At the Fullerton City Council meeting on October 21, 2025, members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) raised urgent concerns regarding the safety of senior citizens amid plans to relocate their programs to a new facility. Bill Sampson, Vice President for External Relations at OLLI, emphasized the need for a thorough traffic and building safety analysis, particularly at the intersection of State College Boulevard and Dorothy Lane.

Sampson, representing over 1,200 members aged 55 to nearly 100, highlighted the challenges seniors face when crossing the busy thoroughfare, especially those using walkers or wheelchairs. “We are concerned about the traffic safety issues that arise from seniors trying to cross State College with canes, walkers, and wheelchairs,” he stated. The proposed relocation involves moving from the Ruby Gerontology Center to the old Western State School of Law, now known as Titan Hall and ASC Hall, across a heavily trafficked road.

Concerns were not just limited to traffic; the new buildings posed potential hazards from their design. “The largest proposed classroom is situated in a basement area that can only be accessed by a single elevator and a winding staircase. We believe this poses a significant risk in the event of an earthquake or fire,” Sampson noted. He called on the city to conduct a traffic study assessing the impact on both OLLI members and the nearby schools that would also be affected.

Barbara Rosen, a long-time OLLI member, shared a personal evacuation experience from her tenure at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, shedding light on the critical need for safety measures. “Can you imagine over 100 people trying to evacuate that building? Many of them are seniors, and a quarter of them use walkers, wheelchairs, or canes,” she warned, expressing her refusal to teach classes in what she described as a “death trap.”

Patty Tudor, a Planning Commissioner, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the broader implications of relocating the program. “If there is anything the city of Fullerton can do to support us in our fight to keep the OLLI program on campus, we would greatly appreciate it,” she said, advocating for city involvement in ensuring the safety of the senior community.

Council Member Dr. Ahmad Zahra stated, “I would like to propose that we facilitate communication between our staff, the fire department, and code enforcement to engage with Cal State Fullerton regarding the new buildings being constructed there. We should ensure that these buildings comply with code regulations and discuss this matter. I believe it is our responsibility to at least have a conversation with Cal State Fullerton on this issue for the benefit of our residents.”

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shana Charles stated, “I appreciate the concern regarding OLLI. I have been involved in that situation, and I believe that conducting a traffic study is very important to understand whether State College has been a concern. Nearly two years ago, the former Dean of the School of Communications reached out to me about students in their twenties being able to cross safely within the current crosswalk timing. We conducted a small study at that time, and I think we were able to increase the duration of the crosswalk signal. It is crucial to assess whether the crosswalk provides sufficient time for individuals with mobility issues to cross safely. This is something we definitely want to investigate further. Additionally, we hope that everyone can remain in the Ruby Gerontology Building. That building is their home, and they would like to stay there.”

OLLI members hope their requests for a traffic and building safety evaluation will prompt actionable measures that protect the well-being of seniors amid the proposed transitions from the Ruby Gerontology Building to Western State School of Law.