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
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WHO leads the AFU initiative at USF?
Professor Kathy Black in the School of Aging Studies serves as the AFU coordinator of the initiative at USF. She can be reached at kathy@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