All About Course Auditing: Expectations and Member Responsibilities

Overview
Making the Decision to Audit
Responsibilities and Expectations of Course Auditors
Audit Course Registration Procedures
After You are Enrolled in an Audit Course
Conduct Expectations

Overview

One membership benefit of the Osher Lifelong Learning at the University of Pittsburgh is the ability to audit preapproved undergraduate courses. To “audit” a course means that the student does not receive a grade or credits and generally does not participate in exams or homework. Those who audit courses do so for the purpose of self-enrichment and exploration.  They enroll as an observer or listener only, unless the instructor provides permission for additional participation.   

                                 -top-

Making the Decision to Audit Courses

Auditing courses can be quite rewarding if one knows what to expect. OLLI members who are considering whether or not to audit a course should include the following in their decision making:

  • Time commitment? – While OLLI courses are generally once a week for 1.5 - 2 hours for 5 weeks, a regular undergraduate course will meet one or more times per week for 16 weeks. Can you make that commitment?
     
  • Expenses?– Text books, should the member decide to purchase them, can be very expensive.
     
  • Technologically inclined?  Most undergraduate courses use an online portal called Canvas.  Members who audit courses are responsible for remembering how to use their Pitt userID/password and to independently log in on a regular basis, download information, or read online, etc.

                               -top-

Responsibilities and Expectations for Course Auditors

Course auditing by OLLI members is a membership privilege granted by the University of Pittsburgh. It is crucial that members using this privilege understand and follow the expectations and procedures in order to preserve this benefit for the entire membership. All members must follow program expectations and understand their responsibilities as a course auditor.

  • You are expected to verify the location, dates, and times of your audit course(s) and be aware of University closures and holidays. You can do this by going to: https://www.registrar.pitt.edu/ 

  • Courses are subject to change at any time by official action of the University of Pittsburgh. If the course is no longer listed on the registrar site, it has been cancelled.  

  • OLLI is NOT responsible for notifying you if a course has been cancelled, or changes have been made to class meeting times, days, or location. 

  • A member must be confirmed as registered in an audit course before attending the course.  Plan to register for your audit course before the term starts so you are able to attend the first class. If you are not officially registered for the audit course, do not attend. Your registration is confirmed when the OLLI program sends you confirmation of enrollment. 

  • No audit course enrollments are permitted after the University's add/drop deadline. 

  • OLLI at Pitt auditors are expected to attend an auditor orientation session if they have never audited a Pitt class previously. 

                                  -top-

Audit Course Registration Procedures

Members must first secure special email permission from the course instructor PRIOR to attending the course. 

The deadline for course audit registration is the end of the University’s add/drop period for the term. 

Auditing is only allowed in “lecture-type” undergraduate courses. The following course types are NOT allowed for auditing:  

  • Classics
  • Computer Science 
  • Creative Writing
  • Film Production 
  • Physical Education 
  • Studio Arts 
  • Laboratory Courses 
  • Performance Courses 
  • Honors College Courses 
  • Law School Courses 
  • Medical School Courses 
  • Graduate Level Courses 

AUDIT PERMISSION PROCEDURES 

  1. Go to the University of Pittsburgh registrar site:  https://www.registrar.pitt.edu
  2. Scroll down and click “class search” 
  3. Click the middle box titled “class search” 
  4. Using the drop-down bars, select the following filters: 
    • Term (select the next upcoming term) 
    • Campus – Pittsburgh 
    • Subject – whichever subject interests you 
  5. Search 
    • When you see a course title that interests you, there may be multiple days/times listed below the title. Each day/time is in its own white box. Select the specific day/time that you want to attend and click that box for further information.  
    • Note the following information: (Example: The Dictators HIST0190 1010-31215  TH 2:30 – 5PM Fiona Walker) 
      • Course title (The Dictators) 
      • Course code (HIST0190) 
      • Section number (1010-31215) 
      • Days/times course meets (TH 2:30-5PM) 
      • Instructor name (Fiona Walker) 
  6. You will then need to email the instructor for permission.  
    • To find the instructor’s email address, go to Pitt Find People:  https://find.pitt.edu/  
    • Enter the instructor's name and click the search button. The email address will appear. 
    • Email the instructor and CC the OLLI office at osher@pitt.edu. Tell them that you are an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute student and would like to audit their class. Be sure to include the course information (ex: The Dictators HIST0190 1010-31215  TH 2:30 – 5PM)  
    • You may also use this audit permission template.  
  7. When the instructor approves the course via email, if they have not copied the OLLI office, then forward that approval email to osher@pitt.edu 
  8. We will build the course in our OLLI registration system and register you. You are NOT registered for the audit course until you receive a confirmation email from OLLI at Pitt.
  9. OLLI will email the instructor to notify them that you are registered and should be added to the Canvas course shell. More information about how undergraduate classes use the Canvas LMS (Learning Management System) will be provided at the auditor orientation. 

Need more help? Watch this instructional video!

AUDIT REGISTRATION NOTES 

  1. Requests that do not include the above five elements (course title, code, section number, day/time, and instructor) may not be processed. 
  2. Members are NOT registered for an audit course and should not attend class unless they receive a confirmation email with the course listed from OLLI.  
  3.  Members should start researching courses and obtaining permission during undergraduate open enrollment
    • March for the Fall term
    • October/November for the Spring term
    • February for the Summer term
    • This will ensure that permission has been obtained before the professor leaves for break and is difficult to contact. 
  4. An instructor or department can deny or limit admission to any audit course without cause or recourse for the member. 

 

                                 -top-



After You Are Enrolled In an Audit Course

Accessing Canvas and Zoom

You will need your Pitt username and Password. If you are new to the program, you should receive it within a week of registering for your audit course. If you do not, contact the office at osher@pitt.edu. It may take a few days to process.

After you receive your Pitt username and password, contact your instructor. Give him/her your Pitt username and ask him/her to add you to Canvas as a student and not as a guest.  Be aware that emails from the instructor through Canvas will not go to you so you have to log into Canvas to check and see if announcements are there.

To find Canvas, go to my.pitt.edu and log in using your Pitt username and Password. Search for Canvas. Click on the Canvas tab and you should see the class listed. If you do not, you are not in the class properly. If you have questions or run into difficulties, contact the OLLI office at osher@pitt.edu.

Add/Drop and Refunds

Courses may be added only until the end of the add/drop period. There are no exceptions. You can change or drop courses and register for additional courses during add/drop period only. If you decide to drop your course selection during this period, and you paid a fee for your course, the fee will be refunded. No refunds will be issued after add/drop period.
 

                                  -top-

Conduct Expectations for Course Auditors

  1. Introduce yourself as an OLLI student to the instructor. Seek permission from the course instructor if you wish to verbally participate in the course, complete written assignments, or take exams. Respect the response provided by the instructor. Instructors are under no obligation to have you verbally participate in the course. It is entirely at the discretion of the instructor because you are not a registered Pitt student. As an auditor, you are a guest in the class.
  2. Arrive on time to class and stay for the entire class. Arriving late or leaving early can be disruptive to the class. 
  3. Be fair to the tuition-paying students in the course. Do not monopolize discussion in class if you are permitted to participate. OLLI members are enrolled as observers or listeners only. While some instructors permit auditor participation, others do not. Please be respectful of the instructor’s guidance regarding participation so that OLLI members can keep enjoying this unique audit benefit. 
  4. If issues arise, please notify the OLLI office immediately.
  5. Be respectful to University of Pittsburgh faculty, students, and staff. Adhere to the Student Code of Conduct. 
  6. Pay attention to dates and deadlines pertaining to undergraduate courses and the University academic calendar. Take note of dates such as: courses begin and end, add/drop period ends, university closures; official breaks.
  7. Formally drop the course if you find out it is no longer of interest by contacting the OLLI office.

 

Enjoy your audit experience as a member of OLLI at Pitt!

                                -top-