FAQs

No.  We welcome members and non-members alike to sign up for courses and monthly lectures.

There are numerous benefits to membership including:

• Generous course discounts
• Access to members-only events throughout the year (including our yearly Jazz concert and annual Gala celebration)
• 12 or more free lectures a year
• Access to recorded lectures
• Volunteer Opportunities

There are four (4) types of memberships available to those 50+:

• Individual membership $40 per year
• Individual membership $150 for a Five-year membership
• Couples membership $60 per year
• Couples membership $200 for a Five-year membership

There are four (4) types of gift memberships available

• Individual membership $40 per year
• Individual membership $150 for a Five-year membership
• Couples membership $60 per year
• Couples membership $200 for a Five-year membership

There are numerous benefits to membership including:

• Generous course discounts
• Access to members-only events throughout the year (including our yearly Jazz concert and annual Gala celebration)
• 12 or more free lectures a year
• Access to recorded lectures
• Volunteer Opportunities

Memberships are not reciprocal.

Each Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is run independently so it is not possible to take classes at another OLLI without registering separately for their classes (and sometimes membership).

However, unlike other programs, OLLI at Cal State East Bay does not require membership to enroll in our courses and or lectures.

Membership fees are non-refundable & non-transferable.

Memberships are good for one year, or five years from the date you join so we do not prorate memberships.

OLLI courses are scheduled on a trimester schedule:

Spring/Summer (MAY-AUG)

Fall (SEP-DEC)

Winter (JAN-APR)

1. The program (brochure) of courses and lectures is available on our website and emailed to members on the the second Weds. of the month before the next term in April, August and December.
2. Courses are viewable on our website and registration opens on these dates:

April 15th, August 15th, and December 15th.

Classes sell out and/or are subject to cancellation if underenrolled. If courses are held in-person, space is limited–don’t miss out sign up when you know you want to take the course!

Also, if a course does not meet the minimum number required to hold the class we have to cancel or reschedule it and that is always disappointing.

Bottom line–if you know you want to take a class sign up early.

If an in-person class is full please contact the office to be placed on a waitlist.

Online courses usually don’t have limits so they don’t fill up–except some writing courses which  instructors prefer on the smaller side to accommodate the content and culture of the course.

Please do not attend a class that you are not yet registered for.

The fastest and easiest way to register is right here online. You can register 24/7 on our website.

If that doesn’t work for you… you can print the program course and lectures from our homepage, complete the inside back cover registration page and mail it to the OLLI office: 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord, CA 94521. (Please allow 14 days for mail-in registration processing.)

If all else fails you can contact the office and we’ll be happy to help.

If paying by check, please note to add 10% University check handling fee

Please select your courses carefully as course fees are non-refundable.

Missing a class:

• We know that there are times when schedule conflicts are unavoidable so if you are missing a single class, and the course is being held online, let us know if you would like us to send you the recordings for your missed session/s
• If the course is in-person and there are handouts or materials we’ll get them to you so you stay in the loop

Withdrawing from a course that has started:

• Course fees are non-refundable unless OLLI cancels.
• If OLLI cancels, you may either request a credit card refund, or donate the course fees back to OLLI

Dropping a course that hasn’t started:

• Course fees are non-refundable unless OLLI cancels
• If OLLI cancels, you may either request a credit card refund, or donate the course fees back to OLLI
• If there’s another course you are interested in that is offered in the same term, that has room, you may apply your course fees toward another course (there are no “carry overs” or “credits” from one term to another term)

We update our website with a trimester’s worth of courses and lectures three (3) times a year (APR, AUG, DEC)

We keep our website updated with the current trimester’s courses to prevent the site from being overcrowded with previous classes that are “sold out” and future courses from being unavailable to signup for.

Unfortunately, class auditing, for any reason, is not permitted. Please do not attend a class that you are not yet registered for.

Please select your courses carefully as course fees are non-refundable.

Missing a class:

• We know that there are times when schedule conflicts are unavoidable so if you are missing a single class, and the course is being held online, let us know if you would like us to send you the recordings for your missed session/s
• If the course is in-person and there are handouts or materials we’ll get them to you so you stay in the loop

Withdrawing from a course that has started:

• Course fees are non-refundable unless OLLI cancels.
• If OLLI cancels, you may either request a credit card refund, or donate the course fees back to OLLI

Dropping a course that hasn’t started:

• Course fees are non-refundable unless OLLI cancels
• If OLLI cancels, you may either request a credit card refund, or donate the course fees back to OLLI
• If there’s another course you are interested in that is offered in the same term, that has room, you may apply your course fees toward another course (there are no “carry overs” or “credits” from one term to another term)

Unfortunately, there are no prorations or credits for any classes that a member cannot attend.

• Membership fees are non-refundable & non-transferable
• Course fees are non-refundable unless OLLI cancels. If OLLI cancels you may either request a credit card refund, or donate the course fees back to OLLI
• Dropping a course that hasn’t started–if there’s another course you are interested in that is offered in the same term, that has room, you may apply your course fees toward another course (there are no “carry overs” or “credits” from one term to another term)
• Course registrations are not transferable. The member who registered for the course cannot substitute attendance to a spouse, family member, guest or other OLLI member under any circumstances. No other person, other than the registrant in the class, can attend a course session in the place of a member.

• If a full course must be canceled, due to low enrollment or for any other reason, you may either request a credit card refund, or donate the course fees back to OLLI 

• If a single class session is canceled for any reason, we will make every effort to schedule a make-up class. ​The ability to reschedule is contingent on faculty availability, venue availability, and other variables. Course fees will not be prorated if a make-up class cannot be scheduled.

• OLLI at Cal State East Bay follows the University’s policy with respect to accommodation of religious observance. Like other Cal State classes, OLLI at Cal State East Bay classes do not meet on Cal State administrative holidays.

We are proud to inclusively welcome everyone to our accessible Concord campus.

We have many accessible features on campus and work with the University Accessibility Office to support all Lifelong Learners.

OLLI at Cal State class venues comply with the American for Disabilities (ADA) guidelines for public access; the OLLI office is also accessible.

Common areas and restrooms are also ADA compliant.

OLLI at Cal State East Bay makes every effort to have course materials and readings accessible to members who use screen readers due to visual impairment. If you encounter course readings that cannot be accessed using a screen reader, please contact us at olli@csueastbay.edu so we can provide the materials in an alternate format.

Some of the Concord campus features:

• Plenty of accessible parking close to the classroom
• Curb cuts
• First story classrooms
• Nearby elevators
• Induction Loop system (for use with t-coils*) in our lecture hall
• Classroom amplification
• Large font materials
• Accessible fonts (website and printed materials)
• Power door openers
• ADA compliance

*T-coil or telecoil are small copper wires coiled discreetly inside hearing aids. They can receive electromagnetic signals from a variety of sources and are generally activated easily with the touch of a button.

Use the “Sign-in” area of the website to access your account to request a password reset.

Members, remember to “Sign In” before selecting courses. As you select items you will see your discounted prices.

Not a member yet? Become a member or renew your membership online.

To enjoy discounts as NEW or RENEWING members–first complete and pay for your membership and log out of the website. Then log back in and “Sign In” on the home page before selecting and paying for your courses.

1. Go to the homepage
2. Sign in to your account
3. Make changes and save

1. Go to the homepage
2. Sign in to your account
3. Select Orders to view your recent order, click on courses and lectures to see the details

In-person classes are held on the Concord campus of Cal State East Bay.

4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord CA 94521

We offer OLLI members free parking.  A parking permit is NOT required for OLLI courses at the Concord campus. Please use the Staff/Faculty lot ONLY.

We have six (6) Charge Point EV charging stations. (For current rates please check their website).

We are centrally located in Contra Costa and also offer in-person classes on our off-site locations in Alameda (Mastick Senior Center), Oakland (Lake Park Residences) and Pleasanton (Stoneridge Creek).

In-person classes are held on the Concord campus of Cal State East Bay.

All classrooms are accessible.  We have dedicated classrooms for OLLI members and both a large lecture and social hall.

There is a campus book store that has some packaged lunch items, snacks and coffee as well as after hours vending machines.

We have hydration stations throughout campus to fill re-fillable water bottles, refrigerators and microwaves available.

4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord CA 94521

We offer OLLI members free parking.  A parking permit is NOT required for OLLI courses at the Concord campus. Please use the Staff/Faculty lot ONLY.

We have six (6) Charge Point EV charging stations. (For current rates please check their website).

We are centrally located in Contra Costa and also offer in-person classes at our off-site location in Pleasanton (Stoneridge Creek).

OLLI at Cal State East Bay is committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of our members, participants, staff, instructors, and the communities we serve. As the situation evolves we will make regular announcements and provide updates on our website.

Please visit olli.csueastbay.edu for the latest information on the outlined procedures below:

• Full vaccination is required for in-person attendance–fully vaccinated means the person received, at least 14 days prior, either the second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine
• Masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status*
• Desk and physical distancing of 3’ – 6’*
• Infection rates and variants are being monitored all in-person courses will change to an online format if necessary
• Scheduled cleaning and disinfection take place before and after each OLLI class and for all common areas such as bathrooms, doorknobs, light switches, elevators, etc.
• Check-in procedures will include showing proof of vaccination*
• Requirements will be enforced
• If necessary, contact tracing is handled through the University reporting system
• We will communicate updates and reminders through campus signage, and on our website

*Subject to change

Online classes are held over Zoom.

Zoom links are emailed two (2) business days before the start of classes/lectures.

Almost all classes and lectures are recorded for registered participants.  Recordings are emailed to registered participants within 72 hours after a course/lecture and are available for on-demand viewing for a limited period–generally 7-10 days.

For more information about online learning see the “Online Learning and Accessibility” section of our website homepage.

You will receive the Zoom link to join your online class two (2) business days before your class starts and, if your class meets over multiple weeks, you will be sent weekly reminders to use the same Zoom link each week.

If your class has handouts they will usually be found attached to those weekly reminder emails.

Not every class has handouts. If your class has handouts we will email them to you.

We are committed to conserving resources so we do not print copies of class handouts and we encourage members to use a computer or tablet for handouts rather than printing them out on paper.

OLLI courses have no homework, tests or grades.

OLLI follows the University and Concord campus calendar.

OLLI members are invited to join OLLI’s dynamic, friendly and dedicated team of member-volunteers. Volunteers are essential to OLLI’s mission and success. Volunteering is a great way to: meet new people, develop new skills, share your experiences, contribute to OLLI’s success, provide input into OLLI programs, support the Osher philosophy of “robust volunteer leadership” and to give back!

There are many ways to be involved that match your interests and skills from one-time hour long projects to larger projects that meet several times a year and even a volunteer coordinator role.

To get started complete this volunteer sign up form and we’ll be in touch to let you know about opportunities that are a fit for your interests and skills.

We appreciate your interest in giving back to OLLI.

Donations to OLLI are appreciated and, as we are a non-profit organization, may be* tax deductible.

Ways to give to OLLI:

Direct donation – click here and select “scholar-olli program” for your gift designation

Required minimum distribution (RMD)

Donate in honor or appreciation of somone or to mark a special occasion or milestone

Donate back canceled course fees

Shop through AmazonSmile (see below)

Did you know you can help keep OLLI strong and financially secure, and it won’t cost you a penny?  We’re simply asking you to do the things you already do every day. Register for AmazonSmile before you do your online shopping.

It’s easy and automatic.

Sounds crazy, right? But it’s true! We call it “Free Money” because it’s like finding free money for OLLI.

Smile.amazon.com

OLLI at Cal State East Bay

You can support OLLI at Cal State East Bay by having Amazon donate a portion of your purchase to OLLI — at no additional cost to you. Creating an Amazon Smile account is as easy

as 1, 2, 3!

1. Visit smile.amazon.com

2. Sign in to your normal Amazon account—

3. You will be taken to a charity selection page

Select – Cal State East Bay Educational Foundation

Already using Amazon Smile for an organization, but want to begin supporting OLLI?

Here’s how:

1. Visit smile.amazon.com and sign in

2. Under the search bar you will see the words “Supporting: [your selected organization].” Scroll over this and select “Change your Charity.”

3. Select – Cal State East Bay Educational Foundation – (OLLI) and enjoy shopping and supporting OLLI at Cal State East Bay!

*Check with your financial advisor