Lewiston-Auburn College Senior College Policies

Books, Materials and Fees for Courses
Chairpersons for Committees
Class Lists Confidentiality
Dropping a Course
Expenses of Directors
Food For Thought
Instructor Privileges
Minimum Number in Course
Oversubscribed Course
Release and Assumption of Risk
Solicitation of Senior College Members
Visitors to Class

1. Tuition of LA Senior College courses includes books and other materials and fees, such as, but not limited to, compact discs and admission fees to museums and other attractions included in a course. Such books and other materials and fees shall be paid by LA Senior College out of funds paid by students who take the course.
2. The cost of books and other materials and fees, as requested by the instructor, shall not exceed 80 percent of the tuition cost of the course. Discounts available as part of the course will be considered in the cost of books and other materials and fees.
3. The instructor shall be provided a copy of the books and other materials and fees without personal expense and shall be reimbursed for costs related to preparation and presentation of the course, such as, but not limited to, printing, photocopying, rental of cds or videos or art supplies.
4. Pertinent provisions of this policy will be explained in the newsletter and course descriptions so that the general membership understands this benefit and its limits. The newsletter and course descriptions will explain that students have access to the LA USM library where additional books and references for the courses(s) taken will be available.
5. The Board of Directors may authorize exceptions to this policy to permit somewhat greater costs for books and other materials and fees for an individual course to be paid from the Senior College Fund Account provided the projected costs of all courses will not constitute an appreciable draw on that Account.

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Chairpersons for Committees: (Adopted by the Board of Directors on November 16, 2006)

Each standing committee should have a chairperson and a co-chairperson. The chairperson shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.  The co-chairperson shall be selected by the chairperson subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

If the chairperson or a co-chairperson is not a member of the Board of Directors, they are encouraged to attend meetings of the Board of Directors even though they are not eligible to vote at the meeting.

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Class Lists Are Confidential (* Adopted by Advisory Board on January 19, 2006)

In accordance with law and University policy, lists of the names of persons registered in a course, or other event, or their address, or telephone number or email address are confidential. Instructors and staff are not permitted to make available lists of such information.

While sociability among persons registered in a course is encouraged and the desire to know the names and other information about other persons in a courses is recognized, people in the course should be aware that it is not possible to furnish lists of those enrolled in a course.

The use of name tags or other means of identification to facilitate communication within a class shall not be considered a violation of the confidentiality policy.

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Dropping a Course: (* Adopted by Advisory Board on October 20, 2005)

A student will have the first two weeks of the semester to drop a course from his/her schedule, and

• Chose another course for the remainder of the semester
• Receive a course credit for the next semester
• Receive 100% refund

After the first two weeks, no refund will be made.
Annual membership will not be refunded.

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Expenses of Directors (Adopted by Board of Directors on September 22, 2006)

The Senior College will pay the expenses of directors when attending events representing, or acting in behalf of, the Senior College, such as, but not limited to the Senior College Conference conducted by the Maine Senior College Network.  Such expenses shall include registration fees, lodging, and travel expenses as approved by the Board.

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Food for Thought: (* Adopted by Advisory Board on June 15, 2005)

The Food for Thought Luncheon Series is held the 2nd Friday of each month. No advanced reservations will be taken after noon the previous day. Those attending without an advanced reservation will be admitted if space is available and “at the door” fee will apply. The admission charge – which will be charged for all attendees – will include lunch.

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Instructor Privileges (* Adopted by Advisory Board on February 16, 2006)

Instructors who teach Senior College courses are volunteers who do not receive monetary compensation for teaching. There are, however, certain privileges to which they are entitled in recognition of their generous donation of time and energy. These are listed below:

• A gift certificate in the amount of $50 redeemable at USM Bookstore in the area; or gift certificates worth $6 each at the L-A Café on the day that they teach for each day that they teach.

• Instructors who commute more than 20 miles each way to teach a course will receive a gift certificate to be determined by the Board.

• Free copies of books or other materials such as videotapes, compact disks, furnished to students enrolled in the course.

• Membership fee and one course fee will be waived for that semester.

• Free lunch at the Food for Thought session at the beginning of the semester when all instructors provide a description of their course.

• Revised September 22, 2006
• Revised November 16, 2006
• Revised February 22, 2007

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Minimum Number in a Course (Adopted by the Board of Directors on April 20, 2006)

At least six persons shall be enrolled for a course to be held. In the event that five or fewer persons sign up, the instructor shall be notified and may chose to continue with the course. [Instructors invest considerable time and effort in preparing a course before the first meeting of a course.] If a course is not offered due to insufficient enrollment, those persons shall be notified and their course registration fee will be returned. If that is the only course for which a person applies, the Senior College general membership fee for that semester will also be returned.

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Oversubscribed Course: (Adopted by Board of Directors on April 20, 2006)

The number of persons who may be enrolled in a course is usually limited by the instructor or the number of places available in a laboratory or studio, as in the case of a computer class. That number will vary depending on the course and the instructor. In the event the persons seeking to be enrolled exceeds that limit, places in the course shall be determined on a first come, first served basis determined by:

1. The date that payment for the course is received when the applicant pays in cash and
2. The date of the postmark when payment is made by mail.

In the event one or more persons previously enrolled notify the administrative staff that they will be unable to attend the course and want to withdraw, the person(s) with the next earliest payment date, who had not been enrolled, will be admitted.

The course registration fee will be returned to those unable to be enrolled because a course is oversubscribed. In the case where the oversubscribed course is the only one that a person wanted to attend and is unable to do so, the Senior College general membership fee for that semester will also be returned.

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