The effect of senior auditors on college classes: An assessment by faculty members

College and university programs that permit older persons to audit regularly scheduled classes free of charge through tuition waiver programs are open to those aged 60 and over or 65 and over in at least 44 states. A study of such a program at a medium-sized state university included a survey of 135 faculty members teaching classes audited by elder students. Seventy-four percent of faculty members surveyed returned a one-page survey questionnaire that asked them to describe the behavior of older auditors and compare then to younger students. Findings indicate that senior auditors are conscientious, most attending classes regularly and some completing written assignments and taking tests. Faculty members indicated that older auditors make a positive difference in class, learn, as quickly as younger students, and are more motivated than younger students. Ninety percent of faculty respondents felt that the free audit program offers older students something of value. No significant differences in responses were found when controlling for the teaching experience of faculty members, for their age, or for the number of older students who had audited their classes.