Can pensioners bring back buzz to university life?

With students and staff often on site only two days a week, UK universities have felt much emptier in recent years. But an unlikely demographic could hold the key to restoring campus footfall: pensioners.

The operators of nearly 100 “university retirement communities” across the US are confident that the unusual model can also succeed on the other side of the Atlantic. This month US experts responsible for several leading higher education-linked communities will be in London to meet university leaders to discuss potential partnerships.

The model has proved a massive hit with highly educated retirees keen to participate in the numerous academic, cultural and sporting events typically held on campus each week, explained Andrew Carle, founder of University Retirement Communities, which advises universities and retirement communities on this unique set-up.

“These communities are selling out before they are even open, they stay full and there are waiting lists,” said Carle, adding that “a lot of major universities are putting together partnerships of this kind”.

“Many universities have very structured lifelong learning activities on campus so retirees are keen to engage in these activities, both formally, via structured courses, or informally. Then there are the sporting events that happen and many seniors enjoy being around young people,” he continued.

Students can also benefit from a “highly educated demographic” keen to pass on skills and wisdom to the next generation, with retired professionals taking part in mentoring schemes, said Carle.

“It’s a triple win, really – retirees are happier and healthier living near campus, students benefit, and institutions can also enjoy a new income stream,” he said.

With many Americans forging lifelong bonds with their alma mater, for some retirees there is a certain nostalgic appeal to returning to old student haunts, said Carle.

“Some of our most powerful memories come from the ages of between 15 and 25 – living away from home for the first time, falling in love, graduating. There is a reason why people wear that college sweatshirt for 50 years.”

That said, many retirees in the college-linked communities have no prior affiliation to the university on whose grounds they live, said Carle. “Half of them never went to that particular university but they become de facto alumni and very loyal to that institution.”

Universities typically do not own or run the retirement communities themselves but will lease part of their estate to operators or license their brand to those seeking partnerships, he said.

“Having a university campus on your doorstep is an attractive proposition for many retirees and there are strategic benefits to higher education institutions too – it shows they are engaging with the community and with an important, growing demographic. It is also a useful revenue stream.”

jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com