By Cathleen Love and Betty Heiss
The Center for Learning in Retirement (CLIR) became an UConn Extension program in 2013. CLIR’s mission is to provide meaningful intellectual activities for adults from all walks of life, which closely matches with Extension’s mission to provide the knowledge and expertise of the university through outreach and public engagement. There are currently over 280 participants in CLIR and new members are always welcome. CLIR members are engaged in meaningful and stimulating classes taught by university faculty, community members, government and nonprofit agencies, legislators, clergy and experts from business and industry.
The Center for Learning in Retirement was created in 1991 based on a need identified in the community to offer educational programming for retired adults. The University of Connecticut Board of Trustees approved it as part of the then Division of Extended and Continuing Education. The positive response of the community confirmed the appropriateness of this outreach effort. Historical documents show that from a mailing to 600 residents within a 15-mile radius of Storrs, 200 people attended the first meeting and another 150 were interested in learning more. The program “clearly tapped a nerve and opened an opportunity for the University to serve a population we have ignored in the past.
Members of CLIR meet in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere in the Vernon Cottage on the UConn Depot Campus. Ample parking is available and the cottages are handicapped accessible. There are no academic requirements to participate in CLIR and no tests, term papers or age limitations. CLIR staffing and teacher are volunteers.
All of the classes meet during the day, Monday through Friday from 10:15 am to 11:45 am or 1:15pm to 2:45 pm. CLIR operates on a three-session schedule: fall, winter and spring. Each session offers up to a dozen single classes and approximately eight courses. A course may be as short as two weeks or as long as eight.
The program offers a buffet of topics. Classes have been offered on current events like Global Climate Change and School Reform or topics related to history, literature and the arts, science and religion. For those who enjoy writing, each session has a Memoir Club that meets every Thursday morning for nine weeks. Recent speakers have included the Presidents and several Deans from both Eastern Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut.
Membership in CLIR enriches the minds and broadens the horizons of all who participate. It also affords an opportunity to meet new people and form friendships. This happens in the classroom and during the social time that is organized at each session. Participants in CLIR have the opportunity to discuss issues and concerns in a safe environment where everyone is welcome.
CLIR is a membership based, self-supporting organization led by volunteers.