Age-Friendly University

About Us

We have compiled responses to Frequently Asked Questions about our Age-Friendly Initiative. Please read and learn about what this designation means and more: 

WHAT is an Age-Friendly University? 

  • The Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network represents a growing international effort that builds upon the unique role of colleges and universities in responding to the opportunities associated with an aging population via its core missions (teaching, research, and service).
  • The international effort includes more than 100 universities across Europe, North and South America, Southeast Asia and Australia which aims to harness higher education opportunities that support societal aging.
  • The initiative outlines ten principles to engage older adults via a wide-range of university functions:

Ten Principles of Age-Friendly Universities 

  1. To encourage the participation of older adults in all the core activities of the university, including educational and research programs.
  2. To promote personal and career development in the second half of life and to support those who wish to pursue second careers.
  3. To recognize the range of educational needs of older adults (from those who were early school-leavers through to those who wish to pursue Master’s or PhD qualifications).
  4. To promote intergenerational learning to facilitate the reciprocal sharing of expertise between learners of all ages.
  5. To widen access to online educational opportunities for older adults to ensure a diversity of routes to participation.
  6. To ensure that the university’s research agenda is informed by the needs of an aging society and to promote public discourse on how higher education can better respond the varied interests and needs of older adults.
  7. To increase the understanding of students of the longevity dividend and the increasing complexity and richness that aging brings to our society.
  8. To enhance access for older adults to the university’s range of health and wellness programs and its arts and cultural activities.
  9. To engage actively with the university’s own retired community.
  10. To ensure regular dialogue with organizations representing the interests of the aging population.

WHO leads the AFU initiative at USF?

Research Assistant Professor Lindsay Peterson in the School of Aging Studies serves as the AFU coordinator of the initiative at USF. She can be reached at ljpeterson@usf.edu.

WHERE is the AFU located at USF?

  • The AFU initiative at USF is system-wide, across all USF campuses.
  • The initiative is virtually managed via the School of Aging Studies.  

HOW do I learn more, provide input or participate in the AFU initiative at USF? 

Use the Contact us link on our webpage to share any comments, feedback, or  inquiry about how you can get involved with our initiative.

WHY did USF join the AFU Network?  

  • Membership in the AFU Global Network aligns with the USF mission to conduct high caliber scholarship, deliver a world-class educational experience and partner with our communities to shape our future – regionally, statewide, nationally and globally.
  • Recognition as an AFU advances a system-wide approach that builds upon USF existing strengths in teaching, research and service to older adults and population aging - one of world’s most pressing issues of our time. 

WHAT’S NEXT?

While we plan to advance our commitment to all ten principles, we look forward to specifically furthering the following two principles over the next five years:

Principle # 6: To ensure that the university’s research agenda is informed by the needs of an aging society and to promote public discourse on how higher education can better respond to the varied interests and needs of older adults.

Principle # 7: To increase the understanding of students of the longevity dividend and the increasing complexity and richness that aging brings to our society