{"id":37,"date":"2026-01-06T22:07:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T22:07:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/?page_id=37"},"modified":"2026-01-07T20:41:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T20:41:38","slug":"age-friendly-university","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/age-friendly-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Age-Friendly university"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CSU is the first in Colorado to be designated as an Age-Friendly University<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In July 2021, Colorado State University was the first higher education institution in Colorado to be named an Age-Friendly University by the Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network<\/strong><\/a>, an international group of colleges and universities committed to understanding and fulfilling the needs of older adults in higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier in the year, CSU underwent an analysis of its programs, policies, and practices involving older adults to identify strengths and weaknesses regarding age friendliness and inclusivity. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts and Lasell University provided the framework for the analysis and later reported that CSU had an overall age friendliness score of 73% in 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the AFU designation, the Center has taken on a leading role in spearheading CSU\u2019s initiatives to broaden educational possibilities for older adults, foster inter-generational learning, and develop a research agenda focused on aging-related issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ten Principles of an Age-Friendly University<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. To encourage the participation of older adults in all the\u00a0core activities<\/strong>\u00a0of the university, including educational and research programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. To promote personal and career development in the second half of life and to support those who wish to pursue\u00a0second careers.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. To recognize the\u00a0range of educational needs<\/strong>\u00a0of older adults (from those who were early school-leavers through to those who wish to pursue Master\u2019s or PhD qualifications).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. To promote\u00a0intergenerational learning<\/strong>\u00a0to facilitate the reciprocal sharing of expertise between learners of all ages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. To widen access to\u00a0online educational opportunities<\/strong>\u00a0for older adults to ensure a diversity of routes to participation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. To ensure that the university\u2019s\u00a0research agenda<\/strong>\u00a0is 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. To increase the understanding of students of the\u00a0longevity dividend<\/strong>\u00a0and the increasing complexity and richness that aging brings to our society.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. To enhance access for older adults to the university\u2019s range of\u00a0health and wellness<\/strong>\u00a0programs and its arts and\u00a0cultural activities<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. To engage actively with the university\u2019s own\u00a0retired community<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. To ensure regular\u00a0dialogue<\/strong>\u00a0with organizations representing the interests of the aging population.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Age-Friendly Strengths at CSU<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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