In a show of solidarity and civic engagement, members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University Fullerton (CSUF) staged a peaceful occupation of the university’s administration building and the President’s office on Monday, October 6.

The action was a direct response to CSUF’s proposed relocation of OLLI from its long-standing home at the Ruby Gerontology Center—a move that many members view as a threat to the integrity and accessibility of the program.

OLLI, which has served the Fullerton community since 1979, is a beloved institution among older adults seeking intellectual stimulation, social connection, and continued personal growth. The Ruby Gerontology Center, built entirely through community donations, has been the symbolic and functional heart of the program for decades.

The university’s proposal to repurpose the space for expanding student enrollment has sparked deep concern among OLLI members, who fear the change could marginalize their presence on campus and diminish the quality of their experience.

The occupation began early Monday morning, when dozens of OLLI members—many using walkers and wheelchairs—gathered at the entrance of the administration building. With quiet determination, they formed a human blockade, effectively preventing access to the President’s office.

Signs reading “We Built This Center” and “Lifelong Learning Deserves Respect” adorned the hallways, while members engaged in impromptu lectures, poetry readings, and storytelling circles to demonstrate the vibrancy of their community.

“We’re not here to disrupt—we’re here to remind the university of its promise to lifelong learners,” said Margaret Liu, a retired educator and OLLI member. “This building may be theirs, but the Ruby Center is ours. We built it, we funded it, and we’ve filled it with life for over 40 years.”

The protest remained peaceful throughout the day, with university staff observing from a distance and campus security maintaining a respectful perimeter. OLLI’s Board of Trustees President, Vickie Hite, emphasized that the action was not sanctioned by the board but reflected the deep emotional investment of its members. “This is a grassroots response to a top-down decision,” she said. “It’s a testament to how deeply our members care about their place in this university.”

As negotiations continue between CSUF leadership and OLLI representatives, the occupation has drawn attention from local media and community leaders, many of whom have expressed support for the preservation of the program. Whether the protest will influence the university’s final decision remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: OLLI members are not willing to fade quietly into the background.
Their message is simple but powerful: lifelong learning is not a luxury—it’s a right. And they’re prepared to fight for it, one seminar, one story, and one peaceful protest at a time.

You can read the article “Senior Citizens Angry Over Eviction at Cal State Fullerton From Gerontology Facility, It Raised All the Funds to Build” on the Fullerton Observer website.