By
Eric Swedlund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
State House panel unanimously approves bill
PHOENIX - A bill that would require the Arizona Board of Regents to study the feasibility of allowing senior citizens to take university classes without paying tuition or receiving credit unanimously passed a House panel yesterday.
Senate Bill 1433, sponsored by Sen. Jay Blanchard, D-Gilbert, would require the ABOR to examine ways in which people over the age of 65 could audit courses for free, but only with instructor approval and if the classroom had space.
The Senate approved the bill on Feb. 21 and the full House of Representatives will now consider the legislation.
Blanchard said the bill is an attempt to increase the efficiency of the state's universities, while at the same time expanding their capacity.
As more senior citizens move to Arizona, Blanchard said, this may give them the opportunity to meet the state's younger generation and get involved with their communities.
The ABOR study would examine the logistics of such a program, including how universities would notify senior citizens of which classes have available space.
Other components of the study could include whether senior citizens would take tests and be afforded the same access to professors as paying students.
Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, asked Blanchard why the bill would limit the study to senior citizens' ability to audit classes.
Blanchard said elderly citizens are a "special" group because they are less likely to seek a degree than younger people.
The Board of Regents estimates that 300 undergraduate students over the age of 60 are currently enrolled in courses at the University of Arizona.
UA lobbyist Greg Fahey said university officials are neutral on the bill. He added that university concerns regarding senior citizens auditing classes would be raised with the regents study committee if the measure is approved.
"If you give something away, why just to one age group?" Fahey asked. "These are just some questions to look at."
