Students pursuing a degree are not the only people who study at SMSU. For over 10 years, there have been senior adults taking classes as well. These adults are members of Growth Opportunity Learning Development (GOLD) College. Most of them are retired, and are simply interested in taking these classes because they want to learn more.

“I think it’s a very worthwhile outreach for the community that the college is doing,” Mike Hofstetter, a history professor for both SMSU and GOLD College students, said. “The GOLD students seem to really enjoy the program, and those of us who teach it seem to really enjoy having them.”

There is still a small fee to be in these classes, but it’s a fraction of the cost that college students pay. Part of the reason for this is because these classes are not for credit.

“[GOLD College] allows seniors to take classes on campus, and just to experience instruction in classroom situations, outside of traditional confines of academic class with credits and grades,” Hofstetter said.

Many of the classes offered are similar to the classes that SMSU students take, but do not require textbooks.

“I teach courses on the Middle East, and it’s some of the same material, but obviously I’m not having them read anything or write any papers,” said Hofstetter. “And some [classes] are more recreational, like Birding.”

Whether recreational or informational, there are a variety of almost 20 different course options for GOLD students to take. Classes take place Monday through Thursday, but the same class does not occur twice in a week. The courses are well received, as some of them have over 50 students in them.

Although SMSU students are not able to take these specific courses now, it gives them something to look forward to when they are retired.