Program offers 'learning vacation'

The IU Alumni Association and the Bloomington Division of Continuing Studies will hold Mini University, an adult educational program, this weekend.\nThe program was named one of the nine best campus learning vacations in America by "Frommer's Magazine."\nMore than 100 of IU's faculty will deliver one-and-a-half to two-hour presentations on their research interests directed toward a general audience. This is Mini University's 33rd year of providing the learning vacation program.\nThree hundred and ninety people, who represent 32 states and Canada, are expected to come to IU to attend a week of classes held throughout the Indiana Memorial Union.\nRegistration begins at 3 p.m. Sunday in the IMU East Lounge. Tuition is $195 and covers admission to the faculty reception Thursday, as well as three coffee hours that will be held throughout the week. \nA wide variety of classes are offered covering topics including computers, taxes, health and University attractions. One such class is "New Treasures of Indiana University," which features new art in the Kelley School of Business and the IU Health Center. There also will be a tour of IU's Old Crescent. The celebrated jazz musician and IU faculty member David Baker will conduct a class on Count Basie. \nThere are two social events during the week: A picnic Monday and the play "Steel Magnolias" at the Brown County Playhouse Wednesday. Tickets can be bought during registration and are $15 for the Wednesday show. \n"The majority of people (who attend) are retired folks," said Jeanne Madison who is a co-director of Mini University. \nMadison said 50 percent of attendees are alumni. \nNicki Bland, co-director of Mini University and director of Alumni Programming, said 74 percent of participants have attended one or more years. \n"We are impressed by our returning members," Bland said. "The majority of our advertisement is through word of mouth."\nMadison said a number of the participants have favorite professors. \nFaculty who participate do it on a volunteer basis, Madison said. She said the faculty help make Mini University happen. \nTimothy Baldwin, a professor of business administration, said he is a "raving fan" of Mini University. \n"You have an attending population that is eager to learn," Baldwin said. "They are excited to be there, and you don't have the problems of academic life, like grades."\nBaldwin has taught at Mini University for three years. He taught a class on emotional intelligence last year, and this year he will teach a class called "If You Really Want to Understand Something, Try to Change It."\n"I am excited about (Mini University)," said Bloomington resident Winifred Wickes.This will be Wickes' fourth year attending the event. Her sister flew from Chicago to attend the program with her this year. Wickes said this is one of the best academic vacations because of the number of choices available.\n"Once you experience Mini University, you will come back for more," Bland said. \n-- Contact staff writer Karen Yancey at kaeyance@indiana.edu.