, due to difficulties in attending in-person classes. One person complained about the cost of lunch at Kline, and there were a few members who felt the course registration process was too difficult.
- In the 75-79 group, there was a request to explore other space options outside of Olin. Having adequate space and classes to accommodate everyone who would like to join LLI was listed as a concern. There was also a wish to become more integrated with the Bard community.
- In the 70-74 group, one respondent wished that we had asked how many classes a member had been closed out of.
- In the 65-69 group, comments were made emphasizing the many social opportunities afforded by LLI and suggesting that more “hands-on” courses be offered.
- In the 55-64 group, hospitality was complimented on the Friday coffee and treats offerings.
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