Portland State Institute on Aging | Frequently Asked Questions

SALC is a program of "lifelong learning" or "learning in retirement" offered at PSU. It has two components: tuition-free auditing of classes and a membership organization called RAPSU (link below).

Who is eligible to register for a class at the SALC?

You have to be an Oregon resident and at least 65 years of age when you register for a class as a senior auditor. We will also enroll you if you are 64, and your 65th birthday is during the term for which you are registering. Unfortunately, residents of Washington State are not eligible; you must have an Oregon mailing address. We also can not offer our services to people on disability if they do not meet the age and residency eligibility requirements above.

How do I register for a class at the SALC?

If you are registering as a senior auditor for the first time, you need to check in at the SALC Office (room 470H in the Urban Center building) during our hours of operation. Please have a registration form filled out listing the classes you want to sign up for. If you are a returning senior registering for a PSU class, you can fill out a SALC registration slip, and drop it off in the black box next to the SALC Office. You can also register by mail, or online. You will be able to pick up your registration form a week before classes begin, or you can have it mailed to your home address.

Where can I find information about classes?

Unfortunately, PSU no longer publishes a printed schedule of classes, but you can look up classes online by going to the schedule of classes. We also have copies of the schedule of classes available at the SALC office.

What are the limitations on taking classes?

Classes are on an audit basis, meaning that participants do not get any credits towards a degree, and there is no grade posted by the class instructors.
Tuition is waived, but if there is a fee listed in the Schedule of Classes, you are still required to pay for it. These are normally materials fees or lab fees.
Classes are tuition-free only if you register through the SALC office. If you go through other University admission and registration procedures, you will end up with a hefty bill just like regular paying students, and the SALC will not be able to help you have this bill waived.
You can register for as many classes as you wish during the academic year. However, some classes are not available to SALC auditors, for example classes offered by the School of Extended Studies, Capstone classes (service-learning classes required for all graduating students), English as a Second Language classes, and most professional development classes.

Please understand that auditing classes is allowed only on a space-available basis. You may find that the instructor of a class you registered for cannot accept you because it is full. The SALC does not have access to enrollment information, so you may occasionally find yourself registered in a class that is full. Please speak to the instructor, and if you cannot be accomodated, return to the SALC, so we can help you find a different class.

Where do I pay class fees?

If a class for which you are registered has a fee listed in the schedule, you are responsible for payment. PSU requires us to keep track of payments. Auditors are required to pay the class fee within the first three weeks of the term. Fees are payable at the cashier window on the ground floor of Neuberger Hall. With your yellow registration confirmation sheet, you will also receive a green receipt form. Please ask the cashier to stamp and sign this receipt form when making your payment, and mail or drop off the receipt at SALC. Please only submit this receipt form, and retain your yellow registration confirmation form (which serves as your student ID).

Before paying, please make sure that there is space in the class, and that you like the class. Once you have paid your fees, no refunds are available. If you decide that you do not want to take a class for which you have registered, please inform us by the third week of the term that you want to drop the class. If you do not wish to pay class fees, please select from the over 4000 classes each term that don’t carry fees.

What is my proof that I am an official senior auditor?

Once you have registered for classes at the SALC, you will be provided with a registration conformation form, printed on a yellow sheet of paper. This basically serves as your ID card on campus during the term that you are taking classes. We ask that you carry it with you when you are on campus. With this form you are entitled to all the benefits listed in the SALC brochure, including the library, computer labs, PSU gym, discounted PSU movie passes, and discounts to PSU athletic games.

How do I find my way around campus?

You can find the campus map with building abbreviations here. A PDF version is also available to print out.

I registered for a class, and was told by the instructor that they have no space available for auditors. What do I do?

Remember, auditors can take classes only on a space available basis. We ask that you check with professors on the first day of class if they have room for auditors. Space availability is normally not a problem, but sometimes a class may be full with "paying" students. If this is the case, the SALC staff will help you find another class that might be of interest to you.

What can I do to guarantee a space in a class for myself?

Please remember that classes for seniors are on a space-available basis. No matter how early you register for a class at the SALC, there is no guarantee that the professor will have space in the class. Only the class instructors and professors can determine if a class has space for senior auditors.

How come my name is not on the instructor's roster?

Auditors never appear on the instructor's roster, which only lists the names of the "paying" students. An auditor's only proof that they are officially registered is the yellow registration confirmation provided by SALC.

How soon can I register for classes next term?

SALC sets a registration start date each term, usually a month before classes begin. The registration date will be announced in the SALC newsletter, or you can call the office to find out. Although we start collecting registration requests about a month before the start of term, due to PSU processes, we cannot register you earlier than one week before the beginning of the term.

How do I contact SALC?

The phone number for the SALC Office is 503-725-4739.

Where is SALC located?

We are located on the fourth floor of the Urban Center building (URBN) in room 470H at the Institute on Aging. The URBN building is just above the PSU Bookstore on the PSU Urban Plaza, where the streetcar makes a stop.

The physical address is:

506 SW Mill Street

Portland, OR 97207

What is the SALC mailing address?

Senior Adult Learning Center (SALC)

Portland State University

P.O. Box 751

Portland , OR 97207-0751

Why are you not open more hours?

The SALC is a self-supported program funded by donations. We receive no support form PSU (apart from the office space), so unfortunately, we cannot afford full-time staff. Please check our homepage for opening hours. Thank you for your understanding and patience!

Where can I park my car?

There are metered parking spots on the streets, and several parking lots are nearby. You can also buy a PSU parking permit, but it is quite costly ($297 per term), and it does not guarantee a parking spot. For parking questions, please contact the Transportation and Parking Office at 503-725-3442. PSU is accessible by streetcar, bus, and MAX, and most of our auditors try to take public transport to campus.

How is the SALC funded?

The SALC is supported from contributions from program auditors and friends of the program. There is no direct funding from the State or the University to run the program. We are entirely dependent on donations.

How do I make a contribution to the SALC?

The SALC will gladly accept your contribution checks. Please ask for a contribution envelope, and make your checks payable to PSU Foundation-SALC Fund. You may also leave a lasting legacy by remembering SALC in your estate plans.

Web Classes

A growing number of PSU classes are offered online or partially online. These classes offer particular challenges for auditors. Signing up is quite complicated and frustrating, so we do not recommend taking these classes. If you do decide to sign up for a web class, please follow these steps: First, register with SALC. Second, contact the instructor to obtain permission to join the class. Third, contact the Help Desk to be added to the class. You may also have to apply for a PSU computer/e-mail account, and an ID number. Please note that SALC can not assist you with these extra steps.

Where do I find out about textbooks and readings?

Textbooks and readings are listed in the class syllabus, which is typically distributed by instructors during the first meeting. Textbooks and reading materials can be purchased at the PSU Bookstore (503-226-2631). You are not required to buy textbooks, but most auditors find that learning is greatly enhanced by doing the readings.

Do I qualify for lockers, library access, and computer accounts?

SALC Auditors qualify for access to the PSU gym facilities, the library, and a computer/e-mail account. Please contact the appropriate department (Gym: 503-725-4000, Library: 503-725-4617, Computer Help Desk: 503-725-4357) and tell them that you are a SALC auditor. Take your yellow SALC registration printout. The clerk may ask you for your student ID number; if this occurs, please tell them that SALC auditors do not receive such a number, and/or ask for a supervisor, who will be familiar with registering SALC auditors.

What are PSU's Inclement Weather Policies?

In the event of severe winter weather, PSU classes may be start late, end early, or PSU may be closed for the entire day. Please check the PSU website and/or local TV and radio programs for information.

What is RAPSU?

RAPSU (Retired Associates of PSU) is a membership association in conjunction with the SALC, since one of the missions of the SALC is to sponsor organizations for elders. RAPSU is open to people who are 50 years or older. It offers interesting and enriching programs and lectures twice a month. Meetings are on the first and second Thursday of each month, from September to June. Check the RAPSU website for specific meeting information. Meeting/presentation times are from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., with a social time starting at 12:30 where coffee and refreshments are served. RAPSU invites you to attend some meetings before deciding to become a member. Detailed information can be found on their web site.