Policies

OLLI at Duke

Code of Conduct

Curiosity + Connection + Kindness + Compassion = Community

OLLI at Duke endeavors to create a positive and affirming environment that fosters learning and social connection. Members, instructors and staff are expected to demonstrate mutual respect, personal and academic integrity, kindness and a commitment to civil discourse. Ensuring OLLI at Duke is a welcoming, inclusive and affirming learning community is a responsibility we all share. These principles apply to all OLLI courses, events, and programs, whether they are in person or online.

We welcome a lively and passionate exchange of ideas and perspectives. Opposing viewpoints are welcomed and appreciated. Instructors are responsible for leading and moderating classroom discussions. 

Members, instructors, and staff of the OLLI at Duke community are encouraged tocontact OLLI (olli@duke.edu) if they observe behavior that is inconsistent with this code of conduct. Our staff will review the situation thoughtfully and follow up as appropriate. Violations of the code of conduct may result in responses up to and including dismissal from the program.

Access & Accommodations

Duke University has policies in place to ensure people with a wide range of abilities have equal access to its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any accommodation or have questions about the access provided at any course location, please contact the OLLI office by email before your course begins at olli@duke.edu.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Duke University prohibits discrimination and harassment and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, or age. The university also makes good-faith efforts to recruit, employ, and promote qualified minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. It admits qualified students to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students. The university also does not tolerate harassment of any kind.

Refund Policy

1. Membership Dues

  • Membership dues are nonrefundable.
  • Membership entitles the individual to register for courses and participate in Special Interest Groups and other OLLI activities.
  • Membership is valid from March 1 through June 30 of the following year.

2. Other Nonrefundable Fees

  • Application fees
  • Administrative fees
  • Membership fees
  • Special Events/Workshop fees
  • Material fees

3. Course Fees - Drop or Transfer Requests

  • Refunds for dropped courses (minus administrative fees) are available only if:
    • A written cancellation request is submitted within five business days of the first class by emailing learnmore@duke.edu.
  • Administrative fees for dropped courses:
    • $10 for course fees of $50 or less
    • $20 for course fees of $51 or more
  • Transfers to another course are allowed without administrative fees.
    • If the new course costs more, members must pay the difference.
  • No refunds are issued after the five-day window, except in cases of medical emergencies.

For medical emergency refund requests, email OLLI@duke.edu.

 

Registration & Attendance Policy

1. Registration Requirements

  • All participants must be officially registered and have paid any applicable fees.
  • All courses are priced individually; fees apply per member, per course.
  • Payment must be made at the time of registration to ensure enrollment in the selected course(s).
  • If you join a course waitlist, payment is only required once you are offered and accept a seat.
  • Registration is non-transferable; you cannot transfer your registration to another person.

2. Attendance Rules

  • Only registered members may attend classes.

No guests or substitutes are allowed in class. 

Cancellation Policy

OLLI at Duke reserves the right to cancel a course or event due to inclement weather, insufficient enrollment, or circumstances beyond our control; refunds will be made automatically. If a course is canceled by OLLI at Duke, your course fees will be refunded automatically.

Severe Weather Policy

In-Person

In the event of severe weather, OLLI at Duke will assess conditions and make decisions regarding cancellations and delays in as timely a manner as possible. In doing so, we consider guidance from Durham Public Schools, Duke University, and the policies of the facilities where our programs are held.

OLLI will communicate directly with members about any cancellations, delays, or schedule changes. Please check your email before leaving home for class. Our message will clearly state whether classes and activities are canceled, delayed, proceeding as scheduled, or shifting to an online format.

In some cases, OLLI may shift an in-person class to an online format. When this occurs, members will receive direct communication and access information as early as possible. Not all in-person programs can be converted to an online experience.

While decisions may align with local school or university closures, OLLI reserves the discretion to adjust our schedule based on the specific timing of classes, road conditions, instructor availability, and facility access.

There may also be situations when OLLI programs are in session, but an individual instructor cannot travel safely. In those cases, members will receive direct communication from the instructor and/or the OLLI office regarding that specific class.

Regardless of official announcements, each member and instructor should make their own decision about whether it is safe to travel. Please use good judgment. The safety of our members and instructors is our highest priority.

Online

Online courses are generally not affected by weather.

If an instructor loses power or internet access, or if OLLI experiences a power outage, members will be notified by email as soon as possible. Any canceled session will be rescheduled during make-up week or at the end of the course.

Instructor and Member Recording Disclosure

Instructor and Member Recording Policy

This agreement outlines the terms under which OLLI at Duke ("OLLI") may record and distribute course sessions for the benefit of registered members. Instructors will be notified in advance if their course is selected for recording.

OLLI will select approximately 15-20 courses per term for recording based on factors like class size and content. Generally, discussion-oriented courses focused on personal sharing will not be recorded.

OLLI offers recordings of select courses to provide members with additional flexibility and review opportunities, as well as provides access for differently abled members. This agreement applies to instructors ("Instructor") teaching courses chosen for recording.

Instructor Agreement

If the instructor would like their course to be considered for recording, the instructor must agree to the following:

  • Recording and Distribution: OLLI is responsible for all recordings and distributions. All recordings will be initiated by an OLLI staff person.
  • Limited Access for Registered Students only: Recordings will be available only to registered students through the Learnmore student portal during the term.
  • Availability Window: Recordings will be available within 48 hours of the live session and throughout the course. Recordings will remain in the Student Portal for 30 days after the term ends, after which they will be removed from the Student Portal and no longer be accessible.
  • Course Catalog Designation: Recorded courses will be clearly marked in the course catalog for student reference during registration.
  • OLLI Use of Recordings: OLLI may use select recordings for marketing, training, community partnerships, or instructional purposes.
  • Recordings Not Downloadable: members and instructors cannot download recordings.

Instructor Contract Agreement

If the course is chosen to be recorded, the Instructor Contract will include an agreement for recording. The following clause is on the instructor contract that instructors sign:

“By signing below, I agree to give permission and consent to Duke University to allow photographs, video, and audio recordings to be taken of instructor as well as the instructors course activities pursuant to the instruction set forth in this agreement. Instructor further gives permission to Duke University and agrees that 1) photographs, video and audio recordings of instructor taken during the courses and 2) writings and other work produced for the course, and screenshots of instructors writings/work may be used to support Duke community partnerships and in perpetuity in Duke products publications websites and or social media channels.”

Member Agreement

Many OLLI courses and events are recorded. OLLI members and participants agree to be recorded when registering for a recorded course. Members are made aware of recorded sessions and the recording Disclosure (below) via the OLLI Welcome Video and spoken reminder at the start of every recorded session.

“OLLI at Duke is recording this Zoom session to share with the members who registered for this session and OLLI’s community partners. OLLI may also use this recording for instructional purposes and future online learning offerings. If you type in the chat window or unmute yourself to ask a question, your chat message, video image, and name will be recorded. By remaining in this meeting, you are agreeing to these terms and grant OLLI at Duke permission to share your contributions.”

 

Photo Release

By becoming a member of OLLI at Duke, you grant permission for Duke University to use your likeness in photographs/videos in any and all of its publications and in any and all other media, whether now known or hereafter existing, controlled by Duke University, in perpetuity, and for other use by the University. By agreeing to this policy you will make no monetary or other claims against Duke University for the use of the interview and/or the photograph(s)/videos.

COVID-19 Policy

We adhere to Duke University and JRC COVID policies. Policies are changing regularly. For the most up-to-date guidelines please read the In-person Guide.

Smoking Policy

Duke University is a Tobacco Free campus.