About the Willamette Institute for Continued Learning (WICL)
Established in 1992, Willamette Institute for Continued Learning (WICL) serves retired and semi-retired persons over the age of 50, who wish to explore opportunities for continued learning in an academic environment. Members come from many different walks of life and have diverse interests. What they do have in common is a desire to continue learning.
Membership requirements include:
- an interest in life-long learning within the Willamette University environment
- the time and desire to attend classes
- access to the Internet and to e-mail
- willingness to contribute to the academic programs and/or administration of ICL
- support to Willamette University, its faculty and students, in achieving the mission and goals of the University.
In particular, ICL members agree to attend most of the classroom sessions each semester, and to participate in the various activities and offices of the Institute.
For detailed membership policies and procedures, see: Membership Policies and Procedures.
Current membership is 160, a number limited by the available meeting space. There is a waiting list to join.
An annual non-refundable membership fee (currently $165ºº) is required for participation. Membership renewal deadline is the last day of the Spring Semester each year.
Further information may be obtained from the Membership Director by clicking on "Contact Us" in the INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUED LEARNING MENU in the upper right (red dot).
An application form for ICL membership can be filled out online and submitted electronically (start by clicking on the "Applying for ICL Membership" link in ICL MENU in the upper right).
Program Overview
ICL is a self-directed academic program. ICL members who serve on the Curriculum Committee design the instructional program. At the same time, ICL is part of the University and operates under the general oversight of the University to ensure consistency with University values and policies.
Lecture/discussion sessions cover the range of the liberal arts and sciences. Individual instructors include current and retired Willamette University faculty and other qualified guest speakers. ICL members agree to provide one-third of the sessions. The program is non-credit and there are no examinations.
Classes currently meet on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and continue in the afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. On Thursdays we meet from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (not in the afternoon). Classes meet in Cone Chapel in Waller Hall, unless otherwise shown in the schedule.
Prior to Covid-19 we also had day long field trips which we hope to get back to having. There is usually an annual picnic preceding the beginning of the Fall semester. Each semester ends with a luncheon and a General Membership Meeting.
A Board of Directors, elected annually, manages Institute operations. Board officers include:
President, Past President, Treasure, Secretary, Director(s) of Curriculum Services, Director of University Support Services, Director(s) of Membership Services, Director(s) of Social Services, Director(s) of Technical Services, and Director(s) of Information Services. (For current Board members, click on the "More about ICL" link on the pull-down menu (red dot) in the upper right and then on "ICL Board 20xx-20yy").