Wisconsin Perk

For those of us 60+, there is an extra perk for being a Wisconsin resident. If you don't know about it, you might find it interesting.

Wisconsin residents over 60 years old are allowed to audit University of Wisconsin System courses for free. The general requirements are that the class is open, so that students paying for credit get priority, and that instructor agrees--I've never had one not agree. I think this is more to make up for the fact that there is no way assess prerequisites without them talking to the prospective auditor. And you have to sign a financial agreement that any extra fees (supply fees, for example) are your responsibility. I believe the on-line courses are excluded.

I generally talk to the instructor about how and if they'd like me to interact with the class. While I'd be happy to be a fly on the wall, I find much more value in taking part in the interactive class portions is both useful and fun. So much more fun than when I was young . This semester, for example, in one class the teacher has me unrestricted. In another, I participate, but when it comes to group presentations, for example, I don't--the other group members get graded for it so they should be able to take point.

At this point, I've taken a number of classes in Astronomy, Irish, and Math at UWM. The Math, in particular, is sweet because I promised myself that when I retired, I'd go back and get involved again. I was a Math grad student at Madison in the late 70s/early 80s.

But I'm also intrigued in courses I wouldn't have been back in the days. There was a "Development of the American City" course this semester that really called to me. Timing didn't work out, though.

And the cherry on top is for me library privileges...