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At 69, Janice Warren is not your average university student. She only attends classes of her choosing. She can sit in a class without having to turn in homework and take tests. For her, a three credit hour course costs $75.
Warren has participated in “CMU’s Golden Scholars Program” for three years. After she retired, she wanted to go back to school, but worried about not having the money. Then she heard about the program, formerly known as the Senior Passport Program.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Warren said. “It gets me away from the housework.”
The program is an option for persons 60 years of age or older who wish to enroll in courses for no credit at only $25 per credit hour, plus course fees.
CMU Registrar Holly Teal said there are 34 Golden Scholars enrolled in the fall semester, a record high for the program. Participants choose to take classes for different reasons.
“Some just never had time to do it before,” Teal said. “One gentleman took the entire German course because he was going on a European trip.”
Golden Scholars are treated just like degree-seeking students. They receive a MAVcard, student ID number and a username and password. All classes are available and there is no limit to how many classes participants take as long as they pay the course fee. But they are not able to register for classes until a week before the semester begins.
“First dibs on courses go to currently enrolled degree seeking students,” Teal said.
Since classes fill up quickly, Warren said she sometimes has to get the professor’s permission to take a class.
“It’s usually very easy,” Warren said. “Some will let you do the work if you want to, but some ask you not to because they don’t want to grade it.”
Warren attended classes at “Mesa State College” on and off for 50 years. She attended when it was only a two-year school. While being married and raising a family, she returned to school and earned a four-year degree in 1977.
Warren has studied Latin, and is now taking Ancient Greek I with Dr. Luis Lopez.
“He’s a wonderful man and teacher,” Warren said. “He never humiliates people.”
Although Warren is doing well in Greek and plans to take the second class in the spring, she said learning the language can be challenging.
“You have to have a certain amount of immersion to learn a language,” Warren said. “It’s exciting to learn new things and work out puzzles. Greek is a puzzle to me.”
Steve Cline, 70, and his wife, Diana, have also taken classes through the program.
“[The program is] great for the people in the community that want to go back to school,” Steve said. “They can have the joy of learning without getting wrapped up in grades.”
Although Steve has audited classes as part of the program, he is also a degree seeking student. He recently switched from majoring in studio art to psychology.
“I have to pay the big bucks,” Steve said.
Steve plans to take three classes in the spring: two psychology classes and a Spanish class.
Being surrounded by younger students does not bother Warren. Last year, she came to class early and sat outside the MavPav when it housed the dining hall and bookstore, and would converse with a group of students that would sit there.
“It was fun listening to their silliness,” Warren said. “It’s nice to be in the college atmosphere. I feel like this is a place for everybody. Everyone around you is learning things, and even though my body may be giving out, I want to keep my mind on track.”
ccsandli@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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