Ole Miss’ Communiversity program is offering 10 new classes this fall to give faculty, staff and students a chance to try something new or improve a skill they already have.
New class topics include Christmas decoration tutorials, professional development, social media tutorials as well as others.
“We have several personal enrichment courses covering topics from ‘iPhone Photography’ to ‘Essential Oils’ to annual events like ‘Holiday Sweets and Treats,” Mary Leach, professional development director, said.
The communiversity classes are a series of non-credit courses offered in a wide variety of topics such as knitting, cooking and other areas of interest. Currently, people can enroll in seven subject areas.
The program is partnered with RebelWell health services as well as faculty. Most classes have charges, but several are free. Citizens more than 55 years old qualify for a 10 percent discount on class fees more than $30. University employees can use payroll deductions for classes that cost more than $60. Additionally, students qualify for a $5 discount on all classes.
Registration closes one week before the first day of class and all fees are due before the class begins. The classes are typically held in the E. F. Yerby Conference Center unless otherwise noted.
The classes are designed to promote education but also engagement between locals.
“We offer unique opportunities for community members, students or non-students, to be involved in the university and engage with others with similar interests,” Leach said.
The classes are designed for students to take away lessons whether it is learning a new language or getting certified in CPR and apply it to everyday life.
Several participants say they have never been on campus before taking a Communiversity class, according to Leach.
“The values and intentions communiversity promotes are really inspiring. I’ve learned a lot about working together, relationships and not only how to help benefit my surrounding community, but hopefully everywhere I go in the future,” student Taylor Lewis said.
The program also provides assistance to people with bachelor’s degrees to become certified as teachers.
“Having so many talented individuals in our community is wonderful, but giving talented individuals additional opportunities to share their talent and create new talent that our community can benefit from is why our department exists,” Outreach and Education Director Jason Wilkins said. “Our entire department is of the belief that resources and education is meant to be shared.”
People who enroll in communiversity can expect to learn a variety of everyday skills and participate in numerous courses developed to appeal to many in the Oxford community.
“For me, communiversity is the sum of its name (community and university). Communiversity courses and programs are learning experiences that do not fit the traditional college course format,” Wilkins said. “It’s about making available knowledge and experiences to all members of the Lafayette and Oxford community.”
