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, 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 discussion. Instructors have the prerogative of inviting/allowing questions throughout the class or asking members to hold their questions until the end of class or another designated time.
Members, instructors and staff of the OLLI at Duke community are encouraged to contact the director (Chris.McLeod@duke.edu) if they observe behavior that is a significant violation of this code of conduct. The director will investigate, and if there is a problem, she will address it directly with the alleged violator and determine the consequences. Violations of the code of conduct may result in the suspension or termination of membership/teaching privileges for a member or instructor or a disciplinary warning/termination of employment for a staff member.
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 type of 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.
Scholarship Support
We want OLLI at Duke courses to be accessible to all who have a passion for lifelong learning. Thanks to the generosity of a former OLLI president, Lynne Blake, scholarship support is available.
If you would like to request scholarship support, please email Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu and ask about our Community Membership. All requests are confidential.
Refund Policy
Membership Dues
Membership entitles you to register for courses and participate in Special Interest Groups and other OLLI activities for the academic year. Membership is available starting March 1 and is good through June 30 of the following year. Membership dues are nonrefundable.
Courses Fees
All courses are priced individually. Course fees are listed in the course descriptions. Payment is accepted online via credit card during the registration process. Payment must be made at the time of registration to ensure enrollment in the courses. If you join the waitlist for a course, you will pay for the course when you are invited to join the class.
All application, administrative, membership, Special Events/workshops, and course material fees are nonrefundable. Payment for dropped courses cannot be prorated or applied to funds for future offerings.
Drop or Transfer
To request a refund (less nonrefundable fees) for a dropped OLLI course, members must submit a written request of cancellation within five business days from the first class meeting by emailing learnmore@duke.edu. There is an administrative fee ($10 for course fees of $50 or less, or $20 for course fees $51 and above) per course dropped. To avoid administrative fees, you can request to transfer to a new class. If the new course costs more, you will be charged for the difference.
No refunds will be issued after five business days from the first class meeting, except in a medical emergency. To request a refund due to a medical emergency, please email Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu.
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
OLLI at Duke follows the lead of Durham Public Schools (DPS) regarding the Severe Weather Schedule
- If Durham Public Schools close, all OLLI classes and activities are canceled.
- If Durham Public Schools delay opening, OLLI classes and activities before 10:00 a.m. are canceled.
- If the Durham Public Schools close early, all OLLI classes and activities at 3:00 p.m. or later are canceled.
Please check your email before you leave your home for class. There may be instances where OLLI classes are in session and a particular instructor cannot travel due to weather conditions. In those cases, OLLI members can expect to receive an email from their Instructor and/or the OLLI office notifying them of the cancellation.
Regardless of the weather or road conditions, every OLLI member and instructor needs to make their own decision about whether it is safe to travel. Please use good judgment before leaving your residence.
Online
Online courses are not affected by weather unless the Instructor loses power or internet connection. If OLLI needs to cancel a course due to a power outage, staff will notify students via email as soon as possible. The class session will be rescheduled for a make-up day at the end of the course or during make-up week.
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.
Recording Disclosure
Many of our online courses are recorded. We announce at the beginning of each class that the staff is starting the recording.
“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.”
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 Guidelines.
Smoking Policy
Duke University is a Tobacco Free campus.