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Original Query from Betty Licht,
College for Seniors, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
What do other ILRs charge for courses and do they have other fees? Ours
is a non-membership ILR, supported by course fees. We charge $50 for an
8-week course (just raised after 9 years from $40). A problem has arisen
regarding persons who register and then cancel right before a class begins
and get a full refund. I would like to institute a "cancellation" or "registration"
fee, which would be withheld if cancellation occurs (for other than medical
reasons) after confirmations are sent out. It is especially troubling when
they register for Great Decisions and I purchase the required number of
books and then the person cancels and we are left with extra books for which
we've paid. Any ideas?
From Roxanne M. Knott-Kuczborski, Caldwell College,
NJ
The Center for Continuing Education Refunds are given until the class begins.
Once class begins there are no refunds given (except for medical reasons,
etc.). My suggestion for Betty is to have students pay for their own books
and, when registering for a class that has specific books, include along
with the registration fee with a disclaimer stating that book costs are
non-refundable. We list the books required in the catalog.
From Budd Schwartz, Lifetime Learners Institute,
Norwalk Community College, CT
We haven't run across the problem. However I don't see why you should be
stuck for the cost of course material you've ordered for people who cancel.
What is important if you institute a cancellation fee is to be sure you
publish it in advance so your members are on notice.
From Noreen Frye, Institute for Retired Professionals,
University of Miami, FL
Here at the IRP at the Univ of Miami, we set up an annual fee ($390) that
allows members to attend as much as they like and to audit university courses.
It saves a lot of wear and tear on the office (me) with registrations, etc.
It also allows folks to come and go and to try out a course. A few of our
specialty classes require registration, however, the core of our program
supports some of the smaller classes that may not fill. At least for now,
it works for us. Hope this helps.
From Carol Duhart, Life Long Learning, Northern
Essex Community College, Haverhill, MA
We used to have this problem with trips. We paid for all the tickets, bus
and meals up front, then people cancelled at the last minute requesting
a refund. Since then we have instituted a NON-REFUNDABLE policy, that is
clearly stated in all our printed information. Then, we politely remind
them of the policy if they request their money back. Sometimes I suggest
they find a replacement for themselves to help them recoup their money.
It is only in very rare cases that refunds are ever given. As for courses,
we follow the college's reimbursement fee policy. 50% refund if course is
dropped at least 1 business day before course starts. Materials, fees are
never refunded. Hope this helps you.
From Pat Rantanen, Lyceum, Binghamton University,
NY
In regard to the question concerning cancellations and Great Decisions.
We charge separately for the Great Decisions book and the course. We send
the book out to registrants with their course confirmation. If there is
a cancellation, we only refund the course registration fee or give credit
to take another course. When we order the books, we order enough for the
class and the instructors and our numbers usually work out. If we need extra
copies for late registrants, we order them individually. This seems to work
for us.
From Dick Mooers, SOAR, SUNY Potsdam, NY
SOAR ILR charges a membership fee of $55 that covers any and all courses
and events for which there are no special costs, such as for materials.
Very few of our courses have such special costs. We will be discussing whether
to shift to a cost-per-course in addition to a modest membership fee. The
intent would be to encourage more to join. We hear from those who want to
take only one or two courses per year, but feel that the membership fee
is too steep for that little activity. We are concerned about shifting our
cost basis, however, as our members are now used to one-fee-covers-all.
From Gene Bammel, SAGE, University of Arizona
When ordering books, we estimate that if 50 sign up, 40 will actually show,
and 10 of those will buy books on the net. When we put out our list of courses,
we state how important it is to sign up only for the course or courses one
is "sure" to attend. A certain amount of attrition is inevitable, given
health and family concerns, but we would like to cut the initial attrition
down to the 10% range. A secondary issue is how many will actually stick
with a course through the semester. We occasionally have a class where attendance
increases as the semester goes along, but usually 10-15% of class will disappear
long before the semester ends. I interpret that as "fast learners" who get
the whole message quickly, and need to move on to something new.....
From Joe Scorpion, Academy for Lifelong
Learning, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Annual Membership Fee (Dues)- $40.00 per member/per year - Course Registration
Fees: $40.00 per term. There are 3 Terms: Fall-Winter/Spring-Summer - Cancellation
Policy: Withdraw before class begins-full refund. Once class begins and
you are registered-No Refund.
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