Program Overview

Program in Gerontology

The Program in Gerontology at the University of Rhode Island is part of the university's initiative to become an Age-Friendly University (AFU).

Introduction to Age-Friendly University

The Age-Friendly University concept originated at Dublin City University in Ireland in 2012, recognizing the important contributions universities can make in meeting the unique needs and interests of an aging population. Since then, universities around the world have adopted the ten AFU principles and formed a global network.

URI's Age-Friendly University

In 2017, the URI Program in Gerontology convened a workgroup to develop a proposal for URI to become an AFU. The report was approved by the Provost, and URI became an AFU in 2018. The AFU project is housed within the URI Program in Gerontology.

Principles of Age-Friendly University

The AFU concept embodies learning over the life course, or lifelong learning, as a way of extending education in a relevant and flexible way to adults as they grow older and move through life. This approach means that education is more than just getting the knowledge and skills necessary for the workplace. It includes creative thinking on how one spends one's time and energy on other important life pursuits, such as family, health, leisure, civic engagement, and spirituality.

Goals and Framework

Endorsing the ten principles affords URI with a framework for ongoing evaluation of its efforts to make the University an open and welcoming community for adults of all ages. The principles are not a set of absolute criteria that must be met; rather, they are a set of standards to identify gaps and opportunities for growth.