Mini University welcomes more than 400 participants this week

The Indiana Memorial Union will become a small college of nearly 500 participants this week.\nRegistration began Sunday for IU’s Mini University, and the program will run until Friday. \nMini University is an opportunity for participants ages 18 and older to return to class for five days to take as many as 15 non-credit classes. It is sponsored by the IU Alumni Association and IU-Bloomington Continuing Studies. \nNicki Bland, co-chair of the Alumni Association, said this summer Mini University will be celebrating its 36th anniversary and has its highest enrollment of 490 participants this summer. \nJeanne Madison, director of Mini University, said participants do not need the prior experience of a college education but a high percentage of them do. Madison explained that this summer they have incredible classes and a lot of special events throughout the week.\nClass topics range from arts, business and technology, domestic issues, health fitness and leisure, human growth and development, humanities, international affairs and science. Madison said the classes are taught by faculty from the University that are recognized as the best. There will be 100 faculty members teaching this summer. \n“It’s the faculty and the programming that brings people back,” Madison said. \nAfter registration Sunday, participants had orientation between 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. and then had dinner in the Tudor Room in the Indiana Memorial Union between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Mini University will begin Monday at 8:15 a.m. for class registration in Alumni Hall at the IMU. It will be followed by convocation at 9 a.m. Participants will attend three classes Monday and conclude their day with a picnic at the DeVault Alumni Center, 100 E. 17th St. \nDuring the week, participants will attend three classes each day during the day and conclude their nights with activities such as coffee and social time, a series of stories, a play and movies. \nMini University will end Friday with participants taking one class, attending coffee and social hour, then going to commencement at 11 a.m. \n“It’s the bargain of all time,” Madison said.