Less than a week into the academic year, some students are already complaining about classes - but there are plenty of people who would love to take their place, if only for a day.
Three years ago, Steven Schragis was able to sit in on a college course while visiting his daughter, a freshman at the time, at Bard College.
"I remember thinking, 'I wish I could be going to college, instead of paying for it,' " he said.
That's what led him to co-found One Day University with his business partner, John Galvin. One Day is a day-long program that allows fee-paying adults to attend some of the most popular lectures by professors from several big-name universities.
For $219, the "students" listen to four lectures throughout the day, covering a wide range of topics, such as depression in the United States and school shootings.
The professors hail from several Ivy League institutions and other prestigious schools, such as the University of Oxford and New York University.
This month marks a year since the program officially began, and already One Day University has recruited multiple Brown professors, including Senior Lecturer in Economics Rachel Friedberg, Associate Professor of Political Science Wendy Schiller, Lecturer in Neuroscience John Stein, Associate Professor of Political Science John Tomasi, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Jennifer Lawless, Professor of Political Science James Morone, and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy Christine Heenan, according to Educational Media Group, the company that runs the program. The company declined to divulge how much professors are paid for giving the lectures.
Lawless, a widely quoted scholar on issues involving women in politics and a former congressional candidate, said teaching at the program "is very fulfilling because I am able to speak to a completely different audience."
Lawless said she was contacted by Schragis and Galvin after they heard her speak at another venue.
One major difference from Lawless' usual audience - the average age is between 55 and 75, Galvin said.
"(The students) are hungry for it. For most of them, it's been a good 30 years or so since they attended college, and they find it fascinating to hear what their grandchildren are learning about at college," Galvin said.
After giving two lectures through the program, one in the winter and the other in spring, Lawless said she's signed up for another this fall.
Galvin and Schragis said the program is growing and that they have already seen some eager participants come back for more.
"We offer a discount if you sign up at the end of the day, and a lot of them take it," Schragis said.
Sara Sadin P'03 and her husband, Robert P'03, are three-time participants, and they say they are looking forward to registering for additional sessions.
"We've had a great experience hearing professors talk about topics that really pique your interest," Sara Sadin said.
But, she said, the topics themselves aren't why the program is enjoyable. "It's that (the professors) are great teachers and are truly engaging," she said.
The Sadins are the parents of Meredith Sadin '03, and they said the program - and its Brown-based lecturers - has offered them a "real connection" to Brown.
"We're really envious of the environment of the University - that whole feeling of community, independence and a prestigious education that Brown provides its students," she said.
