LA Senior College has given classes virtually via Zoom since the pandemic hit last March. The University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn College plans reopen in the fall for students but not for Senior College, due to the need for social distancing. The Senior College is not due to return to physical classes until spring 2022.
In the meantime, the Senior College continues present virtual classes and Food for Thought programs. Since it had to go virtual, Zoom has offered the Senior College the freedom to schedule classes any day, any time.
In the spring 2020 with a sudden lockdown, Zoom classes included cooking, learning to use Snapfish, recognizing birds, and art. The number of classes jumped from eight to 17 as it moved into the fall. Throughout that time, 20-21 senior students have been studying economics, women’s studies, science, geneology and French.
Between Food for Thought and the classes, the Senior College has highlighted many well-known Mainers as teachers and presenters, including Susan Poulin, Rabbi Dresner, Jean Flahive, Christopher Schario, and more.
During this past year, LA Senior College has received two grants, from Martin’s Point and SeniorsPlus. These have allowed the Senior College to purchase equipment so that when students go back into the classroom, the college will still be able to broadcast some of the classes virtually to people who cannot attend in person.
Mary Jane Beardsley began this program using her own equipment more than two years ago, when she realized that people she used to see in the classes were not there any longer because of illness or mobility issues. COVID made it evident that as people age, Senior College needs to make changes in how it presents classes and other events.
The USM LA Senior College Outsiders Club has been able to continue hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and kayaking while following pandemic guidelines. To join the club, join the Senior College.
For more information about the Senior College, email [email protected], call 207-753-6610 or visit usm.maine.edu/seniorcollege.
