The Ohio State University is committed to offering diverse, quality programs and services that create a desire for lifelong learning. One such program is Program 60.
Ohio residents aged 60 or older are invited to enrich their lives by experiencing the academic excellence and world-renowned research at The Ohio State University. Thousands of Ohioans take advantage of this tuition-free, noncredit/non-degree program to connect to the university community each year. Program 60 participants attend courses on an instructor-permission, space-available, audit basis at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
Office Locations and Hours
Program 60's Columbus campus office is located on West Campus in Mount Hall at 1050 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio. We do not accept drop-in appointments, so please do not go to Mount Hall without a previously scheduled appointment. If you need an appointment, you may call the front desk at 614-292-8860. Let them know you are a Program 60 participant. We offer phone and Zoom appointments at this time. If you need an in-person appointment, send an email to Program 60 with the request. For regional campus information, contact your regional campus Program 60 coordinator.
History of Program 60
While The Ohio State University President Harold L. Enarson, PhD, and his wife were visiting Colorado in 1973, he read an item in a Denver newspaper about a university program for people of retirement age. After requesting more information from the University of Denver, Dr. Enarson presented Program 65 to Ohio State’s Board of Trustees. With the board’s approval in December 1973, Associate Provost for Instruction George Crepeau, PhD, launched the program for senior citizens five days after the start of winter quarter on January 8, 1974.
Program 65 was seen as an opportunity for older persons to continue significant learning experiences for free in selected courses wherever space was available. To participate, individuals were required to be 65 or older and residents of Ohio. Previous university attendance was not a prerequisite, and tests or exams were optional. Registration was handled through the Office of Continuing Education, so participants were not officially admitted to the university, and no credit hours would be given toward degrees. Finally, special identification cards were issued, and various parking and library privileges were accommodated. By the end of the first year, enrollment totaled 185 men and women in approximately 200 different courses.
Encouraged by the successes of Program 65 at Ohio State, the Ohio legislature passed Senate Bill 497 on April 29, 1976, requiring all state-supported colleges and universities to permit senior citizens age 60 or older to attend classes on a non-tuition, noncredit, space-available basis. As a result, Enarson immediately lowered Ohio State's age requirement to 60, and the program name became Program 60.
Directed from the enthusiasm of many participants in Program 65 and then Program 60 toward creating an organization focused on social interaction and community service, the Program 60 Association was formed. Members wrote bylaws in order to function in a business-like manner, and in accordance with the final bylaws, pro tem officers served until an election could be held. Originally set at $2 per year, dues later changed to $5 annually. Today, association members volunteer by serving as ushers at Ohio State's graduation. Many also participate in studies conducted by various university departments.
Contact Program 60
We're here to help you achieve your academic goals. For general aid and questions about Program 60 at the Columbus campus, please email program60@osu.edu.
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