The Golden Scholars Program at Colorado Mesa University is a program designed to grant scholarships to students over the age of 60. The program has been actively helping older members of Grand Junction take courses at CMU with a discount, and without the stress of earning a grade. The members can enroll in almost any CMU course, get a Mavcard for library access and get discounts for events in theater and sports.
The discounted tuition rate for Golden Scholars is $25 per credit hour, plus any regular course fees and includes a CMU email and online access. The program is a unique and cheap opportunity for community members to experience college without the expensive tuition, but still obtain a college degree.
It’s not a large or well-known program within CMU or the Grand Junction community, but it provides many notable opportunities for the older generation.
Some of CMU’s golden scholars are here to get a degree or finish one, but most are here to further their knowledge, experience new things and take classes that didn’t exist when they were younger. Some students even enroll originally to get a college degree but stay to continue their education with a few classes per semester.
Each department has golden scholars enrolled, but the more popular programs are ones surrounding culture or humanities, such as the art or English programs. Golden Scholar students most often enroll in courses they’re interested in.
Although the program is not a big one, the golden scholars need direction and advice from faculty members as much as younger students do. Based on the major and department their classes are in, the head of each department usually acts as an advisor and assists in class enrollment and answers any questions the scholars may have.
Suzie Garner is the head of the art department at CMU and has had many golden scholars come through the program in the past.
“I think golden scholars are good to have in the classrooms here, especially the studio and activity based classrooms. Their enthusiasm and dedication is inspiring for other students. About 99 percent of students that come through are here to take classes to help them earn a major, and sometimes a minor. They don’t take general education classes as much, but the students in those classes are doing central learning. Golden scholars tend to take higher level courses. The number of golden scholars, in the art department at least, is a low number, even though they’re great to have in the classroom. When I retire, if I wanna learn about something, I’d love to take a course,” Garner said.
The registrar’s office helps the golden scholar participants in class enrollment and completing degrees.
Barbara Crane, an assistant registrar, explained, “They can enroll in a campus class if there’s an opening come the week before classes start. They enroll in an audit mode, so they’re not taking the course for grades, mostly just for continued education. If there’s a prerequisite or a class that’s closed they have to go through the same process as traditional students would and get the instructor override to get into the class. I think it’s a good gesture for us to have relations with our community members, and I know the members in our community that take part in the Golden Scholars program appreciate being able to come in and take the classes, keep engaged and keep learning. I know that we have several Golden Scholars participants that take repeat classes each semester, so they obviously enjoy the program and enjoy the classes cause they continue to come back.”
The registrar’s office has been the main assisting factor involved in getting golden scholars members involved in our school and supports the students in any way they can.
The Golden Scholars Program, although small, has been a positive influence on CMU’s community as well as the city of Grand Junction. Professors, administration and students alike appreciate the Golden Scholar member’s enthusiasm for classes and involvement and participation in the campus.
The program gives CMU a unique connection to the members of Grand Junction that separates CMU from other Universities in Colorado.
