Mini U equals maximum learning
The Mini University Class of 2006
Each June, hundreds of IU alumni -- and hundreds of others who didn't attend IU but want to experience a week of intellectual stimulation -- descend on the Bloomington campus for Mini University, or "Mini U," as it is known to its devotees. Winner of 2006 Pride of CASE V Awards for best practices in alumni relations and best collaborative program, this stimulating vacation college offers nearly 100 noncredit classes taught by IU's finest teaching faculty.
Scheduled for June 17-22 this year, the classes are designed to encourage discussion and cover a wide variety of subject matter -- the arts, business and technology, health and fitness, science, the humanities, international and domestic issues and more. Participants may select and attend up to 15 different noncredit classes, most of which are held in the Indiana Memorial Union, and are invited to enjoy optional evening activities, such as a picnic, films, summer theater at the Brown County Playhouse and social gatherings.
Now in its 36th year, Mini University started in 1972 as the brainchild of a group that included Jim Hertling and the late Bob Richey, both from continuing studies; Frank Jones of the IU Alumni Association; and the late Ed Kuntz, who taught business administration. Today, Mini U is sponsored by the IU Alumni Association and IU Bloomington Continuing Studies and run by the dynamic duo of Jeanne Madison and Nicki Bland (and a host of capable assistants), who miraculously manage to keep 450-plus attendees and 100 faculty so satisfied that many return year after year.
Madison, director of Lifelong Learning and Mini University for Bloomington Continuing Studies, has been organizing the educational component of Mini U since 1995 and says that the curriculum just keeps getting better, in large part because of the enthusiasm of IU faculty.
Marjorie Hershey, a professor of political science at IUB and long-time Mini U faculty member, agrees with Madison's assessment.
Mini U classes are designed to encourage discussion and cover a wide variety of subject matter.
"I've always looked forward to teaching at Mini University," Hershey said. "The people in my classes are a joy to teach: interested, articulate, curious and well-informed. They ask great questions -- and best of all, for me as a college teacher, they never e-mail me to say that they weren't in class because they overslept or their grandma got sick."
"Mini U showcases IU's finest teaching faculty," Madison says. "It is considered an honor to be invited to teach at Mini U, because the faculty member is recommended by his/her peers and the department chair. Mini U students are very serious and are deeply appreciative to the faculty's effort and expertise. It is very exciting to be able to bring together eager learners and skilled, dedicated professors."
Bland, director of alumni programs for the IU Alumni Association, says the program has been averaging 100 new attendees per year and that the 50-50 ratio of IU alumni to non-IU alumni has remained steady over the six years she has been overseeing registration, publicity and special events for Mini U.
"Word of mouth is the main way that non-IU alumni hear about the program. We also send out a mailing to all past participants in February," Blanks reports. "The 140 rooms we reserved for Mini-goers at the IMU were booked by April."
"When I retire, I'm going to Mini U -- as a student!" laughed Madison.
The registration fee for Mini University 2007 is $215 through June 1 and $240 thereafter. Lodging and meals are additional. Lodging is available at the Indiana Memorial Union, where a block of rooms have been reserved for Mini U participants. These rooms are only available through the IU Alumni Association, which can be reached by phone at (800) 824-3044 or 812-855-6120, or online at http://alumni.indiana.edu/index.php .
About Mini University Conversations
Mini University Conversations is a series of interviews with instructors from Mini University, Indiana University's award-winning learning vacation. The series was produced by the IU Alumni Association, Bloomington Continuing Studies and the Division of Broadcast and Electronic Media. To listen to the interviews, go to: http://alumni.indiana.edu/profiles/miniu/.
