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Christopher Wren Association  The College of William and Mary

WHO WE ARE
We are an organization of people from a variety of backgrounds.  We share a common interest in continuing learning experiences and intellectual stimulation. There are no tests or grades. Members participate purely for the joy of learning.

Though we are sponsored by The College of William and Mary, we are self-supporting. Our courses and activities are planned and operated by our members. We design our own curriculum. We arrange for volunteer instructors from The College of William and Mary faculty (current and retired), from our own membership, and from the community at large.

Membership in the Christopher Wren Association (CWA) also provides an opportunity for a variety of social interactions. Class breaks offer members a chance to greet old friends and make new ones over coffee, tea, and cookies.

HOW WE ARE MANAGED
We are managed by a board of directors, all of whom are members of the association.   A list of the current board members appears inside the front cover of the catalog. The President is elected for a one-year term. All board members are elected for three-year terms (the President-Elect serves one year, becomes the Presidentr the second year, and becomes the Immediate Past President the third year), with five of the fifteen director positions expiring each year. New directors are elected at the annual Members Meeting each spring.

MEMBERSHIP TYPES
Regular Membership for a semester is $85 per person. (Waiver of this fee for economic reasons can be arranged on an individual basis. Call 221-1079 or 221-1505 to request an application blank for waiver of fee.) The Regular Membership fee includes one to 12 Class Units -- spread over a twelve-week semester -- in any combination a member chooses, Town and Gown/Brown-bag lunches and other scheduled activities (listed in the back of this catalog), and eligibility to participate in all additional functions sponsored by the association. The fee does not include books and materials for classes or the cost of Special Events. The Swem Library of the College offers Regular Members borrowing privileges through membership in The Friends of the Library at a reduced rate of $50. Please present your current CWA name badge at the circulation desk to receive an annual borrower’s card.

Associate Membership for a semester is $35 per person.  This fee entitles one to enroll in the Town and Gown/Brown-bag lunch series, receive the newsletter, participate in Special Events (listed in the back of the catalog), and serve on committees of the association.  Associate members may not attend activities.

REGISTRATION

Each course has a course number, a title, and number of units.  All regular members of CWA are allowed up to 12 units a semester.  You may choose to have all 12 units in session A, or all in session B, or you may spread your 12 units over A, B, and C, in any combination you wish, as long as the total number of units does not exceed 12.

Using the registration form in the catalog, enter the course number, then the name of the course, and then the number of units. PLEASE INDICATE YOUR SECOND CHOICES.  If you do not indicate second choices and your first choices are not available, your check will be returned. Both first and second choices should be listed in oreder of preference.

Registration is by MAIL ONLY.  Registration is on a first come, first serve basis using random selection each day. It begins on the first day that completed applications are received. Please use a separate enrollment form and send an individual check for each person enrolling.  Two blank forms are included for your convenience in the catalog. They may be photocopied if you need additional copies. 

AS A COURTESY TO OUR INSTRUCTORS AND FELLOW MEMBERS please select your courses with the intention of attending all sessions. Absentee registered students result in unutilized classroom space and missed learning opportunities for other members.

For courses with restricted enrollment of 40 or less, anyone enrolled who is unable to attend is asked to notify the CWA office so a substitute attendee may be added from the course registration waiting list. If, during a semester, a Regular Member wishes to attend a class or course for which he or she is not registered, he or she should call the CWA office to determine if space is available.

You can download the registration form in Adobe Acrobat format. Print this form, complete it and mail it in.

OPEN ENROLLMENT

Beginning September 4, classes that have space for additional students will be open for enrollment to Regular Members on a first-come-first-served basis until classes are filled - no additional charge. You can pick up a list of the filled classes at the Member Reception, or check this Web Site. Regular Members interested in attending one or more of these unfilled classes may enroll by phoning the CWA office at 221-1506 (This number ONLY) or by Email: ChrisWren@wm.edu. Requests will be handled on a first-come-first-served basis. There is no added fee and no 12-unit limit on these sign-ups. We will not confirm this registration. We will only notify you if you were NOT able to get into the class.

REFUND POLICY

Cancellations will not be accepted after the first day of class.

REQUIRED AND SUGGESTED READING

Required texts and suggested readings are available at The College of William and Mary Bookstore.  For CWA members the Bookstore offers discounts on a limited number of items.  At the time you are considering a purchase you may ask if a discount is applicable.  Your current CWA badge serves as your I.D.

NAME BADGES
With confirmation of your course choices you will receive a name badge.  You may pick up the holder at the Members Reception, or at your first class.  The badges of all NEW members (regular and associate) will be coded with a blue dot.  Your name badge will display your name and the current semester.  You must wear your name badge for admission to classes and other CWA events.  Thank you for your cooperation.

WHEN WE BEGIN
The semester will open with a reception for all members on Wednesday, September 3, at 2 P.M. in the Wightman Cup Room of William and Mary Hall on the college campus. This event provides an opportunity for all members to meet CWA board members, to enjoy refreshments, and to get to know one another and learn about the association.

WHERE CLASSES ARE HELD
Since classes are held in several locations, be sure to check the course descriptions for the locations of your classes.  Refer to the Parking Instructions section. Parking instructions will be sent to you with your confirmation letter when you register.

GUEST POLICY
Christopher Wren classes and activities are intended for Christopher Wren members. A member’s guest from out of town may attend a class or an activity as long as attendance is not limited. A local person may be invited as a guest only once and only if that person needs to decide about joining Christopher Wren. The Christopher Wren office must be informed prior to any guest attending. Guest name badges will be available, and to ensure fairness and facilitate administration of this policy, name badges must be worn to all classes and activities.

HANDICAP ACCESS
Elevators are available at the William and Mary Hall and at the Campus Center. Any member with a handicapped parking permit and a yellow CWA parking permit may park in any faculty/staff parking place.

IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER
If a class has to be canceled because of bad weather, you will be contacted by the office concerning makeup time.  The date will be determined by the availability of meeting space and the decision of the instructor and class members. On the first day of a snow, we will cancel if the Williamsburg public schools are closed. Following that, the decision is made based on condition of roads and parking lots. A notice will be placed on voice mail at the office (221-1079 and 221-1505).

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