Guide to the University of the Third Age records

Finding aid prepared by Ashley Toutain
University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections
Copley Library
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 619-260-2730
Email: spcoll@sandiego.edu
© 2016


Overview of the Collection

Title: University of the Third Age records
Date (inclusive): 1978-1984
Collection number: USDA_2009_012
Creator: University of San Diego, University of the Third Age
Extent: 1 box (.5 linear feet)
Repository: University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections
Copley Library
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
spcoll@sandiego.edu
Abstract: These records document the establishment of the University of the Third Age at the University of San Diego. Established in 1978, the USD University of the Third Age is a program for 55+ individuals to continue with lifelong education.
Languages: English

Historical Note

The idea for an educational program for retired individuals, the University of the Third Age, was initially conceived by Pierre Vellas, a professor at the University of Toulouse, France, in 1972. Vellas saw the growing number of elderly individuals in France and believed that bringing them into the university environment among undergraduates, with intellectual stimulation and physical exercise, would slow the negative effects of aging. Vellas' program involved volunteer participation by undergraduate students; physical exercise through walking, jogging, swimming, and calisthenics; and lectures, roundtables, and field trips covering a broad range of topics. Vellas' program had such success that by 1978 the program was copied in 32 campuses throughout France and internationally in Switzerland, Belgium, Poland and Canada.
Retired Marine Corps General Victor Krulak is credited with broaching the idea of bringing a University of the Third Age program to USD. President Author Hughes saw value in the program and began planning for a pilot program in August 1978. The pilot program mirrored Vellas' idea, with approximately 50 students attending five weeks of courses in physical conditioning, current affairs, law, economics, religion, medicine, retirement, language, and art. Undergraduate students were also involved in helping with the program. Press for inaugural year was accompanied by a documentary film broadcast by KCST-TV 39 San Diego. The film, which aired in November 1978, covered why the program was founded and documented what took place during the first University session.
The University of the Third Age expanded to be offered twice per year, in winter and summer, and to enroll more students. The program has continued for nearly forty years and is the longest running community outreach program offered by the University of San Diego.

Scope and Content Note

The University of the Third Age records document the foundational years of the program. Records include plans and reports about the program and solicitation for funding. News articles, correspondence, and the script for the November 1978 documentary, broadcast by KCST-TV 39 San Diego, are included. Also included are records about establishing an Alumni association for the University, the graduation ceremony, programs for the early years of the university, and information about the courses taught. In addition to the administrative files are newspaper clippings and press releases related to the program.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series:
Records are arranged in alphabetical order.

Access Information

These records are open for research.

Preferred citation

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, University of the Third Age records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Tessie Camina in 2009. Further processing was conducted by Ashley Toutain in 2016.

Related Material

The 1978 documentary video is available for view in the University Archives and Special Collections.

Index Terms

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Krulak, Victor H.
Hughes, Author E.
Vellas, Pierre

Subjects and Indexing Terms

University of San Diego

Subjects and Indexing Terms

San Diego (Calif.)

Subjects and Indexing Terms

University of the Third Age movement
continuing education


 

Series I:  Administrative Records, 1978-1984

Scope and Content Note

Administrative records consist of reports, planning information, schedules, programs, and correspondence associated with the beginning year of the University of the Third Age.
Box/Folder: 1 / 1

Alumni Steering Committee meetings, 1979

Box/Folder: 1 / 2

Alumni Association Correspondence and By-Laws, 1978, 1981, 1984

Box/Folder: 1 / 3

Course Daily Schedules, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 4

Daily Schedules, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 5

Debriefing Session, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 6

Employee Bill Ritter Correspondence, 1979

Box/Folder: 1 / 7

Graduation Program, 1978 August

Box/Folder: 1 / 8

Graduation Program, 1979

Box/Folder: 1 / 9

Grant Request, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 10

Krulak, V. H. [Victor H.] Correspondence, 1978-1979

Box/Folder: 1 / 11

Letter of Appreciation - President Hughes, 1978, 1979

Box/Folder: 1 / 12

Luncheon Guest List, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 13

Notes on Members' Physical Conditioning, undated

Box/Folder: 1 / 14

Plans, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 15

Program Film Documentary, 1979

Scope and Content Note

[Includes text of President Author Hughes remarks as part of the documentary.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 16

Program Film Documentary Preview, 1978 October 30

Scope and Content Note

[Includes news articles about the documentary.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 17

Program Film Documentary Script, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 18

Program for Seniors Announcement, 1981

Box/Folder: 1 / 19

Program Schedule, 1982-1984

Box/Folder: 1 / 20

Program Schedules, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 21

Remarks - President Hughes, 1979

Box/Folder: 1 / 22

Report, 1979

Scope and Content Note

[Report of the second year of the University of the Third Age. The report includes information about the courses, student reactions, and copies of news articles and photographs.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 23

Reunion, 1979 March

Box/Folder: 1 / 24

Solicitation of Funding, 1979

Scope and Content Note

[Includes a book highlighting the founding of the University of the Third Age and what it does.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 25

Student Directory, 1978-1979

Box/Folder: 1 / 26

Students' Welcome Packet, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 27

Summer Program Booklet, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 28

Thank You Letter [to Storer Broadcasting KCST-TV for the documentary film], 1978

 

Series II:  News Items, 1964-1980, 1995

Scope and Content Note

News items consist of news clippings and releases related to the University of the Third Age. These include announcements about the program, and notices for graduating individuals.
Box/Folder: 1 / 29

News Clippings, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 30

News Clippings, 1979

Box/Folder: 1 / 31

News Clippings, 1983

Box/Folder: 1 / 32

News Releases, 1978

Box/Folder: 1 / 33

News Releases, 1979-1980

Scope and Content Note

[About individual graduates.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 34

News Releases, 1982-1984