Excess Capacity at Universities
Historically, universities have been centers of learning, predominantly for young undergraduate students. However, a demographic shift is presenting a new challenge, which stems from low birthrates. Many universities are addressing this challenge by creatively utilizing their resources, for example, welcoming older learners into on-campus retirement communities and engaging people in scholarly travel programs.
The excess capacity in universities is the underutilized physical spaces, such as dormitories and lecture halls, and the untapped intellectual resources of faculty and staff that arise when the number of traditional students declines. Globally, birthrates are in a noticeable decline, with projections indicating a fall to an average of 1.7 children per woman by 2100, a significant drop from 4.7 in 1950 (to maintain a stable population, 2.1 children per woman are required). This trend is particularly pronounced in wealthier nations, where countries like Japan, Spain, and South Korea are forecast to experience a halving of their populations by 2100. The direct consequence for higher education is the so-called "enrolment cliff." Undergraduate enrolment in the U.S. decreased from over 18 million in 2010 to below 16 million in 2022, creating substantial extra space across campuses. This demographic shift, driven by an ageing and shrinking population, ultimately leads to fewer traditional students to fill university seats.
One increasingly popular solution to this challenge of excess capacity is the integration of university retirement communities directly onto college campuses, effectively transforming unused space into dynamic, intergenerational living and learning environments. They are essentially senior-living facilities explicitly designed to house retirees, enabling them to remain intellectually and socially engaged within a university setting. An excellent example is Mirabella, a 20-story university retirement community located on Arizona State University's (ASU) campus, which was nearly fully subscribed when it opened in 2020, despite the pandemic.
Residents of Mirabella receive a university pass, granting them access to the same classes and cultural events as traditional students, with the unique advantage of not having to take exams. While golf buggies are available for navigating the sprawling campus, many residents are still fit enough to walk or mountain bike. The amenities provided far surpass typical college fare, featuring four restaurants serving high-quality food, an art studio, a swimming pool, a gym, and a games room. For those requiring more intensive assistance, facilities such as a memory-care center and rooms for round-the-clock attention are available, even allowing one half of a couple to receive specialized care while the other remains on campus. This innovative approach is not confined to ASU; an estimated 85 colleges across America are now affiliated with some form of senior living, including prominent institutions from Central Florida to Iowa State and Stanford. An expert at Georgetown University estimates that as many as 20,000 older Americans are now living this way.
The concept itself originated in the 1980s when two college presidents expressed a desire to retire on campus, and it has since grown into a significant movement, particularly appealing as the baby boomer generation enters retirement. For universities, this strategy is not only a practical response to the enrolment cliff and available space but also a potential source of philanthropy, as residents may choose to include universities in their wills. For an 80-year-old former newspaper editor and Mirabella resident, the experience is described as "invigorating," fostering friendships not only among peers but also, to their surprise, with younger students. This leads to unique intergenerational dialogues, such as in-class discussions about the desirability of extended lifespans (200-250 years) where the perspectives of 20-year-olds and 80-year-olds diverge markedly.
Beyond establishing on-campus living arrangements, universities are also expanding their reach through scholarly travel courses, offering distinctive learning experiences for the intellectually curious. These are not typical tourist excursions but intensive learning vacations that combine travel with rigorous academic study, with syllabuses designed to be far from beach reading. They cater to adults, often older individuals, who seek deeper meaning and purpose in their travels, moving beyond the commercialism and crowds often associated with modern tourism. These participants are highly motivated to learn and enjoy experiencing places through an academic lens, valuing the intellectual connection to the location.
These courses are offered by university extension programs and lifelong-learning centers, such as the University of Chicago’s Graham School or Cornell University’s Adult University, these programs generally involve small groups of around 20 people or fewer. Participants are often provided with suggested pre-departure reading materials to prepare and actively engage in dialogue with professors and fellow group members. The courses leverage the specialized expertise of university faculty, offering deep dives into diverse subjects like literature, history, culture, and even ecology in unique international locations. For instance, participants can study Dickens and Celtic literature at the University of Oxford, immerse themselves in James Joyce’s works in Dublin, explore Arctic Alaska, or engage with the extraordinary biodiversity of Madagascar. The University of Utah’s Go Learn program sends travellers to Cuba for discussions on the local economy with professors and entrepreneurs, while Harvard Alumni Travels organizes adventures to Central Asia. Activities can include visits to special collections in libraries to see rare manuscripts, dinners at local clubs, jazz clubs, farms, and UNESCO biosphere reserves. The courses are offered year-round, with specific trips having sign-up periods months in advance. The costs vary significantly depending on the destination and duration, ranging from approximately $6,000 to over $11,000. For universities, these programs provide a valuable means to utilize faculty expertise, extend their academic brand globally, and generate revenue, often without requiring alumni affiliation or traditional coursework, making them accessible to a broad adult audience.
The challenge driven by declining birthrates is a serious problem. By embracing new audiences, particularly older, intellectually curious learners, universities are charting a different course towards a more resilient future. From on-campus retirement communities that foster vibrant intergenerational exchange and continuous intellectual engagement to scholarly travel courses that extend academic exploration to fascinating global destinations, these institutions are demonstrating their remarkable capacity for adaptation. This approach ensures that universities remain socially relevant, dynamic centers of knowledge, true lifelong learning hubs, and platforms for continuous discovery, enriching the lives of diverse generations and reaffirming their essential role in society, not just as educators of the young, but as enduring institutions for human growth for all.
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https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/university-travel-course-vacations-16b4ca0b