Lifelong Learning Program’s Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I know for the best registration experience?
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- Do not pre-load the registration page before the official registration launch time, either the day before or the morning before registration. See the “What do I do if I can’t see the links to the registration forms on registration day?” FAQ below for more details on browser caching and how to avoid it.
- Requests for registration before the designated days cannot be considered. Each offering will have its OWN registration form, and you will be prompted to pay immediately using our secure online payment page. We cannot accept cheques during the pandemic. Links to these registration forms plus additional registration details will be posted on this page.
- Each registration form will require registrants to review and agree to LLeaP policies, including about withdrawals and refunds. In order to fill out your form more quickly, you may like to review these policies ahead of time.
- You can only register one person per form. Should you wish to register with a partner or friend, an additional form must be submitted.
- The form will automatically shift to a waiting list form once the allotted ‘seats’ have been filled. We will draw from this list if spots are released or increased, or if we offer a repeat session.
- The online payment form includes a CAPTCHA image that may be difficult to see on a small mobile device such as a smart phone. Registration will be easier on a computer or large tablet.
- What do I do if I can't see the links to the registration forms on registration day?
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If (after the official registration launch time) our registration page still does not show links to the registration and payment forms, you are seeing a cached version of the OLD page. You can solve this problem by:
- Opening your browser in ‘incognito’ or private mode and pasting in www.carleton.ca/lifelong/registration
- Instructions for ‘Incognito’ mode in Google Chrome
- Instructions for private mode in Safari
- Instructions for private mode in Firefox
- Instructions for private mode in Microsoft Edge
- Important note: If you have your settings configured to automatically populate your credit card information, this will not occur in private/incognito mode. Please ensure you have your credit card available to manually add this information when prompted at the secure online payment page.
- Waiting 2 minutes before refreshing the page (if you don’t know how, you can try these instructions).
- Opening a different browser, if you have one (e.g., Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge) and pasting in www.carleton.ca/lifelong/registration
- Using an alternative device, if you have one (e.g., iPad, smartphone, laptop) and visiting www.carleton.ca/lifelong/registration
- Clearing your browser’s cache (if you don’t know how, you can try these instructions).
IF the above solutions don’t work, you can email us to receive direct links to the series registration/payment pages. Please do not email until at least 10 minutes after registration has officially launched.
- Opening your browser in ‘incognito’ or private mode and pasting in www.carleton.ca/lifelong/registration
- What are your COVID-19 policies and protocols?
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For information about our program’s COVID-19 policies, please see our policy page. The Lifelong Learning Program follows Carleton University’s COVID-19 guidelines.
- Why aren't I receiving zoom link and reminder emails after registering?
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Many people with sympatico.ca and bell.net emails have not been receiving emails from us. Please see this page for explanations, solutions, and updates: carleton.ca/lifelong/sympatico/ )
- What parking is available for your lectures and workshops?
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Parking information for each on-campus, satellite and off-campus location is available on the webpage for each location. Links to each page can be found on our Parking webpage.
- What happened to the Learning in Retirement Program? Why did you change the program name?
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After 20 years as the Learning in Retirement (LinR), the program has changed names to the Lifelong Learning Program (LLeaP). Our new name more clearly reflects that adults of all ages are welcome. Our website and email addresses have changed, but our mailing list, credits, and dedication to engaging non-credit learning remain!
- What is different in the program during the COVID-19 pandemic?
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NEW ONLINE FORMAT: During the COVID-19 pandemic, we added an online format for our lectures and workshops. You can read about our approach as well as participant feedback about our new online format here. We provide instructions, workshops, and resources to improve participants’ Zoom experience. In future, we expect to host both in-person and online offerings.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR IN-PERSON OFFERINGS: For information about our COVID-19 policies, please see our policy page.
REGISTRATION PROCESS: Our registration process has changed. Please see our registration page for details. If you are unable to register online because you do not have an email address, please contact us at 613-520-3699 for an alternate method of registration.
STAFF LOCATION: The LLeaP Team continues to primarily work remotely. Please do not hesitate to contact us via email (lifelonglearning@carleton.ca) or leave a voicemail at (613-520-3699) with your questions or concerns. A LLeaP team member will promptly return your call from a Carleton University Lifelong Learning Program cell phone.
- What is the Lifelong Learning Program?
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The Lifelong Learning Program (LLeaP) (formerly known as Learning in Retirement) is a non-credit program, open to adults of all ages who are interested in lifelong learning. LLeaP provides the opportunity to learn for personal satisfaction while participating in a community of lifelong learners who enjoy reading, listening to, and discussing topics of common interest. There are no required readings, exams, or age limits.
We offer a unique variety of lecture series, writing workshops, and language workshops taught by experts. Because we strive to keep the program affordable, we keep our fees as low as possible, aiming only to cover the costs we incur while preparing and staffing each session.
Topics offered include art history, music, science, politics, history, religion, social studies, philosophy, memoir writing, language, and more.
One-time single lecture presentations complement our regular sessions.
New since Fall 2020: We are offering lectures and workshops online, via Zoom. You can read participant feedback about the new format here.
You can read more about our program in this 2022 article and throughout this website.
- Do I have to be retired or of a certain age to participate in LLeaP?
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No. Adults of all ages with an interest in lifelong learning are welcome to register!
- I’m not a Carleton alumnus. Can I still sign up and participate in LLeaP?
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Yes! Our program is open to the general public.
- Is there a discount for Carleton alumni or Carleton employees?
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No, our prices are the same for everyone.
- Are there any prerequisites?
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Prerequisites are only applicable for upper level language workshops. For other offerings, if the lecture description appeals to you, please do not hesitate to register!
- I know LLeaP classes often fill early. How can I stay informed about when each session's registration opens?
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We announce upcoming session’s registration dates on our website. To have the information sent directly to you, join our email list, which we use to announce the beginning of each registration period, as well as the upcoming lecture titles and links to details. We never share your information with other groups, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
- How long does one lecture series/writing workshop run for?
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In most cases, each lecture series and writing workshops meet once a week, for two hours, for six consecutive weeks.
In most cases, language workshops meet twice a week, for two hours, for a total of 18 hours over five consecutive weeks.
- Are class notes/slides provided?
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Currently, Lifelong Learning Program lecturers have the option to publicly share their lecture slides/resources. If these files are shared with the LLeaP office, they will be sent out to participants via email within 2 business days. The Lifelong Learning Program respects copyright laws and intellectual property rights and will not post content should a lecturer choose not to publicly share their intellectual property.
- Is there an opportunity to provide feedback at the end of a series/workshop/lecture?
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Yes! At the end of each series/workshop/lecture participants will receive an email inviting them to provide their feedback on that offering, and the program as a whole. Participants’ anonymous feedback is gathered into a report that is reviewed by Lifelong Learning Program, and passed on to the lecturer. The Lifelong Learning Program encourages feedback and invites participants to email or call us directly should they have any immediate concerns.
- How do I register in a LLeaP lecture series, writing workshop, or language workshop?
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Registration is required for all lecture series, workshops and single lecture presentations and a variety of registration options are available. Please visit our website at carleton.ca/lifelong/registration/ for our registration details and dates.
- Can I email my credit card information or provide it in a voicemail?
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No! Please NEVER email your credit card information or provide it in a voicemail.
For your protection, Carleton University and the Lifelong Learning Program do not accept and will not process credit card information provided in a voicemail message or in an email.
- Do you sell gift certificates?
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Yes, LLeaP is proud to offer gift certificates that can be applied to any lecture series/workshop/single lecture presentation fee, main campus parking or supply fee(s) associated with LLeaP. To purchase a gift certificate, please go here.
- I want to register in a class but it is already full. Can I be placed on a waiting list?
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Yes. If a class is full you have the option of being placed on the lecture series waiting list. All waiting list requests are processed in sequence by the date/time they were received. Lifelong Learning Program staff monitor waiting lists daily. When a space becomes available the person at the top of the list will be contacted via email and given the opportunity to register and pay for the lecture series. If the first person on the list declines the spot, we then move to the next person on the waiting list.
- What is your privacy policy?
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We believe in your right to privacy. Lifelong Learning Program at Carleton University never releases its mailing list information to third parties in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection Privacy Act (FIPPA). For complete details on Carleton’s privacy policy please click here. In addition, Lifelong Learning Program never keeps credit card numbers on file. If you no longer wish to receive information from the Lifelong Learning Program, please e-mail us or call us.
- Are you looking for volunteers?
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If you are interested in providing feedback and doing some beta testing of new software or procedures, please email us at lifelonglearning@carleton.ca.
- I'd like to become a lecturer in your program. What should I do?
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LLeaP hires Carleton faculty, contract instructors, and some experts from the community to offer two-hour lectures, and six-week (two hours each) lecture series on academic topics. We also offer some writing workshops. If you have a topic that you think is appropriate for our program, send us some information about yourself and the topic to lifelonglearning@carleton.ca.
- What are the typical fees for taking LLeaP lectures or workshops?
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Our fees vary depending on format (single lectures, lecture series, workshop series, and language workshops). We strive to keep the program affordable, keeping our fees as low as possible. We aim only to cover the costs of preparing and staffing each session.
Each offering’s fee is listed along with its description (see the session page(s) within our Lectures and Workshops website section).
Fees are typically raised slightly each year to cover the increasing costs of running this non-profit program. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we temporarily moved to an entirely online lecture and workshop format. While developing the complicated new format, program fees had not increased for two years. We are now moving to offer more events again, both in-person and online. We are returning to regular small increases to maintain and expand the program’s operations.