Course FAQ & Policies

Course FAQ

How much do courses cost?

Courses are priced individually. Fees can be found on in the course descriptions.
How do I retrieve my user name or password to register online?

Please follow the computer prompts to reset your password. If you need additional assistance, call the office at 615-343-0700 to inquire about your username or to have your password reset.
How do I access class recordings?

Class recordings are sent via email within 48-72 hours after the class. Recordings are only available for the duration of the class.
How do I attend a Zoom class?

You will be sent a ZOOM access link for your class if you have not already — just click the
link and follow the instructions that pop up on your computer screen.
Here are some step-by-step instructions for features within ZOOM.
A Simple Guide to Attending Classes Via Zoom Live-Stream
Are there homework assignments or exams?

There are no exams or grades; however, there might be recommended reading assignments. Occasionally, an instructor may give an assignment in one of our smaller classes to enhance the learning experience.
Who teaches OLLI at Vanderbilt courses?

Our courses are taught by a wide variety of instructors. The majority are current or retired Vanderbilt professors, but there are also many who come from other educational institutions, government and business.
Can I bring a guest?

OLLI students are welcome to bring a single guest one time during the term only if prior approval has been granted. To request pre-approval, email us at oshervu@vanderbilt.edu. We reserve the right to refuse unapproved guests.
How do I get a name badge?

If you are a new member, a name badge will be available on the first day of class at the registration table along with lanyards. Wearing the current term’s name badge is mandatory. Please make sure your name badge is visible when entering class. OLLI name badges are meant to be kept from term to term. Please be sure to save it and wear it for every class and OLLI activity.
What happens if a class is cancelled?
It is rare that we cancel classes, but it does happen occasionally. Here's how it's handled, depending on the situation. It is extremely important for all members to provide us with an up-to-date email address to receive notices from the OLLI at Vanderbilt office.
Weather-Related
- We will post a cancellation notice on the website homepage.
- Cancellation notices will be emailed to enrolled class members. It is very important to check your email before traveling to class if weather conditions are questionable.
- Every reasonable effort will be made to reschedule a class cancelled due to weather conditions or force majeure circumstances. In rare circumstances where rescheduling is not possible, the class series may be shortened accordingly. No refunds will be issued in these cases.
Non-Weather Related
- If a course is cancelled for reasons unrelated to weather or force majeure circumstances, enrolled participants will be notified via email. A full refund will be issued for any class sessions cancelled under these conditions.
What is your pet policy?
Pet Policy: Service Animals Only
To ensure the safety, health, and comfort of all participants, only service animals are permitted to attend classes, activities, and events organized or hosted by Osher Lifelong Learning at Vanderbilt.
Definition of a Service Animal
A service animal is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. The tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.
Examples of tasks a service animal may perform include (but are not limited to):
- Guiding individuals who are blind
- Alerting individuals who are deaf
- Pulling a wheelchair
- Alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure
- Reminding a person with a mental illness to take prescribed medications
- Calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack
What is NOT Considered a Service Animal
- Emotional support animals, therapy animals, comfort animals, and pets do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not permitted at any classes, events, or activities.
- Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support are not considered service animals.
Policy Enforcement
Staff may ask the following two questions to determine if an animal qualifies as a service animal:
1. Is the animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a safe and accessible environment for everyone.

Course Survey & Teach a Course

Course Survey

Recently completed a course? Please let us know your thoughts! Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and used to tailor and create future classes.

Teach a Course

Interested in teaching a course? Please provide more details about your course idea and qualifications by filling out our proposal form.

Policies & Procedures

Class Cancellation Policy
It is rare that we cancel classes, but it does happen occasionally. It is extremely important for all members to provide us with an up-to-date email address to receive notices from the OLLI at Vanderbilt office.
Weather-Related and Force Majeure Cancelations
- We will post a cancellation notice on the website homepage.
- Cancellation notices will be emailed to enrolled class members. It is very important to check your email before traveling to class if weather conditions are questionable.
- Every reasonable effort will be made to reschedule a class cancelled due to weather conditions or force majeure circumstances. In rare circumstances where rescheduling is not possible, the class series may be shortened accordingly. No refunds will be issued in these cases.
Other Cancelations
- If a course is cancelled for reasons unrelated to weather or force majeure circumstances, enrolled participants will be notified via email. A full refund will be issued for any class sessions cancelled under these conditions.
Refund Policy

Due to the low cost at which these courses are offered and the additional cost it would take to process a refund, no refunds are given to those who wish to withdraw. Members can transfer into another course (in the same term, in the same price tier) on a space-available basis or receive credit to apply to a future course.
Privacy Policy

Your privacy is very important to us. Simply stated, our policy is to collect no personal information about you when you visit our website unless you affirmatively choose to make such information available to us.
When you visit our website, our web server automatically recognizes only the Internet domain and IP address from which you accessed our website. This information does not result in the identification of your personal e-mail address or other personal information.
In addition, we gather information regarding the volume and timing of access to our website by collecting information on the date, time, and website pages accessed by visitors to the site. We do this so we can improve the content of our website and this information is not shared with other organizations.
Code of Conduct

OLLI at Vanderbilt’s goal is to create environments that maximize the learning experience for all members. Many of our programs offer a forum for the lively and sometimes passionate exchange of views. To that end, our learning community follows principles of courtesy and mutual respect that promote reasoned discourse and intellectual honesty. Opposing viewpoints are honored and appreciated to preserve the dignity of others.
Violations may include but are not limited to denigrating other’s views or opinions, threatening behaviors, offensive or abusive language, disruptive classroom conduct, sexual harassment or discrimination and monopolizing discussions. Personal attacks will not be tolerated.
Members who do not or cannot adhere to these principles may be removed from class and /or activities and denied the privilege of future participation.
Bylaws

View Bylaws

I love the Osher Steel Band classes and the family atmosphere that has developed. We miss each other between sessions so we often get together for a pot-luck or meet at a restaurant. Friendship and music is a great combination!

Alli Puglisi
Director, OLLI Advanced Steel Drum Band

PMB 407760
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240
615-343-0700
Email