Original Query from Sara Craven at Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement, NC
We would like to know about any programs that are housed in churches or synagogues.
Are your offices there, or just classes?
How much do you pay in rent?
Do you think that being housed there has perhaps been a turn-off for some of your members? Or perhaps a turn-on?
How does your sponsoring University feel about this? Any specific policies?
How does being in a church or synagogue affect your identity as apart of your sponsoring college?

Original Query from Mary Burkhart, AUALL, Auburn University, AL
I'm interested in the discussions regarding space. Our LLI has met in our on-campus hotel/conference center since our beginning 13 years ago. We have enjoyed a 50% discount on room rent, which we were able to negotiate since we were willing to be "bumped" with 30 days notice, and because we agreed to hold our classes mostly on Monday, the facility's least busy day. We learned that we will no longer be given a discount. Therefore, we're checking on other space, and surveying members to see what they prefer. In order to stay in the conference facility, we will have to raise our dues by 50%. Parking is a big issue, and essentially rules out the use of any other on-campus space. We are checking with the large area churches, so I especially appreciate this exchange. I welcome any suggestions.

From Bernard Dumoff, ILR, Albertus Magnus College, CT
Here at ILR at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT we offer some 30 to 35 classes each semester, Spring and Fall. With the exception of two or three for which registration exceeds the capacity of the college classrooms, all of our classes are on campus in class rooms assigned to us by the Registrar prior to each semester. We have had occasion to utilize space in a local synagogue once, and we do take advantage of space offered to us by several local assisted living facilities. But we do prefer to keep most of our classes on campus. Our office space is off campus, since the college was unable to provide us with that space. All of our administrative services are provided by our members - we are a totally volunteer organization - no one gets paid for anything, including our Study Group Leaders. This has worked just fine for us in the 14 years we have been in existence, and we don't expect any changes in the near future.

From Annette Lindsey, Baylor Institute for Learning In Retirement (BILR), Waco, Texas
All of our classes are held in the activity building of a church downtown. We have no room on campus during the day, and if we did, parking would be a nightmare. The building we use has ample parking, a large meeting room on the fourth floor (elevator is nearby), and a convenient area for making/serving coffee and tea. We pay $25 an hour and each session is one and half hours. Most courses run for four sessions. I do not think the location has been a turn off for participants. They want convenience! People from a variety of religious backgrounds participate; however, most all are Christians or Jews. While we have many places of worship in Waco, we have very little religious diversity, mainly denominational diversity. I do not believe that people, regardless of their religious persuasion, would encounter objectionable situations in the building. Inasmuch as Baylor is a Baptist university, meeting at the church is not a problem. Prior to obtaining the current location, we met at various churches around town, and these were not all Baptist. Our name clearly identifies our institute as a Baylor program. Whenever possible, we arrange to have special events on campus such as the annual fall convocation/reception and occasional afternoon lectures. Also, we provide a list of Baylor lectures, concerts, exhibitions, and other performances to all BILR members each semester which reinforces our affiliation. This is a benefit that they appreciate and expect.

From Sarah Benton, Community Academy for Lifelong Learning, State College, PA
1. All of our courses are held in local churches, synagogues, community buildings or retirement communities. Our offices are located in the lower level of a local bank.
2. We pay a very low monthly rent ($192.00 per month) for our offices. This covers all utilities also. In return, we consider this local bank one of our partners. We pay all of our churches and synagogues $50 per course or $100 for two or more courses.
3. Our members very much enjoy taking courses at the local churches, synagogues and community buildings. They say it allows them to get to know the community and what the buildings look like inside.
4. We have no sponsoring university. We are an independently run LLI
5. N/A

From Sara Skaggs, Center for Learning in Retirement, Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL
Our program is housed in a dedicated building. Most classes and office are at this site.
We do not pay rent. This program is under the umbrella of Community Education Outreach.
We offer classes off site, many at churches and a local synagogue. Also, space is provided upon request from the Unitarian Church, Muslim Center, Church of Latter Day Saints, and others.
Offering classes on world religions at the site does not detract from this program or make us lose the identity that it is a Center class. Our college encourages outreach - - it's a win-win all around.

From Martha Klee, Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia
Our organization offers our members 30 to 35 course, three semester a year. We meet at various churches, synagogues, retirement facilities and county district offices (I believe there is no cost for this facility) throughout our large area. I am not sure of the cost for use of the spaces, and our "Space Chair" is out of the country till next week. However, I do know that a local United Methodist Church charges us $20 for 1-1/2 hour use of their rooms. Our members like meeting at these facilities, as the parking is ample and there is easy access to the buildings, not to mention, handicapped friendly. In addition we do have a few classes on campus, but their space is so limited, and walking to and from the parking lot is difficult for some people. Hope this gives you some ideas.

From Sarah Benton, Community Academy for Lifelong Learning, PA
Sorry to hear about the increase in your room rents. I highly recommend checking into area churches. They usually have a large social room and smaller educational facilities. Most will set up the rooms per your request and will let you use their AV equipment. They are also very available during the week days and usually have ample parking. We use churches all the time and think it's a great exchange.

From Joe Scorpion, Academy for Lifelong Learning, Carnegie Mellon University, PA
Our office and three (3)classrooms are all located on the Carnegie Mellon University campus. The office and one classroom are located in the Hunt Library while two other classrooms are located in the Student Center. It is rare that we go off campus. However, we have held and our holding an exercise/movement class at a site operated by the "Religious Society of Friends" for which we pay a modest rental fee of $100. This has presented no problems for us.

From Sara Skaggs, Center for Learning in Retirement, Rock Valley College, IL
The Center for Learning in Retirement is housed in what was once an elementary school - - 5 dedicated classrooms and office space for the program. We do not pay rent - - we're part of Community Education, thus part of the college. Most classes are housed in this building; however, we do venture to churches, synagogues, the Muslim Center, public libraries, etc. when space here is filled. These are not a turn-off for our members & we don't feel this affects the identity of the program. The folks who attend these classes know it's a Center program. Rarely, if ever, is a fee involved with using other space. We plan it that way & usually don't put classes into spaces that ask for a fee. They're usually glad to open their doors for the programming efforts here. It's good for them & good for us! Our college encourages us to reach out to the community as part of the mission of being "the Community's College."

From Stephen Appel, ILR, University of Cincinnati, OH
Local churches and synagogues often have unoccupied Sunday school classrooms available, especially in the morning. Here in Cincinnati we use eight classrooms, averaging thirty seats each, at a large synagogue at a very modest rental since this is really found money for them. They furnish the space and the maintenance; we furnish the audio/visual equipment. It really helps in negotiations if a member or your board is actively involved in the church or synagogue as well. We work in partnership with a local Presbyterian church to offer lecture and discussion panels using the meeting room for smaller gatherings or the sanctuary for large gatherings and concerts. There is no charge to us since the church considers this part of their outreach program as well. We also offer several programs at two senior centers at no cost to us. These centers are crying for activities. One caveat, though, you have to be very careful in choosing a senior center. Too often their membership does not fit your demographics, and just as often the physical facilities are just not up to par. Frankly, we are not particularly keen on using senior centers unless there is a very specific reason.