FAQs

Chances are, you'll find the answer you're looking for right here. If you don't spot what you need, please reach out to us. We're always happy to help.

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Membership
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Do I have to be an OLLI @Berkeley member to register for courses?

Yes. Membership is required to participate in our learning community, per the Bernard Osher Foundation. As an OLLI @Berkeley member, you gain exclusive access to our courses and other member-only activities, including Town Halls, field trips, socials, Member Meetups, volunteer opportunities and more. Learn more about member benefits. We hope you'll consider joining!

What types of membership do you offer?

We offer three types of membership — Single Term, Annual and Premium. Review our membership types and choose the one that makes the most sense for you. 

Can I change my membership type?

You’re always welcome to change your membership type when your current membership expires. You’ll find your membership expiration date in your Member Dashboard.

In some instances, you may change your membership before your current membership expires. You may: 

  • Request an upgrade from a current Annual or Single-Term membership to a Premium Membership. The Single-Term or Annual membership dues will be credited towards the $950 Premium Membership dues, but previously paid course registration fees will not be credited towards Premium Membership cost. The change will go into effect at the beginning of the next term.
Do you offer fee assistance?

Yes! We welcome everyone with a passion for learning. Please consider submitting an application for fee assistance if fees present a barrier to your participation in our community. With fee assistance, you'll enjoy waived membership dues (a $100 value) and 70% off individual course fees. Learn more about our Fee Assistance Program.

Can a couple share one membership?

As a membership organization, we require each individual who participates in our learning community to be a standalone member. Memberships cannot be shared.

How do I update my information in your database?

You can update your contact information, plus change your password and communications preferences, in your Member Dashboard by simply logging into your OLLI account. Learn more about how to navigate the Member Dashboard.

Are OLLI memberships and course fees tax-deductible?

To the best of our knowledge, no. A tax professional would be the best person to contact for advice.

Are membership dues refundable and/or transferrable?

OLLI @Berkeley membership dues are non-refundable and non-transferrable. 

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Registration
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When does registration open?

Typically, registration opens on Mondays (around 9 AM) in the middle of the following months: 

  • July (for fall term)
  • October (for winter term)
  • February (for spring term)
  • April (for summer term)

Check out our academic calendar for exact dates.

Can I see future term course offerings online?

Our website allows us to display only one term at a time. When there's a large gap between terms (for instance, between summer and fall), we can display course offerings in advance of the opening of registration. That's less likely between terms that open/close within a day or two (for example, between winter and spring.) Our brochure (both print and digital) provides a good overview of our upcoming offerings so you can plan ahead.

What’s the best way to register for courses?

Registering online is the easiest and speediest way to sign up for courses. Please email the office if you need assistance or call us at (510) 642-9934. (We check messages in the morning and afternoon.)

Why can't I purchase a membership and register for courses at the same time online?

The price per course is determined by your membership type. For example, if the price of a lecture course is $155 for Single-Term and Annual members, it is $0 for Premium members. That's why your membership type needs to be activated in our system first in order to ensure accurate payment of courses.

Can I register by phone?

Our team is mostly working remotely, and, per UC Berkeley guidelines, cannot take credit card information through unsecured channels such as personal cell phones. 

However, we will gladly assist you with your registration by phone as much as possible, guiding you through the process, step by step. Please call us at (510) 642-9934 and we'll arrange a convenient time to meet (on the phone) and get you registered.

Why do some courses fill up so quickly?

Each term, we offer a small number of hands-on workshops — typically writing- and art-focused — with 24 or fewer spots available. These courses often fill up quickly — sometimes even the day (or even the morning!) registration opens.

How do I add a course?

You can add a course at any point up until the official closing of registration (provided the course is not fully enrolled) by logging into your account and paying the applicable course registration fee associated with your membership type.

How do I withdraw from a course?

Please contact the OLLI office if you'd like to withdraw from a course. Courses can be dropped seven or more days before the start of a term to qualify for a refund. 

Are courses refundable?

Yes. You have up to seven days before the start of term to drop a course for a refund. Course fees are non-refundable after that. Alternatively, you can transfer into another course (in the same term, in the same price tier) on a space-available basis. No partial refunds are available. We cannot carry-over course credit into another term.

Are courses ever canceled?

On rare occassion a course will be canceled before the start of term. If a course you've registered for is canceled, you may choose to sign up for another course with space available or receive a refund.

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Classes
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How do I access my online classes?

Learn everything you need to know about how to access your online courses — both livestream (classes that take place in real-time over Zoom) and video recordings.

Where do I find my course readings, videos and other materials?

All course materials, including videos, can be found in your Member Dashboard. Simply log into your OLLI account to access. Learn more about your Member Dashboard.

Will I always have access to my course materials?

You'll be able to access all of your course materials, including videos, until the last day of the academic term in which you're enrolled. If you'd like to save any of the readings, you may download them at any point prior to that date.

What happens if a class is cancelled due to faculty illness or other reasons?

If a class meeting is cancelled to due to faculty illness or other circumstances such as, for example, power outages (as has happened), we will make every effort to schedule a make-up class​.​ The ability to reschedule is contingent on faculty availability and other variables. Course fees are not prorated if a make-up class cannot be scheduled or attended.

What happens if a class is scheduled on a religious holiday?

We follow the campus policy with respect to accommodation of religious creed. Like other UC Berkeley classes, OLLI @Berkeley classes do not meet on UC Berkeley administrative holidays.

Can I record a class?

UC Berkeley's campus-wide policy on note-taking applies to all OLLI courses. This policy specifies that lectures and presentations are the intellectual property of the faculty and states in part that "Students may not make audio or visual recordings of lectures or class presentations without the advance written consent of the instructor. The recording may not be reproduced or distributed in any manner, including the Internet, without the instructor's written consent."

I have an idea for a class. How do I let OLLI know about my idea? 

We'd love to hear it! Send your suggestion to berkeley_olli@berkeley.edu and we'll forward it to our curriculum team. 

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Accessiblity & Accomodations
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Are OLLI's venues accessible for people with mobility issues?

Yes. All of our physical venues comply with the American for Disabilities (ADA) guidelines for public access. Learn more about how we make our learning environment accessible to all. 

Does OLLI provide accessibility for people with hearing challenges?

Yes. Learn about hearing accessibility and assistive listening options in our physical classrooms as well as information about captioning online classes and events. 

Are course materials viewable with screen readers?

We make every effort to have course readings be 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 so we can provide the materials in an alternate format.

What are your policies regarding animals in OLLI classrooms?

We follow UC Berkeley's policies regarding dogs on campus property and the Access Guide to Animals as Accommodations.

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