Purpose: The goal of this paper is to present baseline results from an evaluation of an
intergenerational university program for older adults at the University of Valencia (Spain). The
“Nau Gran” was initiated during the academic year of 1999-2000 with 71 older adult students
and it now serves 572 students. The structure of the program allows older adults to attend
classes, collaborate in research projects, and share facilities and resources at the university.
Older adult students share with younger students the instruction and academic activities.
Method: Using a quasi-experimental design Time 1 data was collected from a sample
of 428 older adults participating in the program at the beginning of the Fall semester 2002.
Data from same and new participants will be collected again at the beginning of Fall 2003. The
questionnaire included socio-demographic information and items regarding health, social
network, community participation, university integration, intergenerational relations, university
involvement, academic and instructional aspects of the program, and quality of life. In addition,
qualitative data was collected using four focus groups of older students in the program.
Results: The final sample included a total of 216 freshmen, 131 sophomores, and 81
seniors participating in all seven itineraries (Psychology, Art History, Humanities, Geography
and History, Health, Social Sciences, and Sciences). The response rate at Time 1 was 70%.
Socio-demographic data indicated that older adults attending the “Nau Gran” have high levels
of physical and functional health. The initial analyses of outcomes of the program, based on
these cross-sectional data, showed significant incremental differences by length of exposure to
the program with regards to: perceived social network, social integration and overall
satisfaction and quality of life as reported by older adult participants. On average, older adults
in their third year indicated higher levels than participants in their second year in the program.
In addition, About 60% of older adult students declared that they know and use the Libraries,
and only half of them reported to know and use the Computer lab and personal computer.
However, senior students indicated higher levels of knowledge and use than the rest. Students
indicated the need to improve the methodology (more active, participative), didactic style
(more dialogue and interaction in class), activities (more extracurricular activities), coordination
(more flexibility and curriculum development), and community involvement.
Convention