::UT LAMP™ — OLLI
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Just what is UT LAMP™?
A: LAMP is the acronym for "Learning Activities for Mature People" and is the founding organization in the UT Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, started in 1989. LAMP seeks members who desire to pursue lifelong learning and who have an interest in being kept up-to-date on a variety of issues. LAMP is managed by volunteers throughout the organization who form a cohesive community of shared interests.
Q: Who arranges the speakers for all the lectures?
A: The Curriculum Committee is responsible for the LAMP curriculum. The Committee is made up of the Curriculum Chair, the Curriculum Chair Elect and sub-committee chairs for the six categories. Each subcommittee has several members in addition to the sub-chair. All are volunteers, and members are encouraged to join. The committee members actively seek speakers and encourage recommendations from the general LAMP membership.
Q: Is there a way to know who will be giving the lectures on certain days?
A: The complete Curriculum Calendar for the upcoming six-week term is mailed to LAMP members in advance of the start of that term. The name of the speaker and title of the presentation is given for each time slot. The Curriculum Calendar is also available on the LAMP website. A visual representation of the printed calendar is available; also available is an online, updated calendar which often contains expanded information on the speakers.
Q: What if I can't attend all lectures? Will I "get behind" or miss something important?
A: From the beginning, LAMP's philosophy was to present a variety of independent lectures, thus allowing participants flexibility in attendance. Because of the quality of the lectures, many in LAMP choose to attend most lectures. Others "pick and choose" those which are of the most interest to them or which can be integrated into their other scheduling commitments. All members may attend all lectures but can comfortably attend sporadically without "getting behind".
Q: Are the speakers paid?
A: No; all speakers give their time and talents without remuneration. Many speakers return after a year or two and often comment that they enjoy speaking to our attentive and interested group.
Q: Tell me about the Q&A after lectures, please.
A: The morning lectures (9:30 - 10:45 and 11:00 - 12:15) consist of a one-hour, uninterrupted presentation followed by a 15-minute period for questions and answers. The Q&A session is moderated, i.e., those indicating they would like to ask a question are recognized in turn by LAMP members who manage two hand-held microphones, one on each side of the lecture room.
Q: The lecture room must be sizeable; is it difficult to hear the lecture?
A: No. LAMP provides a wireless microphone to the lecturer which enables him / her to move around the front of the room. LAMP has a complete sound system and also has available slide projectors, an overhead projector, and a notebook computer for use with presentations, with screens at the front of the lecture room.
Q: Is there a list of prior speakers and what they have spoken on?
A: LAMP has maintained a complete list of all presentations since its beginning in 1989. Presentations from 1989 to 2002, the inception of the LAMP website, can be viewed as a static list on the website. All presentations (from 1989 to the present) are available in searchable form on the LAMP website.
Q: What is the "member-directed" lecture offered in the afternoon?
A: One afternoon per week, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., a LAMP member presents something about himself / herself. This is listed as Et Cetera on the Curriculum Calendar. Sometimes, several LAMP members will be scheduled during one presentation to give a snapshot of where they have lived or some aspect of their personal and / or professional lives.
Q: Sometimes I have company; may I bring a guest to some of the LAMP lectures?
A: LAMP members and LAMP speakers may invite guests to LAMP programs on a space available basis. Guests will be requested to wear name tags provided by LAMP. LAMP members may want to invite a local friend who might be interested in joining LAMP as a way of introducing them to the program.
Q: What is the format of the Monday Morning Discussion Group?
A; Any interested LAMP member may attend this discussion of current events on Monday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30. The group meets in Room 2.108 at the Thompson Conference Center (across from the LAMP office) every Monday morning throughout the year except on UT holidays when the building is closed. Members in attendance suggest topics for discussion and are recognized by the moderator (a LAMP member) to address the subject at hand.
Q: Tell me more about Cyberlamp.
A: Cyberlamp is a Yahoo e-group which was started and is still moderated by a long-time LAMP member. While Cyberlamp is not an official LAMP function, it provides an easy way for members to communicate with each other (email goes to all in the group) on items of interest. It is also used to alert the subscribers to last-minute changes in the curriculum and serves as a mechanism for reminders about upcoming events. Any LAMP member may ask to join Cyberlamp.
Q: What are the Campus Club Dinners?
A: Optional dinners at the Campus Club (formerly known as the Faculty Club) are arranged periodically for those members who wish to join others for an evening out for dinner and conversation in a comfortable setting at a reasonable cost.
Q: Are all of the UT OLLI groups the same? If not, how do they differ?
A: Each of the four groups - LAMP, SAGE, QUEST and FORUM - offers continuing education in a variety of ways to their members. The format of lectures and / or lectures and seminars does vary as do the meeting times and days. For a comparison of the programs, please see the UT Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Comparison Chart.
Q: I know there are other UT OLLI groups. May I join more than one?
A: Interested persons may apply to the wait list for any or all of the groups. However, upon receiving invitation(s) to join, a person may join only one group. This provides opportunity for more individuals in Austin and the surrounding communities to enjoy the UT Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Q: Once I apply to the Wait List, how long will it be before I am eligible to join LAMP? Are there categories of priority on the Wait List?
A: At present (summer, 2006), if you apply to the LAMP Wait List you can expect to be invited to join within a year. There is no fee for application to the wait list. Invitation to join is based on the date of the application, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you can join. The only exception is for spouses of active LAMP members who may join at any time.
