We hope the responses to the following frequently asked questions will help you fully understand the Institute. We also have links to additional sites of interest and attached a brief streaming video made when we were called Renaissance Institute.
The OLLI at Boise State, formerly the Renaissance Institute, is an educational program serving the adult community with continuing learning opportunities through college-level lectures and short courses chosen to stimulate intellectual discussion and deepen understanding. In 2006, when the Institute received funding from the Bernard Osher Foundation, it changed its name from the Renaissance Institute to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State. We also work in collaboration with community organizations.
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Course and lectures are presented by university faculty, emeriti faculty and experts drawn from the community. Topics range across the disciplines and members have a voice in determining the focus of the sessions.
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Any interested adult is welcome to join the Institute.
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The Institute currently offers fall, spring and summer seasons.
Membership for one season (fall or spring) costs $35. An annual membership costs $55.
Note: In 2009 there will be no additional fee for summer. If you are a member in the spring or fall of 2009, you may register for summer classes as well.
Boise State Alumni, Emeritus Guild members, and AAA members receive a discounted $50 annual membership rate.
Membership assures seating in lecture presentations in the Lecture Series and the opportunity to register for Short Courses. Courses are inexpensive and vary depending on length of instruction. The average cost is $45 per class.
For more membership information, visit our membership page.
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Yes. Individals that need a financial assist may apply for scholarships that will cover the cost of an annual membership and half the cost of classes. To request an application, please phone Extended Studies at (208) 426-1709, or download an Osher Scholarship Application and follow the instructions.
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Lectures and courses are held in various locations that lend themselves to the course presented. We strive to identify places that enhance the topic of the lecture and or that allow for lecture style seating in a relaxed setting. For example, courses have been held in the Student Union on the Boise State campus, the Flicks Theater, The Cabin, Boise Art Museum, the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy, the Idaho State Capitol Building, the Basque Museum, the Water Center and the World Center for Birds of Prey. We have also taken courses on the road and some courses include field trips.
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Yes, and please do. We welcome your guest at any lecture in the lecture series, but we ask that members bring a different guest to each session, limiting each non-member guest to one visit per season. Please call (208) 426-1709 a week ahead to reserve a space for your guest.
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The Institute offers special events which generally allow for more interaction between members than is possible in classes. Often members meet ahead of or after class to socialize.
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You can become a member and register for classes at the same time, or become a member now and register for specific classes later. However, please note that classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so register early.
For information and registration forms, visit our Registration page.