California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) proposed relocating the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) community across State College Boulevard to Titan Hall as a solution to CSUF’s facility management issues. The speed of this move and the lack of options presented align with other recent changes to the community relationship with the university.

Charging for previously free Arboretum parking and now charging for CSUF parking 7 days a week closes off local interaction, making it more difficult to enjoy speakers on campus or performances.
Current President of OLLI-CSUF, Vickie Hite, said that she is engaging current and newly appointed CSUF President, Ronald S. Rochon, in discussions about the move, safety issues, and space concerns while trying to maintain the healthy relationship that OLLI-CSUF always enjoyed with the university.

The proposed area is eight classrooms on Titan Hall’s first floor, with no multipurpose room/kitchen facilities or central courtyard area to allow OLLI member engagement. President Hite indicated that OLLI-CSUF supports undergraduate student success, and is hopeful that President Rochon will honor the original good faith understandings between the university and the lifelong learner program, responsibly address safety concerns of the members crossing the busy thoroughfare, and provide the 70 secure parking places that the program has enjoyed.

OLLI members enjoy a legacy that has served the university by funding the building they currently occupy, securing a grant to support ongoing program expenses, and donating to CSUF and the well-being of the undergraduate population and they should expect CSUF to reciprocate by providing a safe, reliable learning environment with equitable technology and storage space to serve the popular program’s needs.

Established in 1979 and located on the CSUF Campus, the Continued Learning Experience (CLE) program quickly outgrew its early space and moved to the 15,000-square-foot dedicated Ruby Gerontology Center in 1988. The center includes eight classrooms, an auditorium, a central courtyard, and a multipurpose room, all fully funded by donations and dedicated to Cal State University Fullerton trustees, with the understanding that it would provide a permanent home for mature learners. Renamed the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in 2006, when a Bernard Osher Grant was accepted to provide ongoing funding for the program. It currently serves over 1200 members.

OLLI’s mission provides opportunities for community members age 55+ to continue learning in a university campus environment, engage with peers, collaborate with CSUF organizations, and support the university through donations. The agreement allows participants a student parking pass, access to the campus library, two free admission tickets to all CSUF athletic events, a student store discount, and discount tickets to performing arts center events. Members may sign up for unique OLLI classes that cover subjects from computers, science, and history to poker, book clubs, and unraveling politics and religion. Members may also audit CSUF classes with the instructor’s permission.

For more than 45 years, senior learners have been a CSUF fixture, performing flash mob dances, giving instrumental and vocal performances, and interacting with each other and undergraduates, fulfilling their mission as lifelong learners.

Talks will continue at the end of October, with the move planned for January 2026.

To share your comments and suggestions, please contact the following:

• CSUF President Ronold S. Rochon_________657)278-3456  |  presidentrochon@fullerton.edu
• Olli Program _____________________________657)278-2446  |  olli-info@fullerton.edu
• Past CSUF President and current CSU Chancellor, Mildred García LB office____(562)951-4000
  This office is in charge of CSU facilities and planning at the state level.
• State Assemblyperson Sharon Quirk Silva La Palma Office  (714)521-6713
• State Senator Steven S. Choi Irvine Office (714)544-1035

Support our advertisers click an ad below.