CAC offers new major
By Fangfang Li | Editorial Assistant
The University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community is offering a new 12-credit hour undergraduate certificate in aging studies through the School for Adult Learning.
The CAC’s new undergraduate certificate aims to prepare students with the ability to work with older adults in the future. It will be offered beginning the first term of the 2009-2010 academic year. The certificate consists of four core courses: GERO-301, GERO-305, GERO-310 and GERO 320.
“There are so many adults now and so many more in the future. Everyone is going to work with, for, or on behalf of older adults,” said Tamara Wolske, CAC academic program director. “So we want to offer the certificate so that our students will have the opportunity to have the advantage when they go into the workplace.”
Wolske also said that 76 million baby boomers—people who were born between 1946 and 1964—are now starting to get to their 50s and 60s. And the fastest growing segment (based on age) of the American population is 85 and over. She said that regardless of other majors and careers, students will be working with elderly people in their future.
“Students maybe work with their customers, clients or patients who are older adults,” Wolske said. “This new program opens up people’s minds not only to their own aging experience and also how to help other people.”
The four core courses are currently available to SAL students. Traditional UIndy students interested in the certificate need to take GERO 301 as a 15-week semester course first and then contact the CAC at cac@uindy.edu for further information. Individuals outside the university may obtain the certificate by enrolling in the Lifelong Learning College as a non-degree seeking option.
“It seems like a very great program for anybody who wants to add gerontology to their courses study,” said junior Stephanie Fritz, CAC administrative assistant. “I’ve taken GERO 301 last semester. And it was a really great learning experience. Learning the different theories of aging was really helpful.”
According to a survey SAL did of its students, more than 100 students responded that they had an interest in the aging studies courses and certificate.
“The program has a lot of potential and it has a lot to offer,” Fritz said. “We need more students interested.”
Also, beginning March 23 and April 20, UIndy sociology students participated in the “Neighborhood Nights for Elderly Residents” program every Monday night. Fritz said she and other UIndy sociology students who are enrolling in the Sociology of Aging course have had a great experience participating in it every Monday.
“It has been really fun,” she said. “We have different activities with seniors each week. We have a professional storyteller come, and we have games. It’s going really well, and I really enjoy it.”
This five-week program takes place at the Southeast Community Services Senior Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and admission is free.
According to Fritz, after seniors come, they have hot meals together. All dinners are served by Second Helpings, a not-for-profit food charity. The Indiana Campus Compact provides grant support to the program.
“A lot of seniors do not have warm meals at night, especially those low-income people,” Fritz said. “So it’s great for them having a hot meal at the end of the evening.”
She also mentioned that this program, as part of their course, has been helping the students learn through experience.
“So we actually have the chance to spend time with seniors and we’ve learned a lot from them,” Fritz said. “They are very smart and wise.”
Fritz also said that the program has helped make them think about their own lives and how to prepare themselves for the future, including financial management, healthy condition and so forth.
“We want to have a positive impact on students,” Wolske said. “So they can have a positive impact on the world.”
