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Grandparent University

Since 2003, the OSU Alumni Association has welcomed OSU Legacies ages 7 to 13 and their grandparents to campus for a unique intergenerational learning experience at Grandparent University. This three-day summer camp is a fun-filled experience that actively engages kids in academics at OSU while creating memories for grandparents and their grandchildren.

The Legacies enroll in one of the provided majors. After completing the program, they will “graduate” with a certificate in their chosen field. Along with the activities in the classroom, there is time to socialize over swimming at the Colvin Center or cheering at the OSU tailgate.

A Legacy is a child who is registered in the legacy program under a parent or grandparent who is an active member of the OSU Alumni Association. To make sure your Legacy will receive all the benefits of the Legacy program, including Grandparent University, you may want to check your Legacy’s registration and membership status by calling the Alumni Association at 405.744.5368.

June 12-14 & June 26-28

Applications for Grandparent University 2024 are now closed.

Cost

Price includes lodging, instruction, all activities, T-shirt, class materials, three meals on Thursday and two meals (breakfast and lunch) on Friday.


Grandparent
$300


Grandchild
$250

Grandparent University is sponsored by Legacy Village - Stillwater

Majors

Session One - June 12-14, 2024

  • Agribusiness
  • Amazing Insects
  • Anthropometry and Ergonomics
  • Architecture
  • Broadcasting
  • Chemistry FUNdamentals
  • Computer Science
  • Discover Chinese Culture 
  • Exploring the Modern Academic Library 
  • Hands-On Horticulture
  • Microbiology
  • Virtual Reality and Design

Session Two - June 26-28, 2024

  • Amazing Insects 
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Become an OSU Extension Educator
  • Graphs in the Real World
  • Landscape Design and Outdoor Sketching
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular World Building
  • Oklahoma Geology
  • Sports Marketing
  • Talk to Me!

Applying and Enrolling

Grandparent University is a wonderfully popular program with OSU alumni and Legacies. Because of GPU’s success, a lottery system is used to determine admittance and major placement. Below are the steps to follow to attend GPU.

Step #1 - Rank Your Majors

Majors for 2024 are listed above. We recommend you rank every major in the session(s) you're willing to attend. At a minimum, you should rank all majors in one session.

Step #2 - Apply 

Applications for GPU are available now and must be completed by April 1. Applicants will only be eligible to be placed in the majors they list a preference for, and we encourage applicants to be open minded when listing their majors in preference order. Applicants will be asked to indicate which majors they are not willing to attend and will not be eligible to be placed in those majors if their other preferences are full.

You may submit up to four family groups per application. One group of family members attending one major in one session constitutes one family group. Members of each family group will be placed in the same major. If you will be signing up family members for multiple majors and/or sessions, you will submit multiple family groups. Additional explanation of family groups is explained in the application.

APPLY HERE

NOTE: Applying to attend GPU does not guarantee admission. Families will be assigned majors based on lottery placement and the majors they indicated they're willing to attend on their application.

Step #3 - Enroll in April

Once applicants are assigned in majors, an email confirming their major assignment(s) and a link to complete their enrollment will be emailed. Applicants can then complete their enrollment via the online form at that time.  If all preferred majors were full when a families lottery number was pulled, an email will be sent out notifying the registrant they were not admitted for this year's camp.

ENROLL HERE STARTING APRIL 2024

Step #4 - Release Forms

Following enrollment, all GPU attendees will be required to complete a set of release forms online. Forms may vary depending on the major you are attending. All participants must complete their release forms to attend GPU.

Frequently Asked Questions

Grandparent University (GPU) is a unique three day intergenerational learning event sponsored by the OSU Alumni Association. OSU welcomes Legacies, ages 7-13, and their grandparents to campus for a taste of college life. Participants choose their “major,” stay in the halls, learn in OSU classrooms and graduate with a certificate of achievement.

Fully registered OSU Legacies, ages 7-13 on the date of June 1, are invited to bring their grandparents to campus for GPU. Grandparent University is a member benefit of the OSU Alumni Association. Please note that a person does not have to be a graduate of OSU in order to be a member. We have many members who are “friends” of the university and just want their children and grandchildren to consider being a Cowboy.

The cost to attend GPU in 2024 was $300 for each grandparent and $250 for each grandchild. The price includes lodging, campus transfers, instruction, all activities, T-shirt, class materials, three meals on Thursday and two meals (breakfast and lunch) on Friday.

Participants stay on campus in OSU residence halls in assigned dorm rooms. OSU Housekeeping provides clean pillows, sheets, blankets, towels, wash cloths and soap for all participants.

All dorm rooms are suite style and have separate bedrooms that can be individually locked. A majority have private bathrooms along with a living room and small kitchenette area. Each hall as a communal lounge, kitchen and laundry facility.

Participants may indicate at the time of enrollment if there are other GPU participants they wish to be roomed with in a specific suite.

A limited number of private rooms are also available at a higher registration rate for families who do not wish to share a suite with other participants. These rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participants may choose not to stay in the dorms, but they will still be required to pay the full camp registration amount. If participants choose to stay off campus, they will be responsible for their own transportation to all GPU activities and arriving in a timely manner.
Applications may be submitted from mid February through April 1 to be entered into the lottery drawing. After April 1, please contact Taylor Wood to check for available majors. Applications will no longer be accepted when GPU reaches full capacity.
No. This event is designed to bridge the gap between the generations. In the event that no grandparents are living or in good enough health to participate, consider including a great aunt or great uncle or very close friend of the family of the grandparent generation.
There are several ways to register your Legacy(ies) - online at ORANGECONNECTION.org/legacy, by phone at 405.744.5368 or in person at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center.
A fully registered Legacy has the following information on file with the OSU Alumni Association information services department: full name and date of birth.
Contact the OSU Alumni Association at info@orangeconnection.org or 405.744.5368.
GPU 2023 will be held in two sessions - June 12-14 and June 26-28.
A grandparent can be accompanied by multiple grandchildren. Likewise a grandchild can be accompanied by multiple grandparents. All grandchildren must have a grandparent accompany them in their major.
There are several ways to join your Alumni Association - online at orangeconnection.org/join, by phone at 405.744.5368 or in person at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center.
Cancellations made before June 1 will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made on June 1 or after will not receive any refund. Cancellations will be filled with wait-listed applicants.
It depends on the maturity of the child and on the choice of major. Each parent/grandparent will need to decide if the child can handle the attention span required and seek to enroll in a major that would hold interest for the child. For example, if the child likes science then one of the science based majors would be the best choice. See the major descriptions on the registration page to learn more about the activities planned in each major. Also discuss how the child handles being away from home overnight.

Alumni Association Partners